Feeding practice in moose (Alces alces) husbandry

Feeding practice in moose (Alces alces) husbandry In 25 facilities keeping a total of 73 moose, the feeding and husbandry conditions were recorded during two visits in winter and summer, respectively. Animals were classified according to a body condition score, a faeces consistency score, behavioural parameters, and the state of their hooves. Samples of the feeds used were taken and analyzed for nutrient, fibre and mineral content. With these data, the nutrient content of the offered rations was calculated. Five rations each in winter and summer did not meet the calculated energy requirements of the animals. There was a correlation between the body condition score and the amount of feeds offered to the moose, which indicates that food supply alone, regardless of diet composition, was a limiting factor in the population of this study. Moose that received less food more often displayed a typical searching behaviour. There were large differences between facilities in diet composition and feeding regime, in the supply of fresh browse, in the deworming regime, and in other husbandry factors. More than half of all bull moose on display had small velvet lacerations on their cranial antler tips due to poor feeding trough design. The amount of dietary protein offered did not differ between facilities in which the animals did and did not display overgrown hooves. Most diets had concentrations of soluble carbohydrates that would trigger acidosis in domestic ruminants. As hay is not readily accepted by moose as a fibre source, another way to increase dietary fibre is necessary, ideally through browse.