Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.A005
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, A005 (2022)
Fallow deer reactions to various sound stimuli
Jagoda Czajkowska1*, Paweł Bogdaszewski2, Sara Pieńkowska2
1 University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding and Game Management, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
2 Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Research Station in Kosewo Górne, 11 -700 Mrągowo, Poland
* Corresponding author: jagoda.czajkowska@student.uwm.edu.pl
Abstract
Deer farming in Poland has been legalised in the beginning of the 21st century. Since then, no rules concerning selection and drafting have been established, particularly regarding behavioural traits of individual deer. Reactions to stress factors can be treated as one of the elements in behaviour grading. To that end, the aim of this study is to outline the reactions of fallow deer (Dama dama) to different sound stimuli. Recorded audio tracks were emitted using a commercial electroaccoustic device, the tracks containing both natural common warning sounds (such as dogs barking, roe deer barking, magpie chirping) and artificial sounds (gunshot, metal containers banging against each other). The tests were conducted on 16 fallow deer kept in farm conditions. The animals reactions were graded using a proprietary 8-step behavioural scale. The results show that fallow deer reactions are varied depending on the sound. Most of the deer reactions (60.7%) indicated a low amount of stress (manifested by the animals heads turning towards the sound source) when the natural sounds were played. Playback of the artificial sounds no reaction in 50% of the animals was noted and a moderately stressful reaction in ca. 32%. The results presented can prove useful in a more general behavioural analysis of fallow deer, as well as in describing their tempers (timidness, ability to handle stress etc.). Those kinds of studies on deer can serve as a tool in indicating if individual animals are suitable for breeding in farms.
How to cite
J. Czajkowska, P. Bogdaszewski, S. Pieńkowska, 2022. Fallow deer reactions to various sound stimuli. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/A005