Effects of seasonality and feed quality on the feed requirements and live weight gain of young deer - a review

Abstract

Red deer are a species that exhibit marked seasonal cycles in reproduction and growth in response to changes in day length. Changes in food intake throughout the year are primarily a function of the changing drive to grow within the animal in response to changing photoperiod, but may be modified by other factors including the energy content and type of diet, climate, and the physiological state and age of the animal. Feed quality also changes with season and red deer change their response to quality between seasons. This may be based on diet selection or on changes in digestive and metabolic processes. Keywords: feed quality, red deer, seasonality