What kind of food is best for Sika deer
An introduction to the best food for Sika deer and the correct breeding methods, for netizens to explore. Let's take a look together.
Sika deer have strong adaptability and are widely bred in both the south and north. They have high economic value and their entire bodies are treasures. Almost everything on Sika deer has high medicinal value, so the breeding prospects and economic benefits of Sika deer are very promising. So, how should Sika deer be bred? How much do you know about the breeding techniques of Sika deer?
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I. Living Environment
Sika deer are heat-resistant but not cold-resistant, with a suitable temperature range of 8℃ to 25℃. When the temperature rises, they hide in the deer house or under the shade of trees. Even when the temperature drops to -5℃ to -10℃, they can still move freely and their feeding is not affected. They enjoy rain and snow and prefer cleanliness. They are timid and easily startled, enjoying group living. Fawns have a high survival rate and grow rapidly. After one year, male deer can reach over 50 kilograms. They mature early, with males and females able to breed at 1.5 years old, and their fertility is strongest between 3 to 4 years old. They are competitive and sensitive. During the breeding season, males and females often fight with each other, being aggressive and dominant. If not separated in time, it can lead to death. During the period from February to July when male deer grow antlers, they become gentle and careful in their actions. Deer have developed senses of smell, hearing, and sight, and are sensitive. They often react with a "stampede" when encountering sudden sounds or unexpected situations.
II. Feeding Management
Sika deer are ruminant herbivores, and they can be fed with various succulent feeds, supplemented with grain and legume concentrates and mineral feeds. They prefer oak leaves, sweet potato vines, and others, followed by corn straw, rice straw, wheat straw, etc.
1. Feed preparation. Roughage should be cut short and ground into grass powder. To improve feed quality and digestibility, corn straw, rice straw, and wheat straw should be ammoniated. Method: Spray a 3% to 5% urea solution evenly on the straw, pile it on a concrete floor or solid ground, cover it tightly with polyethylene plastic film, and press the edges with loess. At a temperature of 20℃, it can raise the temperature inside the straw pile to 40℃ to 60℃ within 3 weeks. Then, uncover the film to allow the ammonia gas to dissipate thoroughly before use. Feeding deer with ammoniated straw can increase digestibility by over 10%. The roughage, including ammoniated feed, can account for more than half, mixed together to avoid selective feeding. The concentrate feed consists of 60% corn, 20% bran, and 20% cakes, with an appropriate amount of flour and salt added.
2. Feeding management: (1) Male deer from January to late March is the initial antler growth period, April to August is the antler growth period, late August to mid-November is the breeding period, and late November to mid-January is the recovery period. During the antler growth period, recovery period, and breeding period, the daily feed intake is controlled at 3 to 4 kilograms, including 1 to 1.5 kilograms of concentrate, 1 to 1.5 kilograms of succulent feed, and 2 to 3 kilograms of roughage, fed twice daily. During the breeding period, more succulent green feed is given. During the antler growth period, the daily feed intake is 7 to 8 kilograms, including 2 to 3 kilograms of concentrate, 2 to 3 kilograms of succulent feed, and 3 to 4 kilograms of roughage, fed 2 to 3 times daily. (2) For pregnant female deer, provide nutritious feed, with more high-quality, palatable feed in the later stages, with a daily feed intake of 3.2 to 4.5 kilograms, including 1 to 1.5 kilograms of concentrate, 1 kilogram of succulent feed, and 1 to 1.2 kilograms of roughage. After delivery, during the lactation period, the feed should be rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. The daily feed intake is 5.7 to 7.5 kilograms, including 1.2 to 1.5 kilograms of concentrate, 1.2 to 2 kilograms of succulent feed, and 3 to 4 kilograms of roughage, with sufficient stone powder and salt. Concentrates are fed 2 to 3 times daily, and roughage can be freely eaten by the deer. The deer pen should be clean and quiet, and pregnant female deer should not be startled or roughly handled to prevent illness and abortion. After the fawn is born, wipe away the mucous membrane on its body to help it feed on the colostrum as soon as possible and then assign it an ear tag. Fawns can be naturally or artificially breastfed. Artificial breastfeeding must ensure that the fawn receives colostrum. The daily feed intake is 2.5 to 4 kilograms, including 1 to 1.5 kilograms of concentrate, 0.5 kilograms of succulent feed, 1 to 2 kilograms of roughage, with an appropriate amount of stone powder and salt. If conditions permit, organize grazing with male and female deer separated to prevent early mating.
III. Timely Breeding to Improve Viability
Select large-antlered, fast-growing, and high-quality deer as breeding stock. Sika deer start to mature sexually at 1.5 years old and are better for breeding at 2.5 to 3 years old. Female deer come into estrus from September to October, and during estrus, they are excited and restless, with mucous discharge from the corners of their eyes, abnormal odors, increased vaginal discharge, and a tendency to approach males. During estrus and breeding, prevent male deer from fighting by using a small group breeding method, with 4 to 5 female deer and 1 male deer per group, changing the male deer in the group after a certain time to make it easier to conceive.
IV. Scientific Antler Harvesting
Antlers can only be harvested in the third year and the yield increases annually. Harvesting antlers must be done scientifically and with skilled technique. When harvesting antlers, protect them from damage to maintain quality. When harvesting, first anesthetize the deer with a tranquilizer gun, then secure it on the ground. Handle the deer firmly, cut the antlers gently and quickly, and apply styptic powder after cutting. The second batch of antlers can be harvested after half a month, but it should be completed before mid-August to allow the wound to heal early. During the antler cutting season, there is often a lot of rain, so antler corruption and spoilage can be prevented by drying treatment.
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