Study on Phenotypic Characters and Reproductive Parameters of Barking Deer under Feeding Management Of Chittagong Zoo, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted on the basis of knowing about the Phenotypic Characters and Reproductive Parameters of barking deer under Feeding management at Chittagong Zoo. Data were collected for a period of 3 months from 04 deer from 1st September 2013 to 30th November 2013 on all age groups. The deers were kept within an open enclosure measured as 66.52sq.m with a fence of chain link mash, 3.6m in height. Available feeds supplied to deer were Gram, Rice bran, green gourd, pumpkin, Carrot and Amloki. The body coat color was reddish and “V” Shaped black colored forehead and black colored muzzle. The ear’s length of males & females were 3-4 and 3.5 inch. The length of foreleg for male and female were 20 and 19 inch and the length of hind leg for male and female were 22 and 21 inch. The length of antlers was 3 inch. Distance from ear to ear of male and female were 3.7 and 3.6inch. The average birth weight of males and females were ranging from 1-1.5 kg and 0.5-0.7 kg, males and females weaning weight were ranging from 10-12 kg and 08-10 kg respectively. Adult male’s and female’s weight were ranging from 25-30 kg and 20-25 kg. It was also observed that the weaning age, length of estrous cycle, age at first fawning and gestation length were ranging from 4-6 months; 12-20 days : 14-18 month and 6-¬7 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.