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What plants are deer resistant


17 shrubs, perennials and annuals |

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If deer are prevalent in your area, then deer resistant plants are an essential addition to your garden.

While deer are shy animals, when hungry they will often stray into gardens and eat prized plants – putting a huge dent in your backyard ideas.

‘One thing to keep in mind is that if the deer are hungry, they will eat just about anything. So even though a plant may be considered deer resistant, it may still be targeted,’ says Jo Ellen Meyers-Sharp, gardening coach and creator of Hoosiergardener , and a member of the National Garden Bureau .

This makes it important to also consider how hardy your plants are, and whether they will easily recover from a deer munching session.

‘Gardeners don’t spend money on their plants to have them be a salad bar for deer, so many gardeners use repellents to keep deer away.’

While you can’t create a 100 per cent deer-proof garden, there is a wide voice of deer resistant plants available to help deter them and minimize any damage.

Best deer resistant plants

Whether you are looking for evergreen shrubs to serve as the backbone of your garden scheme, or annuals to fill in gaps in pots and borders, there are some wonderful deer resistant plants to choose from.

We asked the experts for their top picks.

Deer resistant shrubs

Shrubs provide much of the structure and interest in our gardens year round. Some are evergreen, adding color and interest in every season.

1. Panicle hydrangea

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Panicle hydrangeas – or Hydrangea paniculata – are moderately fast-growing shrubs that are not favored by deer. However, even if they do have a munch, the plants are hardy, so should recover well.

‘Panicle hydrangeas have flowers in the white to pink to light red range. They bloom during the summer months and the flowers last through fall, typically fading to a handsome light tan as temperatures drop before winter,’ says Sam Schmitz, horticulturist for Ball Horticulture .

‘There are many different varieties that range in mature size from 2ft x 2ft to 8ftx8ft. These shrubs are best in full sun but can also tolerate light shade.’

Make sure you know how to grow hydrangeas to get the best out of them.

2. Osmanthus

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‘Osmanthus is an easy-to-grow shrub that can tolerate many different soils and light levels. It is often used for hedging and privacy screens,’ says Michael Giannelli of East Hampton Gardens .

It produces a cluster of tiny white flowers that emit a sweet fragrance similar to magnolias and gardenias.

Its scent and the plant’s spiny leaves also make it unappealing to deer. ‘This has the consequence of making them difficult to handle, although there are smoother varieties available, like Carl Wheeler,’ adds Giannelli.

You can grow osmanthus in USDA zones 7-10.

3. Lavender

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Lavender’s scent may be heavenly to us, but deer tend to dislike it, making it an ideal shrub for your garden.

‘Lavender grows best in well-drained soil with full sun exposure,’ says Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield .

‘It does not require a lot of maintenance, but can sometimes be susceptible to pests like mites and aphids.’

Learning how to grow lavender is easy for gardeners in most climates, however the plant dislikes humidity. Expect to be able to grow it in ​​zones 5a to 9a.

4. Ninebark

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Ninebark – or Physocarpus opulifolius – is a fast-growing, medium to large shrub that typically produces frothy white flowers in late spring and early summer.

‘To add to this, the plants come in foliage colors of bronze-red, burgundy, purple, chartreuse, and a few others,’ says Schmitz. ‘

'These shrubs are quite lovely and very easy to maintain. They are happiest planted in full sun but can tolerate a few hours of shade a day.’

Ninebark is also a great choice for colder climates, and can be planted in USDA zones 2-7.

5. Japanese andromeda

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Japanese andromeda – or pieris – has a distinctive scent that some gardeners like and others avoid – however, it smells particularly unpleasant to deer.

‘Andromeda is sometimes referred to as the lily of the valley plant as its early spring flowers look similar,’ says Giannelli

‘It is a great evergreen shrub that changes color as the season progresses, setting long clusters of buds in fall for great winter interest.’

However, bear in mind that andromeda are fussy about soil type. ’They need very well-drained acidic soil,’ adds Giannelli.

If your soil is more alkaline, then the best thing to do is to grow them in containers. They should thrive in USDA zones 5-8.

6. Red twig dogwood

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

'Red twig dogwoods are mainly grown for their attractive foliage and bright red stems,’ says Schmitz. These particularly come into their own in winter.

The shrubs are deer resistant plants, but if deer do try to eat them, the good news is that red twig dogwoods are fast growing and tolerate harsh pruning, meaning they will easily spring back.

‘They are adaptable to a number of environmental conditions. You can grow them in full sun or up to 50 per cent shade,’ adds Schmitz.

‘Bear in mind that red twig dogwoods can become large over time, but maintaining their size is simple. These can be pruned any time of the year and can be transplanted quite easily.’

Keep on top of maintenance by removing old or diseased canes and keep the shrub looking tidy. 

