Im not familiar with that type of deer but the white tailed deer here love field corn.

I'll try that. This morning she was very skitish and I could hardly get near her. Its a process of patience.

Maybe her baby was near. Where in the UK are you? I have lots of friends there..

Hi Lisa. I live in Suffolk. Its been really cold here and I think the deer has some sort of mange or skin condition where her fur is coming out in patches. She'd have cold spots all over her backside. She brought her little son to see us this morning. When I go out to feed her, he disappears, so I just have to be content to put the nuts out and watch them from the window.

It is, without a doubt, not a good idea to feed a wild animal...especially an introduced species that is one the verge of becoming something of a pest. This little deer is considered a major threat to native woodland areas.

Yes I know rhizo. I'm always in two minds about doing it. Firstly, the deer get too trusting of humans. I'm an animal lover but others aren't. What people don't think about is...they were introduced by who...? Humans! We have to have some empathy for them. We made this mess so we have to put up with it. We don't live in native woodlands. Unfortunately there isn't many parts of UK left with native woodlands...due to humans. When I see an animal injured I try and help it out, no matter what it is. I've been known to rescue mice from the cat and let them go. Cats....! Now there's an introduced species that have desimated most countries native species. I hate to see it happen...but I like cats. Sharing this Earth with all creatures is important. I see both sides of the coin but I must go with my conscience.

Your strong sense of sympathy (which I totally understand) is leading you down a path that is not in the best interests of the animal. Feeding creates an environment in which they might breed more than under normal conditions. More breeding means increased population, means more starvation, road deaths, illness, etc. Feeding them makes them unfearful of humans and puts them into more danger. It's simply unhealthy.

It is well documented that the strongest and healthiest animals live in an environment in which populations are kept in balance...either by natural means or by humans.

Yes, we have made this mess, but we don't have to put up with it. And we certainly shouldn't foster it. If these deer haven't become a public nuisance in your community yet, they probably will. At that point, they will probably need to be culled and feeding will become subject to fines.

I sure hope that it doesn't happen, because those little deer are precious.

You make some good points and I agree totally. I notice that the skin condition on the doe is now on the buck. I'm wondering how bad it could get before it impacts on their health. They've had a few fawns, they breed all year round. If I could be firm I'd adopt your stance. I was busy this morning at the usual time the doe comes to get handouts so my husband stepped in to do it without me knowing. I glanced out to see him sitting there talking softly the same as I do and the doe coming close and very interested in the nut container he had in his hand. I couldn't help but feel the warmth of caring he gave her and sensed the trust. There's a part of me that will always faulter and help them along and I know he's the same. Some of us just can't help interferring in nature. Nature is a rough place to be so there will always be soft hearted people like my husband and I. It brings us closer together too. It can't be all bad.

Could the skin condition be a normal "molting" type thing as spring is coming?

How are the deer doing??