The Quality of Roe Deer (Capreolus Capreolus) Diet in the Winter and Spring Periods Based on Rumen Contents

Summary The purpose of this study is to compare the specifics of winter and spring diets of the roe deer using rumen content analysis. A chemical analysis was performed on a total of 13 samples of roe deer rumen contents: 7 samples of winter diet rumen contents and 6 samples of spring diet rumen contents. The following parameters were examined in this study: the level of crude protein and the content of fiber (NDF, ADF and ADL). The results obtained were processed by descriptive statistics and compared using F-tests. Consequently, certain deviations in the quality of roe deer nutrition were found in both winter and spring periods of the year. A lack of protein and energy can pose significant problems to roe deer, especially in the cooler periods of the year. Approximately a total of 17MJ/day is the maximum assumed energy required for animals kept in enclosure. The need for crude protein varies from 30.8% to 34.4% DM. This problem can be tackled if roe deer are adequately fed with quality bulky and concentrated feed, despite the fact that the animals adapt metabolically to seasonal variations.