COMPARISON OF HAND-REARED PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA) MILK REPLACER COMPOSITIONS AND GROWTH RATES.

Abstract

Hand-rearing protocols for nondomestic ungulates used for research, zoological parks, and reintroduction to the wild are evaluated on the basis of implementation practicality, gastrointestinal disturbances, survival to weaning, and growth rates compared with those of dam-raised individuals. Although species-specific protocols utilizing milk replacers formulated for nondomestic ungulates have been reported, no such protocols have been published for pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Five pronghorn fawns were fed Day One 30/40 Black Tail Deer plus Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics four times per day with Day One Ultra Boost (all products from Fox Valley Animal Nutrition, Inc, Huntley, IL 60142, USA) added at one feeding per day and weighed twice per week for up to the first 16 wk of life. All fawns survived beyond weaning and four out of five fawns experienced a combined total of seven bouts of diarrhea. Based on a linear mixed-effects model, the growth rate of pronghorn fawns was 178 g/d (SE, 14.8; 95% CI, 149-207). The observed growth rate was greater than or similar to that of individuals fed evaporated milk five times per day, a dam-raised singlet, and a singular set of dam-raised twins. Despite small sample sizes, this protocol shows promise as a method for hand-rearing pronghorn at growth rates comparable to those of dam-raised fawns.