Grow them in USDA zones 3-8, and also consider other types of dogwoods that can be used, which range from medium shrubs to small trees.

Deer resistant perennials

There are many deer resistant perennials available that will make a beautiful feature in your borders. Discover the experts' top picks.

1. Buddleia

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Also known as butterfly bushes for being highly attractive to these precious pollinators, buddleia are not appealing to deer.

‘Though shrubs, buddleia behave more like woody perennials, as in colder areas they dye back almost to the ground each winter and regrow their full size through the season,’ explains Schmitz.  

If the plant doesn’t completely die back, it’s a good idea to cut it right back anyway.

‘They grow quickly as they come back up and can reach 6-7 foot tall in a single season. The flowers can be white, blue, cranberry, purple, lavender, and pink with many shades in between.’

Buddleia require full sun in order to thrive, and can be grown in USDA zones 4-10, depending on the variety. 

As it grows so fast, ensure you know how to prune buddleia to keep it under control and looking its best.

2. Purple coneflower

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Also known as echinacea, purple coneflower is a popular plant among pollinators – but its fragrance and spiny center make it unappealing to deer.

‘A native perennial, purple coneflower prefers moist, well-drained soils but is drought tolerant once established,’ says Millie Davenport, director of the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center .

The plants die back to the ground over winter, and can grow up to 4 feet tall in the growing season.

‘Not only a great nectar source for pollinating insects, birds also enjoy the seedheads of purple coneflower in the fall,’ adds Davenport.

You should be able to grow purple coneflower in USDA zones 3-9.

3. Bearded iris

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The scent and taste of bearded iris is unpalatable to deer, but its exotic-looking blooms are a beautiful addition to the spring and summer garden.

‘Some varieties, such as Immortality, rebloom in late summer and early fall,’ says Meyers-Sharp.

‘Each flower can be one color or it can have two or more colors.’

You can grow bearded iris in a sunny spot in well-draining soil, in USDA zones 3-9 – learn how to grow irises properly to make sure they flower. 

‘Cut back the leaves in the fall,’ adds Meyers-Sharp. ‘When planting, make sure the rhizome (underground stem) is right at, or slightly above the soil surface. If planted too deep, the iris will not bloom.’

4. Baptisia

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'Baptista – or false indigo – is a perennial herb native to much of central and eastern North America, and is a great deer resistant plant,’ says Davenport.

It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is drought tolerant once established. You should be able to grow it in zones 5-9.

‘Though disliked by deer, it is a host plant for the larvae of several butterfly species, including orange sulphur, clouded sulphur, frosted elfin, eastern tailed blue, hoary edge, and wild indigo duskywing,’ adds Davenport.

Deer resistant annuals

Don't forget annuals when choosing deer resistant plants for your garden – these are ideal for filling in gaps and many have a long flowering season.

1. Cosmos

(Image credit: Thompson & Morgan)

Not only are cosmos deer resistant plants, but they are beloved of pollinators, make great cut flowers, and fill out summer borders wonderfully.

‘Cosmos are beautiful airy plants that thrive in full sun, although they’re fine with some shade too,’ says Teri Knight, radio show presenter, and founder of the Garden Bite podcast and website .

‘They are easy to grow handling hot, dry conditions, and you can grow them from seed or potted plants. ’

It’s so easy to learn how to grow cosmos as an annual in most climates, and they make such an impact in the garden. Choose from dazzling pinks through buttercup yellow and purest white.

2. Flowering tobacco

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Flowering tobacco – or Nicotiana alata – has wonderfully fragrant flowers, especially at night, so plant in a sunny area where you can enjoy the perfume,’ says Meyers-Sharp. 

However, deer won’t enjoy their heavenly fragrance quite so much, which makes them a great deer resistant plant.

‘Hummingbirds, hummingbird moths and other night pollinators also visit these native plants,’ adds Meyers-Sharp. 

‘Nicotiana sylvestris, or woodland flowering tobacco, tolerates shade and is also fragrant.’

As old-fashioned plants, flowering tobacco are also a great addition to your cottage garden ideas, working well in borders and containers.

3. Dusty miller

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Though technically a herbaceous perennial, dusty miller – or Senecio cineraria – is usually grown as an annual, and is prized for its silvery grey foliage that acts as the perfect foil for nearby flowers.  

‘Dusty Miller is such a fantastic silver plant that will highlight the colors of other plants,’ says Knight.

It’s adaptable to various soil types, and can cope well with drought-like conditions. Being a Mediterranean plant, it does like full sun, so don’t plant it in the shade.

‘Plant potted plants in the ground or in a container that has good drainage,’ adds Knight.

4. Lantana

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lantana is another perennial that is grown as a summer annual. ‘If you live in the south and south-west, you may find it to be winter hardy,’ says Meyers-Sharp. 

