Recently, some farmers in Thuan Hung commune (My Tu district, Soc Trang province) have boldly invested in converting to the model of raising spotted deer for velvet antlers, initially bringing success.
Taking us to visit a well-invested deer farm, considered the first deer farming model in Soc Trang province, Mr. Lam Khen (70 years old) shared his passion.
In 2022, while focusing on farming and gardening, he accidentally learned about the model of raising spotted deer for velvet in Tien Giang province through newspapers and radio.
After visiting the farm to learn more, I realized that this is a new model. Sika deer are wild animals so they are easy to raise, require little care, and are very popular in the market.
From then on, he decided to spend all his savings to build a barn and import 14 spotted deer (2 males, 12 females).
The initial cost was about 1 billion VND. After a period of raising, the female deer gave birth. There are currently 16 deer left in the barn.
Sika deer are wild animals, so they have strong resistance, are less susceptible to diseases, and are easy to adapt to all climatic conditions. Especially in the Western region, the temperate climate and fresh green food all year round are favorable for developing a model of raising sika deer.
According to Mr. Khen, the deer pens are simple, but must be dry and airy. The pens are made into small, fenced cells, and each pen only raises one deer. The floor of the pen is lined with rice husks and coconut fiber to prevent the deer from getting sore feet and to ensure hygiene and absorb the waste the deer excrete every day.
Deer raised for more than 2 years produce velvet antlers, but because the deer is still young, the velvet antlers are small. Deer reaching adulthood will produce large and quality velvet antlers. The spotted deer are being raised by Mr. Khen's family, a farmer in Thuan Hung commune (My Tu district, Soc Trang province).
Compared to other livestock such as buffalo, cows, pigs, goats, etc., although the initial investment is high, sika deer are easy to care for and do not require daily cleaning of the barn. He uses grass, leaves, vegetables, and fruits in his garden to feed the deer. Every day, he feeds the deer 3 meals. Therefore, the cost of raising deer is not too expensive.
Sika deer are raised for more than 2 years to produce velvet, but because the deer is still young, the velvet is small. It must be from 5-7 years old, the deer reaches adulthood to produce large and quality velvet. Deer velvet from 45-50 days reaches the standard for harvest, if delayed from 55-60 days, the velvet will be old, reducing its value.
Every 8 months, male deer produce antlers once, averaging 500-800 grams/animal. Currently, fresh deer antlers are sold for 13-15 million VND/kg.
To strictly manage this high-value livestock model, Mr. Khen's family pays great attention to the growth and development of livestock through keeping a livestock monitoring book.
"Currently, the deer antler product is also sold by a company. They guide the cutting of the antlers and then buy the antlers back, so Mr. Khen's family is very secure.
"I record every time I vaccinate and when to harvest velvet. When the velvet has bloomed, it is time to cut it after 45 days. After 45 days, the velvet is old and very difficult to sell," said Mr. Khen.
Ms. Chau Thi Muoi, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Thuan Hung Commune (My Tu District, Soc Trang Province) said: "Mr. Khen's model of raising spotted deer for antlers is a new model in the locality, currently only his family is raising them. This model has opened up a new direction in animal husbandry, helping to diversify livestock in the locality, bringing high economic efficiency.
Although it is a new model, it has initially shown high economic efficiency. The locality is very supportive and will soon conduct research to replicate the model according to local conditions, creating conditions for people to access many preferential capital sources and link output for products, contributing to the development of deer herds and increasing income for people."
Source: https://danviet.vn/huou-sao-con-dong-vat-hoang-da-mac-ao-hoa-nuoi-thanh-cong-o-soc-trang-nhung-15-trieu-kg-20250208235749288.htm
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