Key Points of Feeding and Management Techniques for Adult Male Deer During the Antler-Growing Period

The physiological activities of adult male deer are strongly seasonal. Based on their different physiological and production characteristics in each period, the production of adult male deer is divided into four periods in practice, as follows: (1) antler-growing period (mid-March to early August), (2) mating period (late August to early November), (3) recovery period (early November to mid-January of the following year), (4) pre-antler-growing period (late January to early March). The above production periods are not completely separate from one another, but are interconnected and mutually influential, while each has its own characteristics.

The antler-growing period of male deer is generally in spring and summer, when food is abundant, the deer's metabolism is vigorous, growth is enhanced, and body weight increases markedly. From the shedding of the old antlers and the start of new antler growth in March to April until early August, adult male deer can generally gain 15 to 30 kg. Autumn is the mating season, when the deer's sexual activity is frequent, appetite declines markedly, and body weight decreases. After the mating period ends, the deer's sexual activity enters a relatively quiescent state, appetite begins to increase, and body condition gradually recovers, preparing for the next year's antler growth. In production, scientific feeding and management should be carried out by period according to this pattern in order to achieve good results.

Based on the characteristics of male deer during the antler-growing period, such as vigorous growth and metabolism and high nutritional requirements for antler growth, the following points should be noted in feeding and management in production.

(1) Strengthen nutrition. The antler-growing period of adult male deer is the period of most vigorous growth in the year. Not only does their weight gain require abundant nutrients, but antler growth also requires higher-quality energy and protein feed.

According to the nutritional needs of deer, scientifically and rationally formulating a fully nutritious daily ration is the key to feeding male deer during the antler-growing period. At the same time, it should be noted that when increasing the feeding amount, it should be increased gradually to prevent the occurrence of feed refusal or gastrointestinal disease caused by too rapid an increase. The daily feeding amount of concentrate for sika deer is 1.5 to 1.75 kg, and for red deer is 2.5 to 4 kg. Roughage can be tender branches and leaves or silage, etc. Deer should be kept with sufficient roughage intake. Generally, roughage accounting for 40% to 60% of the dry matter of the consumed daily ration is appropriate. This can both meet production needs and save feed costs.

In production, for deer that have finished harvesting the first crop of antlers, the concentrate feeding amount is mostly reduced by 1/3 to 1/2 to lower costs. However, for deer older than 6 to 7 years, because they shed their antlers earlier and the production time of the second-crop antlers is relatively long, the corresponding nutritional level should be maintained in production. Maintaining nutrition for more than 20 days can produce 100 to 150 g more of second-crop fresh antler, far exceeding the cost of the feed consumed.

(2) Reduce stress and prevent collision injuries. During the antler-growing period, male deer should be exposed to fewer visits by outsiders, external noise should be reduced, and a quiet production environment should be maintained. Feeding and pen cleaning should be done by designated people at fixed times to reduce unnecessary stress and prevent male deer from damaging their antlers due to herd panic. Promptly stop bad habits such as head-butting and antler gnawing to reduce unnecessary antler damage.

(3) Strengthen sanitation and epidemic prevention, and reduce disease. During the antler-growing period, pens should be disinfected regularly to prevent disease occurrence. Water troughs, feed troughs, and the ground should be disinfected with a 2% caustic soda solution, and drinking water can be disinfected with 0.5% bleaching powder. Feed troughs, water troughs, and drinking water should be kept clean and hygienic so as to give full play to the deer's due production performance.

(4) Prevent heatstroke and lower temperature, and ensure drinking water. Summers are hot, and deer generally feed in the morning and evening. In production, in line with this characteristic, feed should be given in the morning and evening. Pens should have shade shelters for the deer to lie down. When necessary, deer should be trained to be sprayed with well water for cooling, and sufficient clean drinking water should be ensured, preferably cool well water. Where conditions permit, shower equipment or bathing pools can be set up. At the same time, manure and residual materials should be removed promptly to help the deer grow antlers healthily. Anesthesia and antler sawing should be carried out in the morning and evening to reduce the danger caused by rumen bloating after anesthesia due to hot weather.

(5) Do a good job of market research and harvest deer antlers reasonably. Do a good job of market research. According to the deer's own antler growth and development characteristics and market demand, reasonably harvesting two-branch or three-fork antlers is the key to achieving good economic benefits. This link should be reasonably considered in deer farm management.