Due to the flowers’ strong fragrance and the plant’s rough texture, lantana is usually avoided by deer. However, it is a magnet for pollinators and hummingbirds. 

‘Lantana can take about as much heat and sun as you want to give it. It’s also fairly drought tolerant,’ adds Meyers-Sharp.

It’s ideal for adding to colorful borders and also grows beautifully in containers.

Deer resistant plants for shade

'It’s fairly easy to find deer resistant plants that love the sun, but shade plants can be tricky,' says Knight.

Luckily there are a few great choices to add to shady spots in the garden.

1. Bleeding heart

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Also known as Dicentra spectabilis, bleeding heart is a shade-tolerant herbaceous perennial named for its heart-shaped flowers that is repellant to deer. 

Native to woodlands, it pops up in borders in the spring giving much-needed color, before dying back just in time for the summer showstoppers to take its place.

‘Bleeding heart is an old-fashioned plant with plenty of appeal to last,’ says Knight. ‘There are many cultivars now including ‘Golden Hearts Bleeding’ with its chartreuse leaves.

‘Growing to a compact 2ft x 2ft, this beauty tucked in around your hostas just might be able to give them some protection.’

You can grow bleeding heart in USDA zones 3-9.

2. Ferns

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lush leafy ferns tend to be overlooked by deer, but make a lovely textural addition to a shade garden.

‘I particularly like autumn fern, Christmas fern and Japanese painted fern – their height reaches anything from 10-36 inches tall,’ says Davenport.

‘Ferns prefer moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter.’

Their hardiness is dependent on the variety, but you should be able to find ferns to grow in as low as zone 2.

3. Hellebores

(Image credit: Future)

As well as offering winter interest to gardens, hellebores are also highly deer resistant. Evergreen plants with jewel-colored flowers, they will tolerate dry shade.

‘Depending on the variety, hellebores bloom from early winter into June, and they even bloom in snow,’ says Meyers-Sharp.

It’s easy to learn how to grow hellebores , with varieties suitable for USDA zones 3-9.

‘A lot of gardeners trim off the winter-damaged leaves in spring as the plants begin to bloom, but it’s not necessary,’ says Meyers-Sharp.

What plants do deer hate the most?

'Deer generally dislike plants with aromatic foliage, such as rosemary and sage,' says Hyland. 'They also avoid statuesque plants such as yews, hollies, and boxwoods.'

Anything spiny or fuzzy will also be unpalatable to deer – so consider a plant's texture.

What plants do deer eat the most?

Deer tend to adapt well to their local habitat and enjoy many of the plants that are grown there. They particularly enjoy eating tulips and hostas.

'In rural areas, they tend to browse crops such as soybeans, grains, vegetables and fruits,' says Davenport.

'However, the bottom line is that no plant is deer-proof. They prefer some plants over others, but they will eat what is available when they have no other choice.'

For more information, see the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center Website and HGIC Deer Resistant Plants for the Landscape- Annuals & Perennials.

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

15 Best Deer-Resistant Plants and Flowers

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Try marigold, lavender, lamb's ear, and other varieties.

By Arricca Elin Sansone

nkbimagesGetty Images

You love digging around in your garden, planting flowers, shrubs, and trees to beautify your landscape. What's not so nice to discover your favorite plants have been gnawed on by the neighborhood deer!

Sure, they have to eat, too, but does it have to be your yard? Although you can try repellants, research says they're only effective about half the time and you will need to reapply them regularly. So if you're looking for advice on how to keep these animals out of your garden, try deer-resistant plants.

While no plant is considered "deer proof," many are less tasty to deer so they're less likely to get nibbled. For starters, they tend to avoid plants that have highly scented foliage or a fuzzy texture. (Our suggestion: learn how to grow lavender, which is a variety included on this list.) You can also discourage deer by not planting their favorites such as hostas, daylilies, azaleas, and arborvitae. When shopping, read the plant tag so you know how much sun or shade a plant needs. (Full sun is considered 6 or more hours of direct sunlight, while part sun is about half that. ) Also, make sure a plant will survive winters in your USDA plant hardiness zone. Adding a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch also will maintain moisture and control weeds, too, to give your plants a healthy chance at thriving.

It's important to remember, however, that if there is a high population of deer, insufficient food sources, or a hard winter, they will eat pretty much anything in your garden to survive! Still, if you're determined to keep them at bay, explore our favorite deer-resistant plants for your garden.

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Weigela

Oodles of bright flowers attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, but deer tend to leave this shrub alone. Some types of weigela rebloom throughout the summer.

