BODY WEIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM-RAISED FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA L.) OVER THE WINTER PERIOD

• Main Authors: P Janiszewski, B Dmuchowski, A Gugołek, R Żełobowski
• Format: Article
• Language: Bulgarian
• Published: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture 2008-11-01
• Series: Journal of Central European Agriculture
• Subjects: fallow deer; deer farming; body weight.
• Online Access: http://jcea.agr.hr/articles/544_BODY_WEIGHT_CHARACTERISTICS_OF_FARM_RAISED_FALLOW_DEER_(DAMA_DAMA_L_)_OVER_THE_WINTER_PERIOD_en.pdf

The aim of this study was to determine the body weight characteristics of fallow deer fawns and does over the period from weaning to the time the animals are put out to pasture, as well as to analyze seasonal variations in their body weights during the winter months. Before the winter the average body weights of fawns, 1.5-year-old does and older does were 24.30 kg, 35.64 kg and 44.60 kg respectively. After the winter the average body weights were as follows: fawns that spent the winter with does in the wintering ground – 22.98 kg, fawns that spent the winter under a shelter – 25.60 kg, does aged 1.5 years – 34.28 kg, does older than 2 years – 42.20 kg. It may be concluded that wintering under a shelter had a positive effect on the body weight gains of fawns.