Meet the Fallow!

 

Fallow are originally from overseas but are very widespread in the United States now. Fallow males are larger than females and have palmated antlers while females are smaller with no antlers. Much like native deer and axis, the fallow grow their antlers, strip their velvet, rut/breed and then drop their antlers. Fallow rut in the fall and have their fawns the next summer. They can have a single fawn or twins, although a single is most common. Fallow can be a variety of colors from a deep dark chocolate color, to shades of red/rust spotted, to white! The fallow we have here at our ranch are used specifically to form calm herds that are easy to handle. We bottle raise the majority of our babies. This enables us to be able to easily work around them, treat them if they become ill, minimize stress, monitor their condition, and overall enjoy them! The fallow here (again like the axis) love certain kinds of horse treats and fruits, but their favorite is animal crackers. They spend all day grazing out in their pasture with their friends and return to the safety of the barn for the evening. Our livestock guardian dogs accompany them at all times to protect them from stray dogs, coyotes, or anything that could cause them harm. Deer are flight animals which makes them very high risk for running into an object or fence fleeing from danger. The livestock guardian dogs are literally lifesavers and the deer have learned to trust them and rely on them. Fun fact about our fallow, they are the most curious of our deer and really enjoy interacting with our guests!