2. Preconditions for successful breeding

The precondition for successful breeding is selecting genetically established blood lines. Having chosen
the right genetics it is vital to use only high quality breeding hinds. Suitable breeding hinds are far more
important for the success of the farm than  a capital sire stag.  It is equally important, for breeding
purposes, to select only animals of good temperament. The location is also vital: good pastureland and a
natural water supply should be available. Red deer need water not only to drink but also for hygiene
purposes. Damp, muddy areas in the park are very important so that the deer can cool down and protect
themselves against midges in summer. On the whole, Red deer prefer autumn and winter to summer.
Temperatures of  -30 and more in winter are no problem for Red deer. To ensure successful breeding,
not only are factors like correct genetic selection and  the right location important, but also the need to
keep the animals free of parasites throughout the year. To achieve this it is important that the animals
can be herded into a deer crush where individual animals can be injected where necessary against
internal parasites (lung worms, liver fluke, round and intestinal worms). A balanced and appropriate diet
is also vital. In summer pasture grazing is sufficient. In winter spent hops mixed with a mineral-enriched
feed and hay are ideal. he mineral-enriched feed should contain copper, selenium, calcium, phosporous
and salt. A balanced diet as well as peace and quiet are important factors for successful breeding.

Breeding hinds with calves in July, 6 weeks after the birth of the calves

3. Planning and setting up a deer farm/park with all the necessary handling systems

Before setting up a deer park, it is advisable to employ a specialist to help with the planning stages. The
layout of the park is extremely important. The best solution is to have a raceway running through the
middle of the park along which the animals can be herded. It is then possible to move the animals via
this central raceway to other paddocks to ensure even grazing. Similarly this raceway can also be used
to herd the animals to the handling yard where they can be restrained and sorted. After the handling yard
it is necessary to have a deer crush so that an individual animal can be held without sedation. After the
deer crush there is a quarantine pen where injured animals can be isolated and treated. Animals which
are to be sold also have to be isolated in a quarantine pen after being medically examined – this is an
EU regulation. It is vital that any animal can at any time be brought to the  handling yard without first
being sedated. Sedation has its risks as animals react differently to anaesthetic. There are animals
which can be sedated after a small dose (2ml) and others which are still standing and become
aggressive even after 7ml. Those that require high doses – 4ml and more – also need an antidote, to
ensure that they get up again. The weather is also an important factor. The risk of losing an animal after
sedation is higher if the temperature is +15 degrees Celsius or above. Sedation should not be carried out
if the temperature is above  +22 degrees Celsius. Coppices, bushes and boggy areas should be
incorporated into each deer park. It is also a good idea to have bushes between individual paddocks to
act as a screen. It is advisable to have three times as many paddocks available as herds ie there should
be 15 paddocks available for 5 herds. It is possible to keep between 5 and 10 animals per hectare,
depending on the quality  of the  grazing. However there should not be more than 10 animals per hectare
and not more than 20 animals per herd as any resulting stress could endanger the health of the stock.

 
Mechanical deer crush (left) A stag restrained without the use of sedation (right)

  
Raceway leading to deer crush (left) Quarantine pen (right)

4. The marketing of meat and trophies

The demand for healthy, low-cholesterol meat is on the increase. Venison is ideally suited to the
production of ham, salami and pâté, thereby increasing the net product. Speciality venison products are
considered real delicacies in Europe and therefore have a high market value. The breeding of capital
trophies is even more effective. The antlers of the Red deer are, for hunters, among the most sought-
after. In traditional hunting countries such as Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania and Poland, the shooting of
capital trophies can often have a price-tag  as high as 20 000€ and may even exceed that. In Bulgaria,
Hungary and Serbia stags have often been shot at a price of over 50 000€. As the hunter is in such
cases only interested in the trophy, which he takes home, the meat  of such animals can be made into
various venison products and then be sold, bringing additional profit.

 
Capital Red deer stag, approx 260 CIC points (left) A many-pointed stag, approx. 16.5kg antler weight (right)

5. The construction of game fences (for deer farms) using high-quality materials.

The demands placed on a game fence are extremely high, which is why it should have the  following
features and fulfill certain requirements: the woven wire fencing must exhibit exceptional resistance to
impact, it must keep its shape and in addition it must not  rust and certainly not tear.

It is important to have continuous horizontal and vertical wires – they must not be interrupted by a knot. The
knot must be a separate piece of wire! The wires must not be more than 15cm apart so that the animals
cannot trap their heads between the wires.

The fence posts determine the stabilty and durability (min. 30 years) of a game fence. It is for this reason
that only fence posts should be used which have been suitably treated, and which are of sufficient diameter
and length. Line posts  should have a diameter of 13 cm and a length of 350 cm.
Corner posts should have a diameter of 20cm and a length of 370 cm. Only posts which can be driven
into the ground exhibit sufficient stability. The soil which is displaced as a result of driving the posts into
the ground will be firmly compressed around the post. For a 220 cm high fence the line posts must be
driven to a depth of 130 cm and the corner posts to a depth of 150 cm into the ground. The line posts
should be spaced not more than 5m apart and the corner posts not more than 4m apart.

 
Line posts, 13 x 350cm, 5m apart (left) Corner and box  posts 20 x 370cm, 4m apart (right)

A strong, durable fence over or through which animals from inside cannot get out and animals on the
outside cannot get in is an absolute must in game farming. Game must feel safe in the park– wild
animals, wolves and stray dogs must not be given the chance to gain access. The quality of the fence
plays an important role in the success of the farm. Only first class material should be used in the
construction of the fences.

    
The post driver (left) A change of direction in the fence (middle) Authors of the report - Susanne + Elmar Ernst (right)

If all these criteria are taken into account, your deer farm will be crowned with success!