Some production outcomes when management practices and deer behaviour interact

Abstract

There are three key times during the year when deer management interacts with behavioural needs to influence pr oductivity. At calving time , average neonatal losses are 10-12%. The most common causes of perinatal mortality are dystocia, starvation and misadventure. Observational studies have shown that loss of contact between the hind and calf, calf beating by hinds and entanglement of calves in fences are consequences of calving environments with high stocking densities, that lack vegetative or topographical cover, allow disturbance by humans, or provide unfamiliar social or environmental conditions. Weaning is a second critical production phase when management affects pr oductivity. Early post-weaning growth rates in calves weaned before the rut are not influenced readily by feed quality. Reducing weaning stress using management tools such as confining the calves indoors for a few days, or adding some unrelated hinds to the weaned group can improve weight gains at this time. Another option is to delay weaning until the calves are older. Mating time is a third critical period dur ing which management needs to take behavioural needs into account. Appr opriate stag-hind ratios and management at mating that increase the chances of conception have been identified. Suitable social conditions at mating differ between yearling and adult hinds. Fence line pacing is frequently observed at the above three critical times and can occur at other times of the year in response to unfavourable conditions. Pacing consumes energy and contributes to erosion and fence maintenance requirements. Attention to the behavioural needs of deer can help improve performance through appropriate management systems. Keywords: behaviour, calving, fence pacing, management, mating, weaning