Effects of Dietary Protein Level on Production and Chemical Composition of Velvet Antler in Spotted Deer (Cervus nippon)

The aim of this study was to provide basic information to allow improved feeding management for velvet antler production by investigating the effects of dietary protein level on production and chemical composition of velvet antler in spotted deer (Cervus nippon ). Eighteen male spotted deer of 5~6 years old were assigned to 3 unreplicated groups by production record of the previous year. Deer were fed on experimental diets at different protein level of 10% (T1), 15% (T2) and 20% (T3). Dry matter intake, crude protein intake and daily gain were increased with increasing the protein level in diets and there were significant differences (P