A diagnosis of secondary
copper deficiency was established on a deer farm with a
peat soil type, on the basis of confirmed
enzootic ataxia in hinds, liver and serum
copper concentrations and pasture and soil
element analyses. Seventy-four weaner stags were selected for a trial to investigate a growth response to
copper supplementation. Thirty-seven red and red x wapiti type stags were treated with 4g
copper oxide wire particles at four months of age (April). A further 8g
copper oxide wire was given in June. Thirty-seven untreated animals acted as controls. Bodyweights were measured on five occasions, from April 24 to November 26. Serum
copper analyses were undertaken on ten deer prior to commencement of the trial, and on seven treated and eight control deer in June, July and October. Serum
copper concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 19.3 micromol/l prior to the trial. In June, July and October serum
copper ranged from 0.1-6.7, 0.6-5.0, and 1.3-6.3 micromol/l respectively, in control deer. In treated deer concentrations ranged from 7.2-14.7, 5.2-10.8, and 6.9-13.7 micromol/l in June, July and October respectively. The difference between mean
copper concentration at each post-treatment sampling date was highly significant, (P<0.001). At the conclusion of the trial (November 26) the treated deer averaged 3.1kg heavier than controls, but this difference was not statistically significant. In view of these results and the variation in growth response trials in other species, further investigation of the effects of
copper on the growth of young deer is warranted.