Deer farming is economically important as for commercial venison, velvet antlers, trophy hunting, and other by-products. To improve production, feeding deer with high-quality protein and balanced amino acid content is important for adequate muscle growth and production, particularly for winter survival when food is scarce and in poor food sources. Ruminally-protected Lysine and Methionine are encapsulated amino acids which protect them from rumen degradation and are released for absorption in the small intestine, making it highly available for the animal.
Recent research by the Animal Physiology and Behaviour team on yearling fallow deer bucks show that adequate combination of these amino acids improves first antler growth (antler weight and burr perimeter), growth and internal fat storage for winter survival.
Ceacero F, Clar MA, Ny V, Kotrba R (2020). Differential effects of ruminally-protected amino acids on fattening of fallow deer in two culling periods. Animal, 14:648-655.
Ny V, Kotrba R, Cappelli J, Bureš D, Clar MA, García AJ, Landete-Castillejos T, Bartoň L, Ceacero F (2020). Effects of Lysine and Methionine supplementation on first antler growth in fallow deer (Dama dama). Small Ruminant Research, 187:106119.