Evaluation of Carcass Composition Changes to Fallow Bucks Castrated Prepuberally

Abstract

A trial was conducted to compare, by dissection of individual muscles, bones and fat, carcass changes to intact fallow bucks (Dama dama) and bucks castrated prepuberally and killed at 17 months of age. Intact bucks grew faster than castrated bucks, but much of the weight difference resulted from the increased weight of the head and bones of intact deer (25%). Most of the muscles of castrates (77/94) were lighter than the same muscles in their intact counterparts, but the major differences occurred in the commercially less useful forequarter muscles. The total weight and proportion to carcass weight of the hindquarter were not changed significantly by castration. The muscle bone ratio was not significantly different between intacts and castrates, but the muscle fat ratio was significantly reduced by castration. The total weight of muscle on intact and castrated bucks of the same body weight was not significantly different, but there was a greater proportion of muscle on the hindquarter of the castrate. The results of this work demonstrate that the castrate offers a viable alternative to intact bucks being killed for venison during the fallow deer breeding season when carcass bruising due to fighting is difficult to avoid. Prepuberal castration was shown to eliminate antler spikes and aggressive behavior, and the small carcass changes associated with castration were easily compensated by increased ease of management.