Red deer (Cervus elaphus) exhibit specific behaviour during the rutting season, which may have an impact on the safety on cervid farms, both due to aggressive interactions between animals and the safety of people staying there, such as staff and tourists. This issue applies especially to stags whose behaviour changes radically, and the correct interpretation of the observed changes is very important. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyse the pre-rut behaviour of stags and to show the influence of atmospheric conditions on vocalization and other elements of their behaviour, which facilitate determination of the onset of the rutting season. The observations were conducted in August and September of 2017 and 2018. It was shown that lower temperatures, declines in air humidity, increasing atmospheric pressure, and transition of the moon phase towards the full moon resulted in intensification of the vocalization activity in the red deer in the pre-rutting season, which may accelerate the rutting period in the deer males. The number of vocalizations varied between the years and depended on the mean temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, and moon phase in the pre-rutting and rutting seasons. Through observation of the changing weather conditions, it is possible to predict the time of increased activity of stags and the onset of the rutting period. Predicting the date of mating season in farm breeding, based on daily observations of changes in the behaviour of stags, can be helpful in planning veterinary treatments or selecting the composition of the hinds to be covered by specific stags, which can also contribute to the improvement of their welfare.

Farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) fawns need to receive care and help from their mothers and be stimulated by other individuals, including their peers. This helps them to learn to live in a group, establish their place in the herd, acquire food, perceive dangers, survive, and initiate reproductive behavior. Adequate analysis of changes in behaviour conducted by deer breeders can be helpful in management of the animals. Furthermore, the knowledge of the time when any disturbance in the natural behaviour of animals should be avoided may contribute to improvement of their welfare. The aim of the research was to analyse the behaviour of fawns in the early rearing period and the influence of weather conditions. The observations were conducted in July 2017 and 2018. The fawns most frequently performed the observed activities in the morning and evening. The ritual playing and suckling bouts were most often noted in the evening. With an increase in air temperature and a decrease in humidity, the young fallow deer followed the doe and vocalized to call the mother, probably to persuade her to hide in a shaded place. A higher frequency of suckling was noted at an increased air temperature and humidity, but the suckling time was reduced with the increasing air temperature. A greater wind speed was associated with a higher frequency of allosuckling. The study showed that the natural behaviour of fawns, which has an impact on their functioning in the herd, should not be disturbed in the morning and evening.

Realizaram-se três ensaios de digestibilidade em raposas polares. Os grupos controles receberam dietas-padrão (C1 e C2) compostas por subprodutos de origem animal frescos ou congelados e sementes de cereais em grão. As dietas secas (E1, E2) usadas nos ensaios que continham farinha de origem animal e sementes em grãos extrudadas eram hidratadas antes de administradas. Em ensaio preliminar, avaliou-se a digestibilidade da dieta seca E1, submetida a 15 minutos e a 24 horas de hidratação. Verificou-se que o tempo de hidratação não influenciou a digestão. No experimento principal, foram realizados dois ensaios para comparar a digestibilidade das dietas fornecidas às raposas no período de crescimento (C1 vs E1) e no desenvolvimento de pelo (C2 vs E2). Melhor digestibilidade dos nutrientes foi observada para as dietas controle. As maiores diferenças foram relatadas para a proteína total. A desnaturação das proteínas, durante o tratamento térmico, reduz o índice de digestibilidade das dietas. Observou-se alto teor de retenção de hidrogênio em relação ao hidrogênio digerido nas raposas alimentadas com as dietas E1 e E2.

Three digestibility experiments on Arctic foxes were carried out. Control groups were fed standard diets (C1 and C2) composed of fresh or frozen animal by-products and steamed ground grain. Dry experimental diets (E1 and E2) contained animal meals, extracted meals and fat, were mixed with water prior to administration. In a preliminary experiment, the digestibility of dry diet E1 moistened with water for 15min and 24h was compared to determine the optimum moistening time during the experimental period proper. The preliminary experiment showed that moistening time had no significant effect on digestibility. In the main experiment, two independent digestibility trials were performed to compare the digestibility of diets fed to foxes during growth (C1 vs. E1) and fur development (C2 vs. E2). Better nutrient digestibility was noted for control diets, compared to experimental. The greatest differences were reported for total protein digestibility. Protein contained in meals undergoes denaturation during heat treatment, which reduces digestibility. It was found that the retention of nitrogen in relation to nitrogen digestion was higher in foxes fed experimental diets (E1 and E2).