Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Management practices used by white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania and herd health problems.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Brooks, Jason W & Jayarao, Bhushan M
- Affiliation:
- College of Agricultural Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
A study looked at how white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania manage their herds and what health problems these deer face. The researchers sent out a questionnaire to 233 farm owners and managers, finding that herd sizes varied widely, from just one deer to as many as 350. Most farms raised deer for breeding or hunting, while a smaller number kept them as pets. The study found that larger herds tended to use more vaccines and veterinary services, but many farms still didn't use enough preventive health measures. Common health issues included respiratory problems, diarrhea, parasites, and sudden deaths, with respiratory diseases being more frequent in larger herds. Overall, the findings suggest that while herd management practices differ with size, many farms are not using enough preventive care for their deer.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine current management practices used by white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania and identify animal health problems that exist in these herds. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. STUDY POPULATION: Owners and managers of 233 farms in Pennsylvania that raised white-tailed deer. PROCEDURES: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to participants. RESULTS: Herds ranged in size from 1 to 350 deer. Land holdings ranged from 0.07 to 607 hectares (0.17 to 1,500 acres). Stocking density ranged from 0.1 to 118.6 deer/hectare (0.04 to 48 deer/acre). Most (84%) respondents raised deer for breeding or hunting stock; 13% raised deer exclusively as pets or for hobby purposes, and purpose varied by herd size. Multiple associations were identified between management or disease factors and herd size. The use of vaccines, use of veterinary and diagnostic services, use of pasture, and use of artificial insemination increased as herd size increased. The most common conditions in herds of all sizes were respiratory tract disease, diarrhea, parasitism, and sudden death. The prevalence of respiratory tract disease increased as herd size increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that many aspects of herd management for white-tailed deer farms in Pennsylvania were associated with herd size, but that regardless of herd size, many preventive medicine practices were improperly used or underused in many herds.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18167117/