Farm Layout for Deer and Elk*

Agdex#:	400/20
Publication Date:	06/99
Order#:	99-017
Last Reviewed:	07/03
History:	Original Factsheet
Written by:	P. E Martin - Firgrove Farms; Dr. Bob Wright - Veterinary Scientist, Equine and Alternative Livestock/OMAFRA

Table of Contents

• Considerations
• Land
• Species Of Deer
• Paddocks
• Raceway
• Handling Facility
• Access of vehicles and machinery
• Water, Feed and Shelter
• Summary
• For more information...

Considerations

Once the species of deer and anticipated herd size is determined, an efficient plan for the layout of the farm must be developed.

The basic concept of all deer farming systems is similar. However, differences arise due to the size and temperament of the various species of deer.

Considerations include:

• quality and topography of the land
• shape, size and location of paddocks, including holding and drafting areas and winter yards
• number of paddocks and gates
• predator-proof fawning/calving paddocks
• raceway to connect all paddocks to the handling facilities
• flexibility to move animals as required
• design of the handling facility and restraint systems
• water and electrical supply
• year-round access to storage areas and handling facilities by vehicles and machinery
• shelter
• feeding and watering systems.

The importance of a good design for the handling areas cannot be overemphasized. With a little forethought, these areas will need minimal change over the years. They may only require the addition of an extra set of yards for holding or sorting increased numbers of deer.

To prevent escapes, locate the handling facility and loading chute inside, but not abutting, the perimeter fence. A double-gate pass-through area at the main entry gate, which is off-limits to the deer, will also prevent escapes. This area should be a minimum length of 15 m (50 ft), with enough length for a tractor and wagon or truck to pass through and secure the first gate prior to opening the second gate.

With an effective layout, deer may be moved from one area of the farm to another and sorted with minimum stress and injury to either the stock or the handlers.

Land

In general, good productive land will result in the lowest cost of production per head. With careful planning, the most land possible will be enclosed with the least amount of fence.

It is recommended that wetlands, ponds, streams, flood plains, ditches, areas of heavy snow drifting, very rocky or hilly land, as well as wooded areas not be fenced. Floods and snow drifts may destroy fences or allow deer to get out. Rocky, hilly and heavily wooded areas are more expensive to fence and generally provide a lesser volume and quality of forage material. In addition, deer will eventually destroy trees which are not protected.

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Species Of Deer

When planning the layout of paddocks, raceways, and sorting and handling yards, it is important to understand the nature of the deer to be raised. Although the same basicprinciples apply to all deer, each species has some very specific needs. For specifics, see Factsheet 97-027, Fencing for Deer and Elk.

Escape Prevention Tips

• Build a double-gate pass-through area at the main entry gate to which the deer do not have access. This area should be long enough to permit a tractor and wagon or truck to pass through and secure the first gate prior to opening the second gate, thus reducing the opportunity for escape.
• Deer are most likely to attempt to jump fences in the handling facility. Fences or walls must be of sufficient height to discourage jumping. For added security, locate the handling facility inside, but not abutting, the perimeter fence.

Variations include:

• mesh size and height of wire fences
• height and strength of gates and latches
• size and design of raceway and handling facility
• types of restraint devices.

Environmentally Friendly Practices

• Maintain water quality and prevent erosion by fencing off ponds, rivers, streams and stream banks.
• Transmission of parasites to and from wildlife will be minimized by keeping stock away from watercourses.
• Fence off treed areas to protect and maintain them as wind shelters.

Paddocks

The number and size of paddocks should reflect the
projected number of deer at capacity. Plan an adequate number of paddocks to hold the deer as required through the year and to allow for sorting purposes. Consider the following:

• different ages and sexes have different nutritional needs
• males of breeding age will fight and damage fences if they are in adjacent paddocks during the rut (breeding season)
• separate paddocks for various breeding groups
• separate paddocks for non-breeding males
• fawning paddocks
• newly-weaned fawns will attempt to reunite with their dams so their paddocks should be fenced appropriately or be as far away as possible from that of their dams
• a rotational grazing system requires a series of paddocks of 1.5-5 acres each
• locate holding paddocks for sick animals, or for sorting purposes, close to the handling facility.

There are differing views regarding the ideal shape of a paddock. Some like long and narrow paddocks, others prefer pie-shaped ones. Partial fences known as wing fences, which funnel deer towards the gates, work well in rectangular or square paddocks, particularly for fallow deer.

Putting paddocks close to the house will accustom deer to the owners and the deer will become less nervous.

