Farming Fallows

Fallow deer
Fallow deer are a semi-domesticated animal and are very efficient grazers that produce a high-yielding carcass. Fallow deer have the ability to adapt to widely varying climates and are a hardy, disease-free and low-maintenance animal. Fallow deer have gained popularity as a livestock alternative due to their low aggressiveness, ease of handling and their natural immunity to many diseases. They have low labor requirements, need little feed compared to other livestock and can be successfully raised on a few acres of land. Fallow deer venison is recognized as an extra lean red meat with excellent taste and texture; it is considered by many traditionally trained chefs to be one of the finest meat products of any animal flesh available for preparation for the gourmet table.
The two subspecies of fallow deer are the European and the Mesopotamian fallow deer. The Mesopotamian fallow deer are approximately one-third larger animal than their European relative. The two subspecies can crossbreed and produce fertile offspring. Popular with trophy hunters, the bucks have distinctive well-developed palmated (flattened, similar to moose horn) antlers that usually have numerous points. The coat color of the fallow deer varies; there are four main color phases. These colors include white, menil (all brown, or brown with white spots), common (ginger, often with white spots) and black. Color has no bearing on the size of the animal or meat quality.
In Europe, this species has been farmed for almost 2,000 years. On a world-wide basis, fallow deer are the most numerous "farmed" breed for meat production, after free-range Scandinavian reindeer, and have been widely introduced throughout several countries due to their adaptability. Many nations on several continents and some American states now have wild sport hunted populations that originated from fallow deer introduced by way of farming/ranching operations.
Fallow deer are grazer/browsers and herd animals. The breeding season is October through November. The does can be productive for 20 years and have a gestation period of 233 days. Birthing difficulties are very rare. The stags are non-aggressive, even in the rut, making fallow deer a very safe species for the farm operator and staff to work around. The animals are very adaptable to varying climate conditions and facilities and need very little shelter; however, windbreak cover is recommended in areas with cold winters for necessary protection from inclement weather. Fallow deer should have a clean water source and should have access to shade.
These animals do well in various pasture combinations and are very adaptable. They are also easy on pastures and do not wallow. Unlike other livestock species, they do not pace fence lines, which causes soil erosion problems within enclosures. They are very cautious and tend to flee ahead of anything or anyone following them. This makes them easy to herd and to move from one enclosure to another. Once herded into a dimly lighted facility, they become very calm and are easily handled.