Preference for eight plants among captive white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus in Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Wild white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus consume a diversity of high energy plants. Captive deer, however, do not have access to this diversity, which may affect their productive capacity. A cafeteria test was used to evaluate intake of and preference for eight plant species among captive deer in Veracruz, Mexico. Three replicates were done of five consecutive days of feeding with the selected plants followed by a 15-d evaluation period. One kilogram of material from each plant species was offered each day and intake recorded. Physicochemical analyses were done of all eight species. Intake results were evaluated with an analysis of variance and a Tukey test, and a partial least squares regression analysis was applied to relate intake to plant characteristics. Intake was highest for four plants: Zapoteca acuelata, Bidens pilosa, Pennisetum purpureum and Parthenium hysterophorus. Preference for these species was determined by their fiber and protein contents, and °Brix and pH levels. Diversifying the diet of captive deer could provide additional feed options for producers and increase animal productivity parameters.