Liveweight change of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) calves after weaning
2016
Parfianovics, M., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Kairisa, D., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia)
The article analyses the data obtained while evaluating red deer calves on the red deer breeding farm ‘Dumpji’ during the herd’s annual prophylactic check-up in December and April of the years 2013 and 2014. Farm is a private enterprise owned by a company located in Northern Latvia. The study comprises data for calves born in 2013 (n = 36) that were born from the same hinds, but from different stags in consecutive years. It was discovered that the calves’ liveweight gain in 24 hours significantly decreases during wintering period. After the wintering smaller body mass was observed in calves of both sexes born in 2014; however, the body mass of bull calves born in both years of reference considerably exceeded that of the hind calves. In the group of hind calves born in both years of the study period the liveweight loss was observed during the wintering. Nevertheless, at the age of 1.5 years the lowest liveweight among hind calves was 82.4 kg (year 2013), and the highest 129.6 kg (year 2014). In the group of spikers, during the winter period liveweight loss was not observed. Analysis of the results revealed a close positive correlation between the liveweight in December and the liveweight in the spring among spikers and heifers alike. The conducted analysis of influencing factors attests to the fact that the liveweight at the age of six months has material impact on the animals’ liveweight both in the spring and at the age of 1.5 years.
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