2015 Volume 86 Issue 3 Pages 367-374
The Yeso sika deer captured around Lake Akan in Hokkaido, were investigated sex and age differences in the feed intake, weight gain, and feeding performance on short-term rearing. The deer were 6 females and 3 males aged 1 year and 3 females and 4 males aged 2 years old or older (adults) captured in March 2011. The animals were reared from July to October by feeding them hay, alfalfa hay cubes, beet pulp and flaked corn. The dry matter intake and body weight increased until September, and the increases stopped thereafter, with both parameters showing a similar pattern. The weight gain of adult females decreased in May-July due to parturition, was then stagnation. The body weight increased during the rearing period in 1-year-old males and females. The body weight and daily gain were significantly greater in 1-year-old deer than in adults (P < 0.01). The weight of carcass and total meat were significantly higher in males than in females, and in 1-year-old deer than in adults (P < 0.01). These findings clarified that meat production and weight gain are markedly influenced by the gender and age, adult males produce more meat, and the weight gains of 1-year-old males and females were the highest.
