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health
Health in our deer
How many times have we heard the phrase "You are what you eat"? This simple axiom is the fundamental key to health for all forms of life. Food, as we generally understand it, is a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, to which each species (man included) has developed individual digestion systems. Deficiencies in any part of our diet manifest themselves in due course; animals also require their "Daily Bread", and likewise suffer if their diet is lacking in any of the key areas.
Herbage is converted to beef, lamb, venison, milk, etc., according to the species of animal. We also supplement the intake of domestic animals to improve conversion of pasture and health where we know there are deficiencies in the freely available herbage. But how many of us have taken the time to find out the specific dietary requirements of the deer (as opposed to sheep or cattle that may be sharing the same land) we are responsible for? Did you know that one of the main reasons deer browse trees is to obtain the trace elements and minerals that their deeper roots tap into?
It is well accepted that most (if not all) of the Red & Sika deer range in the UK is to a greater or lesser degree deficient in trace elements such as Copper, Magnesium, Selenium, etc, and that the herbage growing there is also lacking in these elements which are vital to the overall health of all wildlife living on it (study papers showing the effects on grouse and other wildlife are available). Ask yourself: How good is the feeding (including trace elements) for your hinds and their unborn calves - your future stock?
Deer are quite able to survive on a "high fibre" diet, but are nonetheless specific in their requirements concerning trace elements; it is also an accepted fact that whilst a calf born below average weight will never grow to be "Monarch of the Glen", a calf produced above average weight has every possibility of developing into a better quality animal. You, as the deer manager can help achieve this.