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Food Consumption of Barking Deer (muntiacus Muntjak Zimmermann) in Captivity

Salma Ahmed
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Noor Jahan Sarker
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The daily food consumption of a barking deer, Muntiacus muntjak, in captivity was 6.48 kg. per day. The consumption was the highest in winter (6.60 kg/day) followed by summer (6.50 kg/day) and monsoon (6.35 kg/day). It was observed that this species preferred grasses followed by granular food and then vegetables. The individuals were found to take their food in the morning and evening more eagerly than the rest of the time. The male was more active than the female during feeding and they did not quarrel with each other. After feeding they took rest under a shaded place within the enclosure. Key words:

Keywords: Barking deer, Food, Consumption,

Location: Dhaka Zoo, Mirpur, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-11-1998

End Date: 00-10-1999

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

To assess the food requirements of the barking deer, M. muntijak.

Methodology:

The study was undertaken in the Dhaka Zoo, Mirpur, Bangladesh, with the permission of the respective authority from November 1998 to October 1999. The food consumption of M. muntjak was observed in three days per month. The observations were made early in the morning and in the afternoon. There were 16 barking deers including five males, seven females and four subadults. The average body weight of the barking deers was 24 kg. The consumption of all foods by each barking deer was assessed by averaging the consumed food by 16 deer in the enclosure no. L24. The grill height was 10 ft, the length of the cage was 115 ft and breadth 48 ft. There was also a water tank and some shaded places. The food items were grasses (Cynodon sp., Cyperus sp., Altenanthero sessilis) granular food (the bran of Triticum aestivum, Lathyrus, sativus, Sesamum iindicum) and vegetables (Solanum sp., Benincase cerifera, Lagenaria vulgaris, Cucumis sativus, Carica papaya, Cucurbita maxima, Saucus carota, Brassica campestris, Colocasia eaculenta, Raphanas, sativa, Apinacea oleracea). In addition to the granular food 15 g of iodine salt was supplied for each deer. The supply of food items depended on their availability in a season. All observations were made during day time as the barking deers are diurnal animals. Food was supplied always in the morning from 9.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Zool. 34(1): 127-131, 2006

Article Link (Online Journal): www.zsbd.org.bd/uploads/images/journal/15._Salma.pdf

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In the present study, it was observed that the barking deer consumed a larger amount of food in winter than in the other seasons of the year. Food selection was primarily conditioned by the environmental situation and the red deer, the voluntary food intake increased during winter. During feeding barking deer group size was large. The fallow bucks occasionally join groups of females in open areas used for feeding. In the feeding station, the highest number of groups was observed. They also noted that the highest percentage of groups was observed in the morning when supplementary feed was delivered. In captivity, the male were more active than the females in the feeding period. The male ate more hay than the females. The adult females ate more pasture than the adult males. Females were found in a place where pasture is more abundant. In the present study the deer did never feel disturbed when the visitors came close to the enclosure. The fallow deer seemed to adapt very well to the presence of humans. In the present study each barking deer took 15 g of iodine salt per day. Most of the farms provided concentrated salt licks as feed supplements. There was always sufficient water available in each enclosure. Care should be taken that there is always sufficient water available, water shortage decreases the digestibility of food; especially of cellulose and deer will lose weight.

Knowledge Management: Journal