Abstract

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.

JE, Wolff, RL Baker, PM Dobbie, AJ Ford, and RB Jordan

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 47, , 93-98, 1987