Energy nutrition of young red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds
and a comparison with young stags
J.M. Suttie, P.F. Fennessy, B.A. Veenvliet, R.P. Littlejohn,
M.W. Fisher, I.D. Corson, R.E. Labes
Invermay Agricultural Research Centre, Mosgiel
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1987, 47: 111-113
Nine red deer hinds run as 2 groups were fed to appetite on a
concentrate diet, indoors, from 5 to 17 months of age. Group food
intake and individual liveweight gains were recorded. Food intake
varied seasonally with greater amounts being consumed in summer than
winter. Similarly liveweight gain was faster in summer than winter.
From the relationship between intake and liveweight gain it was
calculated that the hinds need 0.52 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg
0.75/d for maintenance and require 55 MJ ME/kg for liveweight gain.
These values result in slightly higher requirements for hinds than
previously reported. In comparison with age matched stags, hinds have
lower amplitude seasonal fluctuations in food intake and live weight and
although maintenance requirements are similar between the sexes, stags
require less energy for growth.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Metabolisable energy; red deer hinds; maintenance; growth; food
intake
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Last Updated 03-05-1997
