What is the primary physiological risk of feeding deer high-starch corn during winter stress?
Answer
Disruption of rumen microbial balance leading to acidosis or bloat
When deer are under winter stress, their digestive system is adapted for lower-quality, higher-fiber browse. Suddenly introducing large quantities of high-starch feeds, like corn or grain, causes a crisis. The rapid digestion of starch overwhelms the delicate microbial ecosystem residing within the rumen, which is responsible for fermentation. This disruption can lead to acidosis (a dangerous drop in rumen pH) or bloat, conditions that severely impair nutrient absorption and can quickly become fatal to the animal.
Related Questions
What physiological classification describes the white-tailed deer's survival strategy based on food selection?Which primary food source is king during the Spring Protein Rush due to high nutritional return?What constitutes the backbone of the white-tailed deer's diet during the lean months of winter?What highly sought-after food source dictates the deer diet in the Fall to build necessary fat reserves?Which plant category is generally the least desirable for a concentrate selector like the deer?What key anatomical features enable a deer to delicately pick out specific plant parts?What approximate percentage of their body weight must deer consume daily from spring through fall to maintain health?What is the primary physiological risk of feeding deer high-starch corn during winter stress?How does acidic or phosphorus-deficient local soil structure impact the nutritional quality of spring forbs?What dietary shift occurs as summer progresses because forbs begin increasing in lignin content?