Comparative digestive physiology and metabolism of the red deer and the sheep

J.A. Milne

Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPY, U.K.

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1980, 40: 151-157

Differences between the red deer and the sheep in voluntary intake, digestibility, mean retention time and nitrogen and energy metabolism are outlined. Seasonal changes in the voluntary intake and energy metabolism for red deer are large and the changes in voluntary intake are shown to be related to changes in the amount of digesta in the rumen and in rumen capacity. It is concluded that the differences in digestive physiology and metabolism are unlikely to have a major effect on the biological efficiency with which a pastoral resource would be utilized.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998