The composition of moose milk following late parturition

Abstract

Two hand-reared moose cows conceived and gave birth to calves in captivity. Parturition in one cow occurred during mid-August with the calf dying as a result of dystocia. Both cows were hand-milked for the first week of lactation to determine yield and °/o lactose, protein, fat and total solids content in the milk. Although milk yields were low from these moose, milk was extremely concentrated with respect to protein and fat content, while milk lactose remained low in comparison to that of a Holstein cow. Production of concentrated milk may be beneficial for the survival of cervids such as moose which inhabit ephemeral environments with a short growing season.