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Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Fallow Deer

WHAT ARE FALLOW DEER?

Fallow deer are mammals with a longer tail compared to other deer, white spots and prominent Adam's apple. There are up to 14 colour variations, ranging from white to butterscotch, light red, dark red, reddish brown, brown, dark brown and black. They are all born with white spots which, along with the colour of their coat, they retain for life.

Females, or does, appear light, smooth and fragile. They tend to be about 6cm higher at the hips than at the shoulders. Height at the shoulders (withers) is between 50 to 100cm. The length of the body is 130 to 175cm.

Males, or bucks, have a heavy or stocky appearance. Bucks have "pot bellies" and at maturity stand about 90cm, weighing 73 to 90kg. Only males grow antlers. These antlers are shed and regrow annually.

WHERE ARE FALLOW DEER PRODUCED IN BC?

Fallow deer are very adaptable to most conditions except for those found in very high mountain regions. In BC, there are 74 fallow deer farms which have approximately 25,000 animals. These animals are found throughout the province with a higher concentration in the Thompson/ Okanagan region.

HOW MANY FALLOW DEER DO WE PRODUCE?

Fallow deer farms make up 55% of the game farm industry in British Columbia. There are about 2200 deer slaughtered each year for meat.

HOW ARE FALLOW DEER PRODUCED?

The females, or does, are seasonally polyestrus which means they will cycle only at a certain time of the year. They are referred to as short-day-breeders as breeding occurs in the fall, being triggered by environmental factors, mainly changes in the amount of daylight in a 24-hour period.

During the rut or breeding season, the bucks spend more time establishing their territories than feeding, therefore, they end up experiencing dramatic weight loss. The buck will go through physically demanding feats when in the pre-rut agitation, courtship, and mating stages.

The gestation period is between seven-and-a-half and eight months. Fawns are born during June or July when climate and feed normally favour survival. The average birthweights for farmed fallow deer are 3.9 to 4.8kg for males and 3.5 to 4.0kg for females.

WHAT DOES FALLOW DEER LOOK LIKE WHEN I USE IT?

Final products include venison, antler velvet and shavings, and deer fur and hide. The fur and hide is used for rugs and clothing. Reindeer meat is called venison. Resulting from changes in lifestyles toward healthier living and eating, specifically concerning red meat, consumers are demanding more game farmed venison than ever before. Game farmed venison has been proven to have a lower fat and cholesterol content than most red meats. The demand for venison meat has increased greatly in the last few years and continues to grow rapidly.

Antler velvet and shavings are exported to various countries. Some of the Asian countries provide a good market where antler shavings are used for medicinal purposes to increase vitality, energy and the overall health of a person. Some take it as an aphrodisiac.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FALLOW DEER LEAVES THE FARM?

Fallow deer are transported to processing facilities where the animals are slaughtered and processed. The product is distributed by producers or wholesalers to retail stores, restaurants and novelty shops.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO FALLOW DEER PRODUCERS FACE?

One challenge that fallow deer farmers face is the perception that venison is a meat to be eaten only in autumn and winter. Some restaurants, for example, remove venison from their menus when the weather warms. To counter this, there is a need for increased promotion and exposure to improve the year-round market for venison.

WHO'S INVOLVED IN PRODUCING FALLOW DEER?

  • Game farmers
  • Slaughterhouses (processors)
  • Transporters/truckers
  • Meat packers
  • Butchers

Interesting Fact About Fallow Deer:

In 1990, the bulk of venison sold in BC was imported from New Zealand. Today, approximately 80% of the market is being served by BC fallow deer producers. There has been an increase in the number of restaurants serving venison and the number of stores selling it.

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