Red deer (Cervus elaphus). Some biological and production aspects of maintenance – an overview

Abstract

Reindeer breeding, as a branch of animal husbandry, is gaining more and more popularity in Ukraine. A network of aviaries and farm complexes is developing. At the same time, the conditions of keeping deer require modern approaches to the formation of criteria for assessing the welfare of deer, the development of new or improvement of existing animal feeding or feeding systems, monitoring of their diseases, and preventive measures. As a result of our analysis of published scientific sources of literature, the research of domestic and foreign scientists was directed at solving these problems. Emphasis is placed on the peculiarities of digestion in deer and the critical role of intestinal microbiota in promoting digestion and absorption in the host's body. It is concluded that to ensure high productivity throughout the year, it is necessary to feed deer with optimal content of metabolic energy (ME), protein, and trace elements in the rations, taking into account the physiological needs of the animals or the stage of the production cycle, the age of the animals, their sex and the season of the year. In general, adult deer (230‒250 kg) requires an average of 19, 35, 42, and 28 MJME/day in autumn, winter, spring, and summer, respectively, according to a constant level of crude protein (21.1 ± 4.0, 14.7 ± 1). ,0, 11.1 ± 1.1, and 6.5 ± 0.8 (in spring, summer, autumn, and winter). provision, especially in the first year of life. The difference in the need for deer in macroelements is significant. It is well-founded that 0.4 % Calcium and 0.3 % Phosphorus are present in the rations of this animal species. corresponds to 0.75 and 0.40 %. Young animals need 0.6 % Calcium and 0.4 % Phosphorus in their diet. The recommended level of minerals and vitamins for deer of different age groups is poorly reported. for animals, vitamin A – 4500 IU/kg, vitamin D3 – 1100 IU/kg, and vitamin E – 90 IU/kg. At the same time, for young deer, the need for these limiting vitamins is higher on average by 10‒40 %. Animals should receive a sufficient amount of trace elements with feed (Selenium – 0.25 mg/kg, Cobalt – 0.3 mg/kg, Copper – 15 mg/kg, Ferrum – 250 mg/kg, Manganese – 100 mg/kg, Iodine – 1 mg/kg, Zinc – 75 mg/kg).