Effects of winter feeding level on the performance of red deer calves (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to determine the effects of a high winter feeding level on the performance of red deer calves from weaning to 15 months of age.Two groups of 10 calves in each group were fed indoors from weaning to turn-out on good quality hay ad libitum. They received concentrates for 197 days, the first group (treatment H) ad libitum, and the second (treatment L) a daily quantity of 616 g dry matter (DM). At turn-out the two lots were grouped together for 149 days on natural pastures containing grass species characteristic of the area.During the indoor period, treatment H calves consumed 2·5 times more concentrate than those in treatment L (272v.110 kg DM) and 2·8 times less hay (48v.234 kg DM). They weighed 19·6 kg more at turn-out (88·9v.69·3 kg). The difference in weight decreased to 8·8 kg at 15 months of age, but varied according to sex. This reduction of the weight gap between groups was due to the better adaptation of treatment L to pasture and to compensatory growth resulting from a higher grass intake after turn-out.It is concluded that despite the good performance of treatment H animals in winter, a high energy level of feeding is only advantageous in certain cases. It is of benefit to animals that are to be slaughtered at 1 year of age and to lateborn calves, and can improve the frame development of females in their first breeding season.