UK deer breeding ages

STALKING

Do all the species of deer found in the UK breed at the same time — for example, when they have become adults — or are some older than others when they begin to have young?

Ranging in size from muntjac to red deer, our various species reach sexual maturity at different ages, so there is no commonality between them as to when they begin to reproduce. In general, the smaller the animal the quicker it will reach sexual maturity. As the smallest deer, muntjac females will start to breed quickest, and be pregnant by the time they are around eight months old.

They do not have a fixed breeding period but rather come back into oestrous soon after giving birth, so, in effect, are continually pregnant.

This helps to explain why muntjac have been so successful in expanding their numbers.

The other five species have fixed rutting periods, all in the second half of the year, most in the autumn. Roe does will be mated when they are 14 months old. With the three larger species, sexual maturity can be achieved in the first 16 months of life, but in the case of red deer, particularly those living in harsh hill environments, the animal may be three years old before it produces its first calf. Much has to do with the body mass the animal attains and this will reflect food availability as well as environmental and weather conditions. IW

Our deer reach sexual maturity at different ages — muntjac, the smallest UK species, start to breed quickest