Home -> Deer breeding
Deer breeding
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During the summer of 2007 there will be a new deer enclosure built at the facilities.
The enclosure is estimated to have an area of 45 hectares (450.000 m2) and will be made in to a range of different landscapes like farming land, woodland and grazing area.
In connection to the enclosure there will also be an abbatoir.
If things go to plan we expect to expand the enclosure after 2010.
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Pictures from the enclosure, here pastureland
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Why a Wild Enclosure?
There are several reasons behind our philosophy to develop wild breeding. Knowledge and interest in deer breeding and the market for wild meat is growing in Sweden and there is good reason to believe that its import will be very expensive in the future. We also believe in the merits of stress-free breeding, away from closed, unhygenic barns and animal transportion.
The meat is tasty, light, healthy and is highly preservable because of its low fat content.
However, this must all be weighed against access to suitable land and synergy effects with other our activities.
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The fallow deer will outnumber...
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The Deer in the Enclosure
The enclosure will initially (February-2008) contain 125 fallow deers and 5 red deer for breeding. From the calves that will come the pick of them will be kept in the enclosure as future breeding stock. The final number of animals in the enclosure will be determined by the sustainability of the woodland and general wear of the enclosure itself as well as access to food during summer.
Whilst it causes no problems to mix the fallows and red deer in the same area, it neither holds any benefits beyond our wishing to be able to show and teach about both wild breeds to guests, cottage renters or customers to the farm that are interested.
The deer selected for meat production are put down in their home environment inside the enclosure by a head shot with a silenced weapon under usual firearms guidelines. The animals are not gathered together to be put down, but can walk around freely.
Therefore, the slaughter will be very peaceful and non-stressful to the animals which under normal circumstances would seek out a safe place (usually thick wood) away from danger.
The selection and slaughter usually takes a long time, especially in large rugged enclosures, but the advantages managing safe and non-stressed animals outbalance any disadvantages.
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...the red deer which grow to twice the size.
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The Abbatoir
At the farm there will be an abbatoir in 2008. In this we can skin, subdivide and pack the meat and byproducts for sales to consumers in the region.
Naturally, the deer meat from our own enclosure will form the foundation of the work but there will also be a limited amount of elk and roe deer meat that will pass through here.
The sales will be to restaurants, private customers directly at the farm, markets and local shops.
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The abbatoir as it will be.
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Study Visits to our Deer Enclosure
You may contact us and request a guided tour (on foot) inside the deer enclosure, except during certain delicate periods such as mating and calving season.
Here you will be able to learn about the red and fallow deers, the enclosure’s production facilities and of course experience the gorgeous nature here.
Welcome to Ormsätter!
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For those quiet and careful enough inside the enclosure, they may be fortunate to be afforded a solemn meeting with a grand wild deer.
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