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Winter feeding regimes for 16-22 month old red deer stags and hinds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

D. G. Chapple*
Affiliation:
ADAS Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford, HR1 3PG, United Kingdom.
D. W. Deakin
Affiliation:
ADAS Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford, HR1 3PG, United Kingdom.
M. H. Davies
Affiliation:
ADAS Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford, HR1 3PG, United Kingdom.
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Extract

Farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) are highly seasonal animals and thus the majority of venison is available during the autumn and winter months. To compete with other red meats, alternative marketing systems for venison need to be developed. Previous ADAS trials have shown that red deer can be finished intensively at 10-12 months of age by extending day length (Davies et al, 1995) but it incurs increased feed costs. An alternative strategy to lower production costs is to reduce growth rates and finish deer at 24-26 months of age. Preliminary trials have shown (Davies and Deakin 1998) that silage only diets, during the second winter, are not sufficient to maintain body weight and a small supplement is required. However the type of supplement needs further investigation. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of feeding high energy and protein diets to yearling deer during their second winter, on winter growth and subsequent performance at grass.

Type
Cattle Nutrition
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

Davies, M. H., Parkinson, T. J., Douthwaite, J. A. and Deakin, D. W. 1995. Effect of extended photoperiod manipulation on appetite, growth and reproductive endocrinology in red deer stag calves. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, March 1995 p.539 Google Scholar
Davies, M. H. and Deakin, D. W. 1998. Growth responses in red deer hinds from 16-24 months of age when fed two energy levels during their second winter. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, March 1998 p.141 Google Scholar