A Detailed Guide to Musk Deer Farming Techniques and Management Methods

The forest musk deer is also known as the southern musk deer, forest musk deer, black river deer, forest river deer, and fragrant river deer, and is a timid, cowardly animal with a solitary temperament. Although it is a first-class protected animal, it can be bred and raised in captivity. Its farming techniques are described below.

Forest musk deer farming techniques

1. Site selection

When establishing an artificial forest musk deer farm, choose a hillside at an altitude above 1000 m with few people around, a quiet environment, and lush trees and grass, ideally a place where a mountain spring flows out. Protective measures are also needed to prevent the forest musk deer from injuring themselves by bumping into each other when chasing one another.

2. Feed selection

Forest musk deer can be fed apricot leaves, mulberry leaves, Liangzi leaves, black locust leaves, elm leaves, crop leaves, and the stems and leaves of some other herbaceous plants, along with some succulent red and white radishes, pumpkins, apples, sweet potatoes, and so on. In addition, concentrated feed in different proportions must be prepared according to the different developmental stages of the forest musk deer.

3. Feeding methods

Because forest musk deer have different requirements for various nutrients, more than 5 kinds of forage should be given at each feeding, and adjustments should be made in a timely manner according to actual conditions. Artificially raised forest musk deer are usually fed 3 times a day, at 6-7 o'clock in the morning, 1-2 o'clock at noon, and 6-7 o'clock in the evening. In summer this can be slightly earlier, and in winter slightly later.

4. Disease prevention

Common diseases of forest musk deer include enteritis, colds, rumen impaction, chondropathy, and abscess disease. Once a forest musk deer becomes ill, the cure rate is extremely low. To reduce losses caused by illness and death, the key lies in early prevention. For example, keepers must disinfect properly when entering and leaving the farm, the farm site must be disinfected every month, green feed must be fresh and free of blackening, and real-time monitoring must be done well.

Because forest musk deer are rather timid, they should be kept in a quiet environment during normal raising, and should not be startled.