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Catmint

Catmint grows in all soil types, is drought tolerant, and blooms for weeks and weeks in mid to late summer. The purple spikes of flowers of this perennial are set against pretty, silvery foliage that has a slight minty scent deer don't like.

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Bee Balm

Bee balm is a perennial that pollinators love! But deer usually steer clear of its highly-scented leaves. Look for new well-behaved varieties that stay in clumps and won't overrun your garden.

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Lavender

This classic perennial has beautiful, delicate foliage and deep purple spikes of flowers. Nothing beats lavender's romantic scent, which deer don’t like.

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Heuchera

These pretty perennials are grown more for their brilliant foliage, rather than their tiny flower spikes in midsummer. Heuchera come in a range of gorgeous shades from burgundy black to chartreuse.

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Spirea

This sturdy shrub isn't a favorite of deer, but its bright foliage and clusters of pretty flowers make it reliable for landscaping or foundation planting. Some new varieties of spirea are reblooming.

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Japanese Painted Fern

Shady spots in your garden will shine with these elegant ferns. Plant them in masses for best effect; deer almost never bother them.

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Cranesbill

Also called perennial geranium, this super-cold-hardy plant has pungent foliage deer don't like and delicate blooms in mid to late spring. Some types bloom sporadically all summer long.

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Lantana

Lantana is a tough-as-nails plant with bright flowers all summer long. Pollinators adore it, but deer don't like its somewhat prickly texture. It's considered an annual in cold climates but perennial in warmer parts of the country.

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Dusty Miller

The fuzzy silver foliage of dusty miller is not enticing to deer. Still, it makes an attractive upright accent plant when combined with other annuals in containers or beds.

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Angelonia

Also called summer snapdragon, this long-blooming annual is usually ignored by deer. It comes in every color of the rainbow, so it's smashing in containers or beds.

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Marigold

These cheerful annuals have been popular since your grandmother's day because they're super-hardy, they bloom all season long until a hard frost, and they are easy to grow. Their scented foliage is not tasty to deer.

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Butterfly Bush

Butterflies will flock to this shrub, and deer won't! Look for new types that are more manageable in size and aren't invasive.

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Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is a beautiful annual that looks lovely draping out of pots and containers or spilling over the edges of walkways or walls. It's a pollinator magnet, but not preferred by deer because of its honey-scented blooms.

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Lamb's Ears

Besides having a very cute name, the little rounded, fuzzy leaves of the lamb's ear plant aren't appealing to deer. Plant this perennial in mixed borders or along walks.

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Here's How to Plan Your Vegetable Garden Layout

Arricca Elin Sansone Arricca SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more.

PECULIARITIES OF FEEDING OF ANIMALS FEEDING OF ANIMALS IN ERCLOSUSES

Kozlov V.M. 1 , Ovechkina N.N. 2

1 Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, 2 graduate student, Vyatka State Agricultural Academy

Features of ungulates (cervus elaphus L., Dama DA DA DA Ma 9000 SUS SCROFA L . ) IN THE CONDITIONS OF CONTAINING.

Annotation

The diet of deer and fallow deer in the enclosure includes: natural branch and herbaceous food, plants on sown pastures, sown crops (oats, peas, winter rye), hay, a mixture of cereals, silage feed, mineral supplements. Of natural winter foods, deer and European fallow deer prefer (in descending order) willow, mountain ash, bird cherry, deer, in addition to this, they eat birch branches. Animals did not eat alder. It is necessary to sow about 1 ha of fodder fields per 1 individual. Optimal mix composition: 30% perennial ryegrass, 20% timothy grass, 20% meadow fescue, 10% red clover, 10% hybrid clover (pink), 10% meadow grass. This mixture is resistant to trampling and grows well. It has been established that it is better to give hay at the rate of 1 kg per individual per day in rolls or scatter it over the snow. This is necessary to keep it hydrated. Dry hay leads to illness and death of animals. The daily norm of grain feed was 1.6 kg in winter and 1.2 kg per head in summer. The grain mixture should be dominated by oats or corn, but not wheat. Deer better use salt in the form of lumps, rather than in the form of briquettes. Wild boars in the enclosure do not have enough food even in summer. They need year-round feeding with grain at the rate of 2.2 kg per head. To save feed, the grain should be crushed or flattened. Under these feeding conditions, the animals in the aviary do not get sick and multiply well. nine0039 The purpose of the study is to study the experience of feeding and keeping deer, fallow deer and wild boar in order to develop recommendations on these issues.

Key words: feeding deer, fallow deer, aviary breeding.

