Seasonal Variation in the Body Composition, Carcass Composition, and Offal Quality in the Wild Fallow Deer (Dama dama L.)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the seasonal variation in the body composition, carcass composition, and quality of edible internal organs from the fallow deer hunt-harvested in the summer (n = 9) and the winter (n = 10) seasons. The weight and proportion of the mesenteric and omental fat were greater for the animals harvested in the winter (1.12 kg and 2.75%) compared to those from the summer season (0.43 kg and 1.02%). The winter-harvested animals had more perinephric fat (0.75 kg and 1.84%) than those hunted in summer (0.26 kg and 1.84%). The gastrointestinal tract of the fallow deer hunted in summer was more filled with feed and therefore heavier (7.92 kg) compared to those from the winter season (5.16 kg). The proportion of fat was significantly greater in the carcasses obtained in winter compared to the summer season (6.55% vs. 3.79%). No seasonal variety was found in the physicochemical characteristics of the edible offal, but the content of extractable fat was significantly affected by the season. In conclusion, the effect of the season on the slaughter value of the hunt-harvested fallow deer was limited to a variation in the proportion of some of the internal organs and affected the fat deposition in the body of the examined animals. The season significantly affected the fat content in the carcass and the extractable fat content in the examined offal.

Edible Offal as a Valuable Source of Nutrients in the Diet—A Review

“…Studies show that breed, rearing method, or genotype does not significantly influence the weight and percentage of offal [ 20 , 22 , 69 , 72 , 73 ], with the heart weighing approximately 0.4 kg (0.35%), the kidney 0.34–0.40 kg (0.3%), the tongue 0.25–0.30 kg (0.25%), the lungs 0.67–1.013 kg (0.53–0.77%). Similarly, research on wild animals such as zebras, donkeys, antelopes, wildebeests, and fallow deer indicates no significant seasonal effect on the weight and proportion of internal organs [ 39 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ].…”

“…The nutritional use of offal is relatively unstable and has no small impact on the state of the livestock sector [ 88 ]. This affects the range of offal products, which is much smaller compared to the range of meat products [ 74 ].…”

“…The heart, lungs, and liver of pigs contain less protein compared to the corresponding offal of wild boars [ 58 , 78 ]. In contrast, the season of the year does not affect the chemical composition and protein content of offal [ 74 ].…”