CARE, GROWTH AND COST OF CAPTIVE MOOSE CALVES

Authors

  • Murray W. Lankester
  • Tanya Wheeler-Smith
  • Stefan Dudzinski

Abstract

Weights of captive moose calves increased at an average of 0.78 kg/day reaching a mean weight of 178 kg (max. 196kg) at 33 weeks of age. Calves were fed up to 2L/day of milk formula (1 part canned evaporated milk: 1 part whole cow’s milk, plus 2 egg yolks per 770 mL), commercial dairy ration, and alfalfa hay. Egg yolks, added to raise the formula lipid and protein content, may reduce or prevent neonatal diarrhea. Comparisons with other studies suggest that milk volume may be of greater importance than formula composition in determining early growth, but volumes exceeding 2.0-2.5 L/day risk increasingly serious problems with diarrhea.

Costs including capture, staff, holding facilities, and feed for 7 calves totalled $36,500.00 for the first 8 months of life. Orphaned or abandoned calves are acquired at lower cost but availability is unpredictable, some may be congenitally handicapped or in poor condition, and acquisition over an extended period will include some older animals that are much less tractable.

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Published

1993-01-01

How to Cite

Lankester, M. W., Wheeler-Smith, T., & Dudzinski, S. (1993). CARE, GROWTH AND COST OF CAPTIVE MOOSE CALVES. Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose, 29, 249–262. Retrieved from https://www.alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1023

Issue

Vol. 29 (1993): Alces Vol. 29 (1993)

Section

Articles

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