This experiment was conducted to examine possibility and suitability of forest by-product as a roughage source of deer. As a experimental diet, forest by-product silage(FPS) and commercial mixed ration(CMR) were prepared to compare dry matter intake,...
This experiment was conducted to examine possibility and suitability of forest by-product as a roughage source of deer. As a experimental diet, forest by-product silage(FPS) and commercial mixed ration(CMR) were prepared to compare dry matter intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and feeding bahavior in feeding trials with spotted deer. The digestibility of dry matter was highest(P<0.05) in CMR than in FPS. The digestibility of crude protein was higher in CMR than in FPS and there was significant difference(P<0.05). CMR had more digestibility of crude fiber than FBS but the difference was not significant. Dry matter intake were similar in both diets. Digestible dry matter intake was higher in CMR than FPS, however, there was no significant difference between experimental diets. Nitrogen intake, urinary and digestible nitrogen were significantly higher(P<0.05) in CMR than FPS. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization was higher for FPS than for CMR. Feeding behavior were similar in FPS and CMR. Consequently. It would be expected that FPS that composed with various feed sources can be used as a good roughage source of deer. Because it has high digestibility, dry matter intake and internal availability of nitrogen.