| Feature | Fallow | Reds | Elk |
| Species | Dama dama | Cervus elaphus | Cervus canadensis |
| Female | Doe | Hind | Cow |
| Male | Buck | Stag | Bull |
| Young | Fawn | Calf | Calf |
| Min Mate weight | 30Kg | 80Kg | 160Kg |
| Season | March-May | March-April | March-April |
| Gestation | 230 days | 234 days | 255 days |
| Fawn/Calve | November-January | November-December | November-December |
| Avg Birth Weight | 5Kg | 8Kg | 18Kg |
| Wean - F | 20Kg | 40Kg | 70Kg |
| Wean - M | 25Kg | 50Kg | 85Kg |
| 15 Month-F | 37Kg | 80Kg | 170Kg |
| 15 Month-M | 50Kg | 110Kg | 220Kg |
| Mature-F | 50Kg | 110Kg | 230Kg |
| Mature-M | 100Kg | 250Kg | 400Kg |
| Avg DSE-F | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
| Avg DSE-M | 1.5 | 3.5 | 7.0 |
| Velvet | 600gms | 3.0Kg | 8.0Kg |
NOTES ON "QUICK COMPARISON" INTERPRETATION:
- All the above figures are a rough guide. There are too many
subspecies and "crosses" to be specific. For example
there is a large difference between the two subspecies
of Cervus canadensis - manitobensis and nelsoni.
One is better for meat production and the other grows
much better velvet. The same is true for both Fallow and
Red deer where some subspecies may grow better velvet,
or have a larger frame than, another subspecies.
- Weight of all mature animals will vary throughout the year.
- The minimum mating weight is more a guide for your
management than the weight at which the female will conceive.
- The mating season is triggered by the decrease in day length.
- The gestation period of each species could vary up to 7 days of
the figure given.
- The fawning/calving time should be managed to coincide with
pasture availability.
- The weaning time is generally accepted to be in March/April
except in the case of Fallow which is May/June.
- 1 D.S.E (Dry Sheep Equivalent) is the energy required by a
Merino wether weighing 45 kg. to maintain its weight.
The figure is used to make a comparison of how many animals of a
particular type can be run per hectare. i.e. 1 mature Fallow doe
will eat as much as 1.2 Merino wethers in order to maintain its
condition. A mature bull elk will eat as much as 7 wethers.
It is important in working out the how many head you can run
on your land. The local Department Of Natural Resources and
Environment should have figures available for your area.
- It is important to take into account the seasonal pasture growth patterns of the area your farm is in, or the area you intend to buy land in. You should try to establish your deer farming enterprise around this pattern and the seasonal requirements of the particular deer you intend to farm. This will greatly reduce your supplementary feed requirements.
Fallow Buck
Elk Bull
Red Stag
Page courtesy of VicDeer
Go back to the top of this page.