Predicting Energy and Nitrogen Retention in Young White-Tailed Deer

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Abstract
To estimate carrying capacity of habitat for white-tailed deer (O. virginianus), it is necessary to know the energy and nutrient needs of various age-classes of deer and the value of various diet components in meeting these needs. To define energy requirements of young deer, age, weight and intakes of digestible N and digestible or metabolizable energy from 207 balance trials were used to predict body retention of fat, protein and energy. Caloric requirements for body energy maintenance were determined for fall and winter fawns and summer yearlings. Using maximum body protein or energy retention as criteria for maximum growth, caloric requirements for maintenance-plus-growth were determined in fall fawns and, based on protein retention only, in summer yearlings, which will be useful in estimating carrying capacity.

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