Kozlov V . M. 1 , Ovechkina N . N. 2

1 PhD in Biology, Professor, 2 Postgraduate, Vyatka  State Agrikultural Akademi

PECULIARITIES OF FEEDING OF ANIMALS FEEDING OF ANIMALS IN ERCLOSUSES

Abstract

The diet of deer and fallow deer in the enclosures includes: natural twig and herbaceous forage plants on seeded pastures seeded crops (oats, peas, winter rye), hay, silage, grain feed mixture, mineral feeding. Because of the natural winter feed red deer and European fallow deer prefer (in descending order) willow, rowan, bird cherry, red deer, in addition to this, eats birch branches. On 1 specimen is necessary to sow about 1 ha of fodder fields. Optimum composition grass mixture 30% - perennial ryegrass 20% - timothy, 20% - meadow fescue, 10% - red clover (red), 10% - Hybrid clover (pink), 10% - Kentucky bluegrass. It is found that the hay per 1 kg per animal per day is better to give rolls or spread it over the snow. This is necessary for its moisture. Dry hay leading to disease and death of the animals. Daily amount of feed grain was 1.6 kg in winter, in the summer - 1.2 kg per head. The grain mixture should prevail oats or corn, but wheat. nine0039 Deer better use salt in the form of lumps and not in the form of briquettes. Boars in volre do not have enough food even in the summer. They need a year-round feeding of grain at the rate of 2.2 kg per head. Under these conditions, feeding the animals in the cage do not get sick and breed well.

Keywords: feeding deer, fallow deer, wild boar, captive breeding.

Feeding animals in an enclosure is essential to the return on investment. Their health depends on how animals eat, in what form and with what frequency feed is supplied. The productivity of animals kept in an aviary mainly depends on the quantity and quality of food [1]. At present, the practice of feeding wild animals in an aviary has not been sufficiently studied, so far it is impossible to set zootechnical experiments used for farm animals. Therefore, in order to improve the feeding of captive animals, it is necessary to study the existing experience of farms, analyze it and eliminate the identified shortcomings. nine0009

Material and method . Features of feeding animals were studied in the aviary complex of the Legion farm, which is located in the Tver region of the Oleninsky district. The location of the enclosure was chosen in accordance with the characteristics of the biology and ecology of the animals being bred. It includes both a forest area and open stations. To date, the 298-hectare enclosure is home to deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and European fallow deer (Dama dama L.), totaling 120 animals. Of these, 80 deer, 40 fallow deer. A separate enclosure of 12 hectares contains 45 wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). The quarantine enclosure has an area of ​​10 hectares. nine0009

Accounting for the food base of marals was carried out in the second year of keeping animals, in April, when the period of feeding on tree-branch fodder ends. Trial plots 25x25 meters in size were laid, on which woody plants were counted by species, the degree of their damage, the number of eaters, skuses [6]. A total of 4 sites were laid. The study of the fallow deer nutrition was also carried out on trial sites after the first year of keeping. In addition, the method of direct observation of the feeding of animals was used, and the features of eating various feeds were recorded. nine0009

Discussion of results . Marals were brought from the Republic of Altai, the food base there undoubtedly differed from the local one. Reindeer were brought in in winter, fed mainly with a grain mixture (oats, wheat), hay, and silage. In summer, fodder fields were sown from oats, peas, grass mixtures, but deer gave preference to grain. They did not adapt to local natural food as quickly as the European fallow deer brought from Lithuania. On the sites in the enclosure, the growth of 5 species of woody plants was noted, of which mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L. ), birch (Betula) and gray alder (Alnus incana) prevailed in the ratio of 35.5%, 20.2% and 44.3%, respectively , there was a willow (Salix) in the undergrowth. Mountain ash and willow accounted for the highest number of tree damage (35.8% and 44%, respectively). Bird cherry (Prunus padus) and birch had the least damage (8.2% and 12% of the total number of damaged trees). Thus, marals selectively ate willow and mountain ash, not using alder at all. Preference was given to willow, which was not much in the aviary. nine0009

Accounting for the natural food supply of fallow deer when kept in a quarantine enclosure with an area of ​​12 hectares, showed that out of 8 tree and shrub species, willow (80%), mountain ash (7%), bird cherry (2%), alder (10%) prevailed and birch (12%). The fallow deer gave preference to willow (60.7% of eaten), mountain ash (28.3%) and bird cherry (11%). Spruce gnawing was also noted. Alder was not used at all.

Of the advantages of natural tree-branch forages, it is necessary to note their high moisture content (40-50%), but they are poor in protein and do not have sufficient calorie content. When each animal eats 3-5 kg ​​of shoots per day, the natural food base in the enclosure is quickly depleted. In order to ensure the longevity of the natural food base for deer and fallow deer and increase its productivity, the following measures are necessary: ​​

- rejuvenation of undergrowth and undergrowth, thinning of infested willow forests;

- monitoring of the stock of natural forage in order to maintain a stable forage capacity of reindeer pastures and further apply measures to preserve and improve the existing forage base.

