Novel object test in farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) – The impact on appearance, diurnal rhythm and behaviour in the foraging area

Abstract

The fallow deer (Dama dama) represents a typical example of a species in the early stage of domestication, where selection for tameness is not yet complete. In contrast to fully domesticated species, there is still a lack of studies on the behaviour of deer under farm conditions and their response to changes in their environment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the behaviour of fallow deer after the introduction of the novel object (NO) into the enclosure. The herd was observed at the most frequently visited part of the enclosure, i.e. the foraging area near the feeding station. We installed several different Non-animal NOs (abstract object/installation, camping chair, colourful boxes) and Animal NO (animal-shaped toy) with intervening Controls (periods without NO). Results generally showed that time spent at the foraging area decreased in the presence of NO (p < 0.05). This effect was significantly stronger when NO had an animal shape (horse-shaped toy), with the frequency of animal appearance also being lower with frequent complete absence of animals at the foraging area. However, diurnal rhythm of animal appearance did not differ, nor did group size. When looking at the ratio among different behaviours that animals performed in the foraging area (movement, stationary, feeding), we found no differences between the Control and Non-animal NO (feeding 42−43 %, stationary 38–39 %). However, in the presence of Animal NO, feeding behaviours increased significantly (57 %), while the stationary behaviours decreased significantly (24 %). While resting predominated among stationary behaviours in the Control and Non-animal NO treatments (72–75 %), vigilance represented the most stationary behaviours in the presence of Animal NO (58 %). Movement was consistently performed to the same extent (18–20 %). Therefore, the presence of the novel object reduced foraging activity and increased vigilance in fallow deer, and deer breeders should consider this. Avoidance of the foraging area within the enclosure, where animals have fewer alternative food sources, can be particularly problematic. Therefore, preventing or disturbing their regular foraging routine should be minimized to meet basic welfare requirements.