Nutritional Facts
Nutritional requirements for deer very from season to season, as well as having variances between the Buck, Doe and Fawn’s. Here we will describe some basics of different Nutrients you may find useful in understanding what deer need and why.
*Although the following is fact it is broken down for simplicity.*
Proteins, used throughout the body including in antlers and all other functions in the body and is essential to the deers development and health.
Fiber is used as a daily source of energy. This is obtained by breaking down hemicellulose and cellulose. Deer may also use fats gained from nuts foraged from their environment.
Calcium is a strong supporter in the nervous system, muscles and the heart not just for bones.
Salt can aid in the digestion of food and is needed more in the spring and summer. It is also used in contracting and relaxing their muscles, water retention and nerve impulses. Although salt has many positive attributes it is often the most neglected in over feeding which can cause health side affect including vascular and kidney issues.
Phosphorus is critical in bone and antler growth. During the fall and winter bucks will store access phosphorus in their bones and begin extracting it in the spring to promote antler growth.
Potassium is used in maintaining a prober ph balance. Digestion and buffering the blood supply.
Sulfur. One of the most magnificent mineral is uses can be traced all the way through the body. From metabolizing food it also build and fixes DNA. Containing two amino acids its effects helps in aiding good health in ligaments, tendons and skin.
Copper all though controversial the proper amounts make it a corner stone in micro nutrients. Its uses include support of the nervous and immune systems, connective tissues, vascular system operations and brain development. Ruminants typically have a low tolerance and do not require much to be healthy.
Iron is one part of the system that is required to make the protein found in red blood cells and responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body.
Magnesium as defined is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. This include Antler growth and a host of additional benefits like increasing body weight and improving immune health.
Selenium is critical in reproduction and stress reduction. This is severely abused though as too much leads to selenium toxicosis which shows sign in Cervus Anorexia leading to weight loss and lameness.
Zinc is a trace mineral, meaning that the body only needs small amounts, and yet it is necessary for almost 100 enzymes to carry out vital chemical reactions. It is a major player in the creation of DNA, growth of cells, building proteins, healing damaged tissue, supporting a healthy immune system, strengthening bones and growing antlers.
Vitamin A is important in the deers eye sight, reproduction, immune health and development and growth.
Vitamin B Complex include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin (nicotinic acid), niacinamide (nicotinamide), the vitamin B6 group (including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine), biotin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
- Thiamine is B1 help convert carbohydrates into energy
- Riboflavin is B2 important for the growth, development, and function of the cells.
- Niacin is B3 helps keep the nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy
- B6 Group conducts and helps enzymes work in the body
- B12 is a nutrient that helps keep the deer body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
Vitamin D3 helps absorb calcium and phosphate.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals
Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones.