THE EFFECT OF WINTERING CONDITIONS ON THE BODY WEIGHT AND CARCASS QUALITY OF FARM-RAISED FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA)

J. Cilulko, P. Janiszewski, T. Daszkiewicz

Abstract: Farm-raised fallow deer are a source of meat characterized by a high nutritional value and high processing suitability. A variety of treatments can be applied to modify the final quality of carcasses obtained from farmed fallow deer and red deer. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that limited exposure to adverse weather conditions in the winter contributes to higher body weight gains and superior carcass quality in young farmed male fallow deer. The results of our study indicate that wintering under shelter limits exposure to adverse weather conditions in the winter and has a positive effect on body weight gains and carcass dressing percentage in farm-raised fallow deer. During a six-month
experiment, the average body weight of control group fallow deer increased by only 2.43 kg, compared with 6.88 kg in the experimental group (at similar initial body weights in both groups). Highly significant differences between groups were found in the weight of four out of the five analyzed carcass cuts. Significant differences between groups were observed with regard to the percentage share of four carcass parts too. The lean meat content of the neck, shoulders and legs was highly significantly higher in experimental group animals.

Keywords: deer farming; fallow deer; slaughter value

Date published: 2017-09-15