Factors affecting liveweight gain in red deer calves from birth to weaning

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Abstract
The pre-weaning growth of two groups of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) calves born at Invermay in the 1984 and 1985 seasons was studied to examine factors influencing gain and to provide estimates of correction values for estimating calf breeding values. Growth patterns were similar for both years. Male calves were on average 0.9 (SED .+-. 0.2) kg (10%) heavier than female calves at birth and 4.8 (.+-. 0.8) kg (13%) heavier at weaning, with average growth rates of 384 g per day and 336 g per day, respectively. The growth rate from birth to mid lactation was 63 g per day greater than that from mid lactstion to weaning. Birth weight was positively related to dam mating weight with a 0.33 kg increase in birth weight corresponding to a 10 kg increase in dam weight. The square of the metatarsus length at birth and birth weight were strongly related (R2(adj) = 63%). Least squares modesl are given between early, later, and overall growth rates to weaning adjusted for sex and dam weight, and either metatarsus length squared or birth weight. In all instances, the square of metatarsus length explained more of the variation in growth rate than birth weight. Coefficients derived from the models including birth weight suggest a 1 kg increase in birth weight corresponded to an increase of 19 .+-. 3 g per day in early calf growth, to only 6 .+-. 5 g per day for later growth, and 14 g per day over the whole period. Dam liveweight made a smaller contribution to variation in calf growth rate with a 10 kg increase in dam mating weight corresponding to a 10 g per day increase in growth rate from birth to weaning.