Effects of stocking density on the behaviour and growth of farmed red deer hinds

The aim of this experiment was to measure the effects of stocking density on the social behaviour, activity patterns and growth rates of yearling red deer hinds reared at pasture. Twenty individuals were assigned to two groups of 10 in a latin square design. During period 1 (28 days), group 1 was ke...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied animal behaviour science 1998-03, Vol.56 (2), p.297-307
Main Authors: Blanc, Fabienne, Thériez, Michel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACTIVIDAD FISICA
ACTIVITE PHYSIQUE
Agricultural sciences
CARGA GANADERA
CERVUS ELAPHUS
COMPORTAMIENTO SOCIAL
COMPORTEMENT SOCIAL
GRAZING
Growth performance
GROWTH RATE
INDICE DE CRECIMIENTO
Life Sciences
PASTIZALES
PASTOREO
PASTURES
PATURAGE
PATURAGES
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Red deer
SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Space allowance
STOCKING DENSITY
TAUX DE CHARGE
TAUX DE CROISSANCE
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Summary:The aim of this experiment was to measure the effects of stocking density on the social behaviour, activity patterns and growth rates of yearling red deer hinds reared at pasture. Twenty individuals were assigned to two groups of 10 in a latin square design. During period 1 (28 days), group 1 was kept at a low stocking density (LD: 37 animals/ha) and group 2 at a high stocking density (HD: 150 animals/ha). During period 2 (28 days) the groups were switched and tested at the other stocking density. Aggressive encounters (kicks, bites and butts) and vigilance postures were more frequent at HD than at LD. There was no difference between the two densities in the total time spent grazing per day, but the hinds at HD had shorter and more frequent meals than the hinds at LD. The synchronisation of grazing was also lower at HD than at LD. The hinds grew faster at LD than at HD. The effects of stocking density on growth and grazing behaviour were more severe for subordinate than for dominant hinds. In conclusion, high stocking density induced a social stress that affected grazing patterns and growth rates, especially in subordinate individuals.
ISSN:0168-1591
1872-9045
DOI:10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00080-4