A STUDY ON MANAGEMENT OF BARKING DEER WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON HOUSING , FEEDING, PRODUCTIVE & REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AT CHITTAGONG ZOO, BANGLADESH.

Abstract

The study was conducted on the management including housing, feeding, productive and reproductive performance of barking deer in captive condition at Chittagong Zoo. Data were collected for a period of 3 months from 19 deer from 10 June to 10 August on all age and sex group . The deer were kept within an open enclosure measured as 66.52sq.m with a fence of chain link mash, 3.6m in height. A small tin shed room of 10.5m x 8.5m in size has been kept for protecting the deer from natural calamities. Available feeds supplied to deer were Gram, Rice bran, green gourd, pumpkin, Carrot and Amloki. The average birth weight of males and females were ranging from 3.25-4.0 kg and 2.75-3.5 kg, males and females weaning weight were ranging from 10-12 kg and 08-10 kg respectively and adult males and females weight were ranging from 25-30 kg and 20-25 kg respectively. It was also observed that the weaning age, length f estrous cycle, age at first fawning and gestation length were ranging from 4-6 months; 12-20 days : 14-18 month and 7-¬8 month respectively. From the study, it was also observed that the feeding of barking deer need to be updated according to their nutritional requirement following some standard and overall management needs to be improved as well.