Effect of Concentrate Supplementation on Feed Consumption, Nutrient Utilization and Blood Metabolite Profile in Captive Spotted Deer (Axis axis) Fed Oat (Avena sativa) and Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) Fodders Based Diet

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to determine the optimum level of a maize-soybean meal-wheat bran concentrate supplement fed to captive spotted deer fed an oat and berseem fodder-based diet. Twelve adult spotted deer [64-76 kg body weight (BW)] were distributed into three groups of four each and were housed individually. A diet consisting of 5 kg of oat fodder and 5.5 kg of berseem fodder was offered to each one of the experimental animals. The animal in group I received no supplementary concentrate, whereas, those in groups II and III received 0.5 and 1 kg of supplementary concentrate, respectively. A 60 days digestibility trial was conducted with a 5 days collection period on Days 55-59 of the trial. Blood samples were collected from all animals on Day 60 of the experiment. Average daily dry matter intake (DMI) was 1,224, 1,613, and 1,574 g/day in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake was lowest (P < 0.01) in group I. Intake of P, Cu, and Zn was highest (P < 0.01) in group III, followed by groups II and I. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was highest (P < 0.05) in group II. Digestibility of OM and CP was lowest (P < 0.05) in group I. Digestibility of gross energy was highest (P < 0.01) in group III (74.9%), followed by groups II (69.3%) and I (66.2%). Digestible energy (DE) intake (kcal/kg BW(0.75) ) was highest (P < 0.01) in group III (195.4), followed by groups II (180.9) and I (129.8). Initial BW was 72.7, 72.5, and 71.0 kg, whereas, final BW was 71.0, 72.7, and 73.5 kg, in groups I, II and III, respectively. Average daily change in body mass was significantly (P < 0.01) different among the groups. The body mass was lost (-29.2 g/day), maintained (4.1 g/day) and gained (41.6 g/day) in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Blood glucose and cholesterol concentration was highest (P < 0.05) in group III, followed by groups II and I. Serum concentration of Cu and Zn was highest (P < 0.05) in group III, followed by groups II and I. Supplementation of forage only diet with 0.5 kg of concentrate mixture increased intake and digestibility of nutrients, without change in body mass. Animals fed 1 kg of supplementary concentrate received energy in excess of requirements, were consistently gaining body mass and were prone to obesity. Thus, it is a right strategy to supplement forage only diet of captive spotted deer with 0.5 kg of concentrate.

Effect of feeding different levels of wheat roti on nutrient utilization and blood metabolite profile in semi‐captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

“…Such effects are generally observed when basal diets comprised higher proportion of concentrates. Forage consumption of captive ruminants fed forage only diet was higher than those fed diets containing more than 50% concentrates (Suresh et al., ). A similar although non‐significant trend in this regard was also observed in present experiment.…”

Effect of Ca and P supplementation on the haematological parameters and content of selected minerals in the blood of young farmed fallow deer males (Dama dama)

“…This confirms the positive effect of the supplementation applied during the winter period. However, the Ca to Mg ratio is important in the absorption, utilisation, and excretion of these minerals (Somer 1995). Magnesium and calcium act in conjunction; for instance, they are involved in the regulation of nerve and muscle tone.…”

How nutrition influences the distribution and abundance of chital deer (Axis axis) in northern Queensland

“…The effect of haemolysis on serum concentrations of Fe, P and Zn (Table 6.5) would be to elevate recordings beyond in vivo levels, and beyond the physiologically normal range. While this is apparent with Fe and P serum concentrations of Zn were below reference values for chital (Suresh et al 2013) for the majority of those animals sampled.…”

“…However Zn concentrations in chital serum appear marginal based on serum concentrations of clinically deficient cattle (Kincaid 2000), sheep (Paynter 1996) and chital (Suresh et al 2013).…”

“…Tables Table 4. Table 6.5. Mean serum concentrations of selected minerals with standard errors from chital samples (n = 39), along with reference values for Ca, P, Cu, Zn and Fe taken from captive chital in India (Suresh et al 2013) and Na from wild fallow deer (Dama dama) in Australia (English & Lepherd 1981) Chapter 1 Introduction: Chital as an invasive species 1.1 Thesis structure Chapter 1. An introduction to chital occupation of northern Queensland, including the observation that as an invasive species they appear to pose only a moderate threat to agriculture and the environment through population expansion.…”