The effects of grazing chicory (Cichorium intybus) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) on venison and velvet production by young red and hybrid deer

Abstract

The effects of grazing chicory, Lotus corniculatus, and perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture on growth, voluntary feed intake (VFI), and venison and velvet production was studied in red and hybrid deer from weaning to slaughter at one year of age. Twenty five percent of red and 75% of hybrid stags attained the target slaughter weight (50 kg carcass or greater) when grazing pasture and spiker velvet antler weight was low (approximately 0.2 kg/stag). Mean carcass weight of deer grazing chicory was higher than for deer grazing pasture (P < 0.05), due to increased liveweight gain (LWG) in both autumn and spring, and to higher dressing-out percentage at slaughter. Carcass weights for red and hybrid stags were 56.0 and 59.3 kg, respectively, when grazed on chicory and 48.6 and 53.3 kg, respectively, when grazed on pasture (P < 0.01). Hybrid hinds grazing chicory had a significantly higher carcass weight (P < 0.05) and dressing-out percentage (P < 0.01) than those grazing pasture.Chicory had a higher organic matter digestibility (OMD) than pasture, and VFI was higher than on pasture during autumn but was similar in spring. Relative to pasture, chicory grazing increased total spiker velvet antler production (323 v 225 g/stag) by advancing the dates of pedicle initiation, antler initiation, and of first velvet cutting and increasing the rate of velvet antler length growth. Initiation of velvet growth was correlated with liveweight (LW), with each 10 kg increase in LW advancing the dates of pedicle initiation, commencement of velvet growth, and first velvet cutting by 10, 18, and 13 days, respectively. Earlier velvet growth in deer fed chicory could thus largely be explained by the higher liveweight of deer grazing this forage.Observations from deer grazing lotus were limited due to problems with lotus establishment. Grazing lotus increased LWG of stags during autumn compared with perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture (248 v 176 g/day) and increased the efficiency of growth in spring, with LWG being similar to deer grazing pasture, but VFI being lower (1.53 v 2.00 kg OM/day). OMD of lotus was higher than pasture during autumn, but not in spring. Stags grazing lotus produced similar velvet antler weight to stags grazing pasture.Total condensed tannin (CT) concentration in hand plucked and oesophageal fistulae (OF) extrusa samples, respectively, were 48 v 13 g/kg OM for lotus, 3.1 v 5.8 g/kg OM for chicory, and 0.3 v 1.5 g/kg OM for pasture. It was concluded that chicory was of high feeding value for increasing venison and velvet production from young deer. Results suggest that the CT content of lotus may improve the efficiency of growth in young deer.

Duikers: Native food composition, micronutrient assessment, and implications for improving captive diets

“…In contrast to earlier findings in livestock concerning growth-rate depression, Min and Barry [1997] have suggested that grazing on birdsfoot trefoil forage containing condensed tannins actually improved the growth rate of elk (Cervus elaphus). Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) apparently select forage containing at least some tannin over that lacking tannin [Verheyden-Tixier and Duncan, 2000].…”

Growth and chemical composition of chicory and performance of lambs grazing chicory relative to grass–clover mixtures

“…Such improvements were also observed in other studies when artificially parasitized sheep grazed on chicory containing swards relative to conventional grass/clover mixtures (Marley et al, 2003;Athanasiadou et al, 2007;Kidane, 2010). Min et al (1997) reported increased mean carcass weight of deer grazing chicory compared to deer grazing pasture, due to increased daily live-weight gain. This improvement on chicory compared to other conventional grass/clover mixture is often associated partly to the anti-parasitic effects when animals infected with gastrointestinal parasites are involved (Athanasiadou et al, 2007;Kidane et al, 2009;Kidane, 2010).…”

“…The performance of weaned lambs whilst grazing chicory or chicory containing pastures relative to grass/clover mixtures was assessed. We hypothesized that the purported nutritional attributes of chicory relative to grass/clover would be exhibited by improved lamb performance as observed elsewhere with sheep and other livestock (Min et al, 1997;Kidane et al, 2009Kidane et al, , 2010Houdijk et al, 2011) through BW change and higher carcass yield.…”

“…Such species should have a high productivity, good digestibility and palatability to be favoured by grazing animals. Works with chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) in different parts of the world showed improved animal BW (Komolong et al, 1992;Min et al, 1997;Kidane, 2010;Kidane et al, 2010), dressing percentage (DP; Houdijk et al, 2011) and reduced gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep (Athanasiadou et al, 2007;Kidane, 2010;Kidane et al, 2010). These improvements have been associated to multiple factors including, but not limited to, improved mineral composition, improved dry matter (DM) digestibility and anti-parasitic effects of chicory when fed to parasitized animals, compared to other conventional forages.…”

Effects of including chicory in perennial ryegrass–white clover leys on production and health in organic lambs

“…Grazing chicory var. Grassland Puna, as compared to ryegrass and Wana cocksfoot has been shown to increase growth in lambs (Komolong et al, 1992;Scales et al, 1995;Fraser and Rowarth, 1996;Barry, 1998;Michalk et al, 2003) and deer (Kusmartono et al, 1996;Min et al, 1997).…”