Today the diet of deer and fallow deer on the farm includes:

  1. Natural branch food: mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), aspen (Populus tremula), willow (Salix), bird cherry (Prunus padus), birch (Betula). nine0138
  2. Natural herbaceous plants: couch grass (Elytrigia repens), bluegrass meadow (Poa pratensis), spring grass (Maianthemum bifolium), fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium), etc.
  3. Pasture herbaceous plants on sown pastures: pink clover (Trifolium hybridum), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), meadow timothy (Phleum pratense), meadow grass (Poa pratensis).
  4. Annual fodder crops (oats). nine0138
  5. Grain mix (wheat, oats, corn).
  6. Mineral and salt dressing (lick salt).
  7. Hay, haylage, silage (harvested in sowing hayfields and fodder fields).

In 2014 pastures were sown with grass mixtures of perennial grasses and oats. The area of ​​pastures was 75 hectares, of which 25 hectares are annually resown with a mixture of oats and peas with oversowing of grass mixtures from perennial grasses. Thus, a pasture conveyor was created: the grass mixture of the first year occupies 25 hectares, the grass mixture of the second year - 25 hectares, the third year - 25 hectares. Consequently, almost 1 ha of sown pastures falls on one maral. Such pressure does not lead to excessive depletion of pastures. In deer farms, a population density of 1 deer per 1 ha of total area is recommended. nine0009

Our observations show that at high population density ungulates have a strong influence on the condition of plants. Plants can be heavily trampled, forming gaps in the fields. When creating fodder agrocenoses, it is necessary to include in their composition such species and groups of species that are able to provide the entire livestock of animals with highly nutritious feed throughout the entire growing season. Therefore, in the case of long-term hay and pasture use of the created fields, it is necessary to take into account some properties of fodder plants: life expectancy, seasonal development rate, ability to grow back after mowing, and trampling resistance. Timothy meadow, meadow bluegrass and clover (pink) hybrid cope with this task. Perennial ryegrass is also hardy to trampling, but in the conditions of the Tver region it grows poorly. nine0009

Hayfields for haymaking (the area was 75 ha) are sown with a mixture of seeds of perennial grasses. The composition of the mixture: 30% - perennial ryegrass, 20% - meadow timothy, 20% - meadow fescue, 10% - meadow clover (red), 10% - hybrid clover (pink), 10% - meadow bluegrass. These plant species have shown good resistance to trampling and good regeneration. The experience of planting Jerusalem artichoke was unsuccessful. As soon as he ascended, the deer ate the stems, the plants did not recover. nine0009

Fields for haylage and silage (the area was 60 ha) are sown with grass mixtures of perennial grasses and pink clover. In total, 50 rolls of hay are harvested, i.e. 25 tons for 210 days, more than 1 kg per reindeer per day. It is brought to the animals as they are eaten, usually once a week. Hay on the farm is offered to animals all year round, but is the main food only in winter, when the temperature drops to minus 10 about C. The experience of the Legion farm has shown that ungulates do not need nursery-type feeders with a roof that are widespread on farms. Hay in them is poorly eaten, it is too dry. Research by A.A. Danilkina [2,4] showed that eating dry hay leads to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and even death of animals. It is much better to serve hay in bales, the animals eat it completely. The males are the first to approach, scatter it with their horns, the hay is moistened on the snow. Then females and young animals come, eating moistened hay. If hay was supplied under a shed during this period, it was eaten badly, because the animals sleep on it, pollute it with droppings, and then stop eating. Therefore, after a few days, the hay has to be harvested. nine0009

Haylage and silage are succulent foods that are essential for ungulates but freeze easily. Ensiling is an indispensable way of harvesting fodder. In hay, even under good harvesting conditions, 40-45% of the nutrients contained in the green mass are lost, and with proper ensiling, losses do not exceed 10%. Haylage occupies an intermediate position between hay and silage. The haylage harvesting technology is the same as for silage, but the humidity of the laid mass should be on average 45-50% [5]. Therefore, they should be offered to animals at a temperature not lower than -10 o C. Silage is laid out under a canopy for animals on a special platform. Deer eat 0.4 kg of silage per day. Our observations showed that most of the silage is eaten by males, females go to the silage and scatter it, but do not eat it.

Grain is fed into the feeders in bulk every day in the morning. At the same time, different types of grain are mixed. The amount of grain mixture for 120 individuals and its composition are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 - The amount of grain mixture in winter and summer periods, kg

nine0177
Winter (210 days) Summer (155 days)
Grain Grain consumption per day, kg Grain mixtures for 1 head per day, kg Grain Grain consumption per day, kg Grain mixtures for 1 head per day, kg
Oats 96 0.8 Oats 72 0.6
Corn 60 0.5 Corn 30 0. 25
Wheat 30 0.25 Wheat 12 0.1
Total 186 1.55 Total: 114 0.95

nine0009

The table shows that deer and fallow deer eat on average 1.55 kg of grain per day in winter and 0.95 kg in summer. The duration of the winter feeding regime is taken as 210 days, the summer - 155 days. In total, grain provides 1.75 feed units or 17.74 MJ of metabolizable energy in winter and 1.27 feed units or 12.10 MJ in summer. During the winter, 39 tons of grain are consumed, during the summer - 17.67 tons.

