Reindeer Raising Methods and Technical Key Points Explained
Reindeer (Kangifertarandus) belong to the order Artiodactyla, family Cervidae, and are animals native to the Arctic and subarctic regions. In our country, reindeer mainly inhabit the dense forests on the northwestern slope of the Greater Khingan Mountains, with an activity range in the area of 120°15′ to 123°35′ east longitude and 51°15′ to 53°15′ north latitude, and they have strong cold resistance. Reindeer have high economic value; their velvet antlers, hides, meat, and milk can all be utilized, and because of their peculiar appearance and docility, they also have high ornamental value in zoos. Reindeer have been kept at Harbin Zoo for nearly 20 years, but previously, for various reasons, the results of keeping and breeding were unsatisfactory. Since 1995, scientific management methods have been adopted for their keeping and breeding, and remarkable results have been achieved. From 1995 to 1998, a total of 11 reindeer were bred, with a breeding rate of 100% for adult females capable of reproduction and a survival rate of 100% for young.
Raising Environment and Methods
1 Natural Overview Harbin is located at 125°15′ to 127°30′ east longitude and 45°20′ to 46°20′ north latitude, with an average annual temperature of 4.5°C, average precipitation of 581.2 mm, sunshine duration of 2461.9 hours, and an average annual wind speed of 3.4 m/s. Because reindeer grow in the Arctic and subarctic regions and are suited to living in cold areas, such environmental characteristics are suitable for the growth, development, and reproduction of reindeer.
2 Raising Environment and Management Methods
2.1 Raising Environment The reindeer in our zoo are kept in the Large Deer Enclosure, introduced from Mangui, Inner Mongolia, 5 in total (3♀, 2♂). The pen area is 360 sq m, with a wind-and-rain shelter facing northeast, with an area of 25 sq m. Tall trees around the enclosure provide shade, the ground is hard ground paved with red bricks, and the exercise yard has two cement feeding troughs built above the ground at 50 cm, measuring 100 cm × 35 cm × 40 cm, as well as two water troughs welded from thick iron plates.
2.2 Feeding Standard In the wild, reindeer mainly feed on reindeer moss throughout the year, followed by the tender branches and leaves of woody plants. Under artificial keeping, environmental conditions have changed greatly; not only is the amount of exercise greatly reduced, but they also cannot freely choose food. In order to balance their nutrient consumption, a certain amount of concentrate feed should be supplied appropriately, while an adequate supply of roughage must also be ensured. After years of exploration and practice by scientific and technical personnel, the following reindeer feed standards for Harbin Zoo were formulated: from May to September, each male deer is fed 2.00 kg of pelleted feed per day, and each female deer 1.75 kg, with unlimited access to three-square sedge or fresh barnyard grass. From October to April of the following year, male deer are fed 2.25 kg of pelleted feed and female deer 2.00 kg, with unlimited dry oak leaves, and depending on the situation, each deer is supplied with 1.5 to 2.00 kg of carrots, kohlrabi, or cabbage. The whole day's feed is given in two feedings, at 8:30 in the morning and 16:00 in the afternoon.
2.3 Feeding Management Methods The keeping of reindeer has strict requirements for the environmental hygiene of the enclosure, so after starting work each day, the enclosure must first be thoroughly cleaned, and the feeding troughs and water troughs washed. Sufficient clean drinking water must be ensured in the water troughs, and the enclosure and feeding utensils must be thoroughly disinfected every 2 weeks. In summer, special attention must be paid to heat prevention; when the temperature exceeds 28°C, water can be sprinkled on the ground to cool it down, and the deer can also be given a shower. From mid-September to mid-November each year is the reindeer estrus period. To prevent accidental injuries or deaths caused by same-sex deer fighting over mates during the mating period, the second crop of velvet antlers should be sawed off in mid-to-late August. In winter, the deer shed needs no heating, and more bedding straw can be added inside the wind shelter. In winter, sufficient drinking water must be ensured. Winters in the Harbin area are cold, and the water in the troughs quickly freezes and becomes solid. To ensure drinking water, warm water can be provided for them to drink, with frequent refilling and changing, and at the same time some clean snow can be kept in the enclosure for them to lick. In addition, the proportion of salt in the feed can be appropriately increased to encourage drinking.