Organic Matter Intake of Three Different Diets Fed to Deer (Axix axis)

A spotted deer breeding center can be successfully developed by providing feed with a good quality and having enough nutrient such as organic matter content in the diet. The main purpose of this study was to examine the feed organic matter intake of three different diets (carrot, feed concentrate, and elephant grass) fed to a group of 21 deer and 9 deer. Feeding of the three diets studied was carried out for three weeks with different diet each week. A group of 21 deer were given carrot (Diet-1) during the first week of the experiment, feed concentrate (Diet-2) during the second week, and elephant grass during the third week (Diet-3). Every day, the deer had free access to water. The consumption of organic matter in feed and the palatability of feed were measured 5 days per week, and the deer were given a two-day adaption period for new feed. A one-way analysis of variance was used to assess the data on feed organic matter consumption (Anova). The organic matter intake was significantly difference (p<0.05) between those of the three difference diets. Those 21 deer consumed organic matter of carrot 12kg/day, feed concentrate 13kg/day, and elephant grass 4kg/day, respectively. The deer take longer time to consume elephant grass compared to that of carrots and concentrates. It was concluded that the different of organic matter consumption of the three diets studied may be due to difference in the nutrient content and the palatability of the feedstuffs.