Open AccessProgress on nutritional requirements of deer farmed for velvet production in China
Author(s) -
Xiuhua Gao,
Yang Fu-he,
L.I. Chunyi,
D.R. Stevens
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
grassland research and practice series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2463-4751
pISSN - 0110-8581
DOI - 10.33584/rps.9.2002.3407
Subject(s) - antler , energy requirement , cervus , biology , zoology , velvet , ecology , mathematics , chemistry , statistics , organic chemistry , regression
Research in China has shown a marked variation in the energy and protein requirements of sika deer (Cervus nippon) for velvet antler production as the stag grows. Information includes energy and protein requirements for male sika deer throughout their life and pregnant and lactating females. Estimates of energy utilization and methane production are also included. Protein requirements during early growth and development of the stag are high, while they decline as the stag ages. Protein requirements during velvet antler growth are higher than during other times of year. The maintenance energy requirements of the male sika deer of 0.52 MJME/ kgBW0.75 are similar to those estimated for red deer. The Chinese system of reporting gross energy, digestible energy and digestible protein requirements has been converted into metabolisable energy requirements and diet protein concentrations for the New Zealand feeding system to aid interpretation. Keywords: Cervus nippon, deer, energy, feed requirements, methane, protein, sika, velvet antler