Artificial rearing of red deer calves

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Abstract
Red deer calves have been successfully reared on milk replacers from within a few days of birth to weaning at 9–12 weeks. In one experiment, eight female calves individually bottle-fed a simulated deer milk, grew at an average rate of 1.67 kg.week−1. One year later in a second experiment, groups of five male calves were fed either a simulated deer milk or a bovine milk substitute with an average growth rate on both feeds of 2.3 kg.week−1. Two calves fed the high lactose bovine milk replacer frequently suffered from scouring; it is perhaps therefore advisable to feed a milk replacer similar in composition to deer milk. However despite considerable care and effort it is likely that some calves will not achieve good growth rates because of their particular temperament, being either reluctant drinkers or particularly nervous individuals.

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