AbstractCastration of fallow deer (Dama dama) at 7 months of age resulted in a depressed growth rate to slaughter at 20 months of age, compared with entire bucks. The castrated bucks were significantly lighter at 15 and 20 months of age respectively (P < 0·001). The mean carcass weight of castrated bucks was 6·2 kg lighter and their dressing proportion 0·07 lower than entire bucks. The potential loss of income per carcass is equivalent to A$27·00 per castrated buck at 1984 prices, with a further potential loss of A$30·00 per head from velvet antler production prior to slaughter, if this is deferred until 2 years of age. It is suggested that the only advantage that castrated bucks would have over dean tiered entire bucks occurs during the rutting period of 3 to 6 weeks from early April, when entire bucks are extremely aggressive, and difficult to confine and transport without risk of injury and bruising of carcasses.
The consequences of living longer—Effects of an experimentally extended velvet antler phase on the histomorphology of antler bone in fallow deer (
Dama dama
)