The experience of feeding deer with grain showed that the use of a large amount of wheat in grain mixtures leads to bloating. This does not happen if the mixture is dominated by oats or corn. Animals eat corn first. The optimal ratio turned out to be: 60 - 65% oats, 5-10% wheat, 25-30% corn. It must be borne in mind that the grain must be given either crushed or flattened, because. it is better absorbed and can be used less. nine0009

Deer begin to eat woody, mainly twig food, more regularly in large quantities in autumn, from October-November. In winter, the proportion of tree food increases and reaches its maximum in March [5]. On average, marals eat 9.0 kg of branch food per day.

Animals must be given lick salt. Our experience has shown that salt in the form of a salt block, which is cut from blocks of natural rock salt, is eaten by animals better than KNZ salt (animals practically do not touch it), which is currently widespread in the markets. nine0009

Wild boar is an omnivorous animal, which largely ensures the survival of the species even in extreme conditions. He prefers moist, concentrated, protein-rich food [3]. The area of ​​the enclosure for wild boars is 10 hectares. Feeding a wild boar in the Legion farm does not cause any difficulties. Its natural food in the spring-summer period is green seedlings, grass, young rhizomes. But in the aviary, these feeds are not enough. We need oat fields, plantings of Jerusalem artichoke. In total, one field of Jerusalem artichoke was sown - 0.5 ha and one field of oats - 6.0 ha. One wild boar has 0.13 ha of oat field. But Jerusalem artichoke is not yet eaten by a wild boar, which is due to the fact that the wild boar has not yet got used to it. The wild boar also needs concentrated feed (Table 2). nine0009

Table 2 - Boar feeding in winter and summer, kg

nine0179 Oats
Winter (210 days) Summer (155 days)
Grain Grain consumption per day, kg Grain mixtures for 1 head per day, kg Grain Grain consumption per day, kg Grain mixtures for 1 head per day, kg
Oats 67.5 1.5 67.5 1.5
Corn 13.5 0. 7 Corn 13.5 0.7
Total: 81 2.2 Total: 81 2.2

As can be seen from the data in Table 2, the wild boar in this enclosure in winter and summer is given the same amount of grain mixture, on average, 2.2 kg per head per day. This gives 2.28 feed units or 25.74 MJ of metabolizable energy. But the wild boar scatters the food from the feeders very strongly and tramples it into the ground, thereby increasing the cost of its maintenance. Therefore, the farm has acquired an automatic feeder, which scatters a dosed amount of feed at a certain time. nine0009

The experience of feeding a wild boar in natural conditions shows that in summer it is possible to reduce the feeding rate by 3 times, since there is a lot of natural food. But in the conditions of an aviary with a high density of animals, natural food may not be enough in summer. Therefore, abundant feeding of wild boars in the summer is justified. In total, about 800 kg of grain is spent on feeding 45 wild boars during the year. Crushing grain will reduce its amount by about 1.5 times with the same nutritional value.

The described conditions for feeding and keeping animals in the enclosure ensure good health and successful reproduction of these species. nine0009

Conclusions

  1. Of the natural winter food, deer and fallow deer prefer willow (44% and 60.7%, respectively). In second place is mountain ash (35.8% and 28%, respectively), both species also use bird cherry (8 and 11%). Maral eats birch along with bird cherry, but doe does not eat it.
  2. If there is about 1 ha of sown pastures per maral, then such a load does not lead to excessive depletion of pastures. Good resistance to trampling and good renewability was shown by the following mixture composition: 30% - perennial ryegrass, 20% - meadow timothy grass, 20% - meadow fescue, 10% - meadow clover (red), 10% - hybrid clover (pink), 10% - meadow bluegrass. nine0138
  3. About 1 kg of hay per bird is better given in rolls or scattered over the snow to moisten it than using nursery feeders.
  4. In the composition of the grain mixture, the ratio turned out to be optimal: 60 - 65% oats, 25-30% corn, 5-10% wheat. The predominance of wheat led to bloating. The daily norm of this feed was 1.6 kg in winter and 1.2 kg per head in summer.
  5. A wild boar in an enclosure requires year-round feeding with concentrated feed (oats or corn) in the amount of 2.2 kg per head per day, which provides 25.74 MJ of metabolizable energy. nine0138

