Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide basic information to allow improved nutritional management for velvet production by investigating the effects of dietary protein levels on dry matter intake and production and chemical composition of velvet antler in spotted deer (Cervus nippon). Twenty-four spotted deer stags were assigned to 4 unreplicated groups, Control (15% CP in diet, higher dry matter), CP10 (10% CP), CP15 (15% CP) and CP20 (20% CP). The velvet antlers were harvested from each stag on the 55th day after casting of the buttons from the previous set, measured for their size and weight, and the chemical composition of each antler was determined in three sections (top, middle, and base). Dry matter (DMI) and crude protein (CPI) intake were highest (p<0.05) for the Control and increased progressively (p<0.05) with increasing dietary protein level. Although not significant, mean length and girth of the main antler beam tended to be larger in either left or right beam with increasing protein level in the diet, longest in CP20 and shortest in CP10. Velvet antler production was lowest in CP10 and highest in CP20, which differed significantly (p<0.05). Only negligible differences were found between groups in chemical composition. It is concluded that dietary protein clearly influenced dry matter intake and velvet antler production, whereas there was comparatively little effect of dietary protein on chemical composition of antler in
Highlights
Deer have greatly been valued for many years as a source of velvet antler and they have mainly been farmed for velvet antler production in oriental countries
There is high concern for improvement of productivity and quality of velvet antler in deer farming industry and much research has done on relationship between velvet antler production and nutritional condition
Dry matter intake was highest (p
Summary
Deer have greatly been valued for many years as a source of velvet antler and they have mainly been farmed for velvet antler production in oriental countries. Velvet antlers have widely used for oriental medicine in Korea and other oriental countries (Fennessy, 1989) and are major sources of revenue for deer farmers. With increasing demand for velvet antler, deer farming is becoming a rapid growing industry as an alternative industry of animal husbandry in many part of world, including Korea, North America, and New Zealand (Sim, 1987). There is high concern for improvement of productivity and quality of velvet antler in deer farming industry and much research has done on relationship between velvet antler production and nutritional condition.
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