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Raceway

A raceway linking all paddocks to the handling facility is a necessity. Each paddock should have at least one gate which provides access to the raceway. If this is not possible, every paddock should have access to the raceway through an empty paddock. Gates should be strategically located in the raceway to allow as much flexibility as possible when moving deer. Stop gates to prevent deer from breaking back or from going in an unintended direction are useful. Gateways placed at an angle to the fence, rather than parallel to the fence, will make for easier access for equipment. (See feature 6 in farm layout on page 4.)

The raceway must be wide enough, usually 5-10 m (16-33 ft), to allow movement of machinery and stock to all paddocks and the handling facility, even when snow drifts become a problem.

When being herded, deer like to move around corners and out of sight of their handlers. Incorporating bends and turns in the raceways allows the deer to do this. Straight raceways in excess of 100 m (330 ft) in length should, therefore, be avoided.

A turn from the raceway into the handling facility, as well as a visual barrier of solid wood or wood battens in these areas, will prevent deer from running into the fences or gates while under pressure. Narrowing a very wide raceway as it approaches the handling facility improves handling.

Deer can leap over very high barriers, particularly if given a downhill run. Therefore, avoid placing a gate from the raceway into a handling area at the bottom of a hill. Stress could cause them to jump over the gate or fence.

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Handling Facilty

A facility for sorting and handling deer increases the speed and ease of doing routine management and veterinary procedures.

Escape Prevention

Surveys indicate that the main causes of escape of farmed deer are open gates and inadequate fencing.

Preventative measures

• Use recommended fencing only.
• Place handling facilities within, but not abutting, the perimeter fence.
• Build a pass-through with double gates at main entry to allow easy, yet secure, access for trucks, tractors, etc.
• Keep deer in central paddocks during the winter.
• Fence off ditches, creeks and rivers.
  

What to do if deer escape?

• Entice the animals back calmly and quietly, using feed to attract them to an entrance into a paddock.
• Ensure that the rest of the herd is safe.
• Identify the cause of the escape.
• Notify the Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ontario Deer and Elk Farmers Association and surrounding land owners.
• Obtain a tranquilizer gun and drugs from your veterinarian if necessary.
• Once the deer are back, keep them separate for a while for observation.

A site where water and electricity can be provided, and which is well drained to allow for year-round use, is essential for the handling facility. Level ground simplifies construction of fences and gates.

The key elements of the facility are holding pens, a covered area equipped with a work area and a restraint device, and a loading ramp for transport.

A covered shed will be more comfortable to work deer in and has a calming effect on them. It can be quite small if enough sorting and holding pens are located in close proximity.

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Access of Vehicles and Machinery

Vehicles and machinery with trailers or wagons must be able to move easily into and around paddocks, raceways and storage areas. Gates must be conveniently located and made wide enough to allow machinery to get through comfortably. Vehicles must also have year-round access to the loading ramp. Installation of two or three different heights of hinge pins on the gate post allows for raising the gates when snow becomes packed around the gateways.

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Water, Feed and Shelter

The layout of the farm must include a plan for feeding and watering the stock, and for providing shelter.

Year-round access to clean water in each paddock is essential. Frost-free water hydrants or heated water bowls are some of the essential equipment.

Grain troughs mounted on the fence adjoining the raceway or located in the paddocks are the preferred ways of feeding grain to deer. Whichever system is chosen, one must ensure year round access to these areas.

Deer should have access to natural or constructed shelter areas which provide protection from weather extremes. Simple shelters provide wind protection and will reduce undue stress on the deer. Keep in mind that, although wooded areas will provide shelter, trees will eventually be destroyed by the deer.

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Summary

Total construction costs combined with the over-all efficiency of the layout in terms of management of supplies and equipment, together with ease of movement and handling of livestock, are necessary considerations.

Certain compromises will invariably have to be made. However, a good plan will require very few changes over the years and will include the best available land at the lowest cost possible.

A simple layout which incorporates all the necessary features to handle deer.

Features:

1. * Handling facility within, but not abutting, the perimeter fence
2. * Double-gate pass-through at main entry
3. * Option to take equipment directly into the field without using the raceway
4. * Turn into handling facility from the raceway
5. * Boarded or slatted fence in the last 10-20 m (33-66 ft) of raceway and around the handling facility
6. Angled gate entrances to give maximum manoeuvrability
7. Stop gate in the raceway
8. Raceway width 5-10 m (16-33 ft)
9. Gates between paddocks
10. Locked gate on the perimeter fence to facilitate recovery of escaped deer
11. Driveway
12. Wing fence to help funnel deer towards raceway

* enlarged in the insert

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