Literature

  1. Alikserov A. Animals in enclosures. Aviary is a long-term project // “Hunting is a national hunting magazine. - No. 7/ 2012. From 24-26.
  2. Danilkin A.A. Farm hunting. M.: publishing house "Association of Scientific Publications of KMK", 2011, 132 p.
  3. Danilkin A.A. Wild ungulates in hunting (basics of resource management). M.: publishing house "GEOS", 2006. 366 p.
  4. Danilkin A.A. Deer (Cervide) / A.A. Danilkin. – M.: GEOS, 1999. - 552 p.
  5. Lunitsyn V.G. Modern approaches and methods in feeding deer / RAAS, VNIIIPO. - Barnaul: ABC, - 226 p.
  6. Novikov G.A. Field research on the ecology of terrestrial vertebrates, - L.: Publishing House "Soviet Science", 1949. - 352 p.

References

  1. Alekserov A. the Animals in the cages. The aviary - long term project // "the Hunting - national hunting magazine. - No. 7/ 2012.
  2. Danilkin A. A. Farm hunting farm. M.: publishing house "Association of scientific publications KMK", 2011, 132 p. nine0138
  3. Danilkin A. A. Wild ungulates in the hunting economy (foundations of resource management). M.: publishing house "GEOS", 2006. 366 p.
  4. Danilkin A. A. Deer (Cervide) / A. A. Danilkin. - M.: GEOS, 1999. - 552 p
  5. Lunitsin V. G. Modern approaches and methods in feeding deer / RAAS, VNIIPO. - Barnaul: AZBUKA, 2013. - 226 p.
  6. Novikov G. A. Field studies on ecology of terrestrial vertebrates, - L.: Publishing house "Soviet science", 1949. - 352 p.

what not to do in the German forest – DW – 03/02/2018

Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Pleul

Tourism

Maxim Nelyubin

German foresters are concerned about a new hobby of nature lovers - the search for antlers shed by red deer. Why is that bad?

https://p.dw.com/p/2tQ4y

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Most people in Germany, for obvious reasons, do not know anything about the "Chernomorsk branch of the Arbatovskaya office for the preparation of horns and hooves." Hooves have not yet reached the point in Germany, but interest in horns is growing here, which is already causing serious concern ... German foresters. In this case, we are talking about the antlers, which are shed by male red deer (Rothirsch, Edelhirsch) after the end of the mating season in winter. The search for these horns has become a kind of fashion trend among some lovers of native nature - not for self-interest, but only to decorate the home interior. nine0009

Red deer are typical inhabitants of German forests. Historians suggest that earlier they even outnumbered European roe deer (Europäisches Reh) here. Reindeer or antlers can be seen, for example, on the large coat of arms of Baden-Württemberg or on the emblem of the Württemberg company Porsche.

Now in Germany there are about 240 thousand red deer - the kings of the forest, as they are called. Hunters annually shoot about 70 thousand individuals. Roe deer are harvested 15 times more - more than a million. nine0009

Red deer are not endangered. On the contrary, in many regions the population is controlled by hunters in accordance with legal regulations that significantly limit their habitats - on average, only every fourth hectare of the country's territory. In Baden-Württemberg, only four percent of the territory is assigned to them. In neighboring Bavaria - 14 percent. If the hunters who rent the land allow the distribution of these deer outside the permitted areas (Rotwildbezirk), they face fines. nine0009

Nature conservation and economic benefits

Red deer habitat restrictions in Germany began in the 1950s in order to increase the efficiency of forest resources. In other words, so that the deer do not spoil the trees. Each adult animal needs up to 20 kilograms of feed per day. Two thirds are accounted for by various herbaceous plants, one third - by bark, leaves and needles. Deer also eat acorns, chestnuts, berries, various nuts and seeds. In Germany, a compromise had to be found between the economic interests of forest owners, the interests of hunters and the conservation of this species. Now there are only five or six red deer per ten square kilometers in Germany. On the same territory, an average of about 2,300 people live here. nine0009 Hunter in Brandenburg Photo: picture-alliance/R. Schlesinger

Some of the North German federal states have recently changed their policy on this issue by lifting the restrictions. Red deer are now everywhere in the forests of Mecklenburg - Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Here, these animals are again considered as an integral part of the cultural landscape and intend to look for other ways to control the population and maintain the ecological balance. nine0009

Ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility

But let's get back to collecting discarded horns. The number of "hunters" for such trophies has become so great that foresters in the Baden-Württemberg nature reserve Schönbuch near Tübingen were forced through the press to draw the attention of the inhabitants of the region to the fact that collecting horns is poaching, and not a harmless hobby. Fine - from 100 euros and more.

Member of the German Deer Roaring Championship Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/B.

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