Xifeng Sika Deer

Xifeng Sika Deer

Xifeng Sika Deer is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The Xifeng Sika Deer is China’s second cultivated breed of sika deer, successfully developed in 1995 by Li Jinglong and others from the Farming and Reclamation Bureau of Xifeng County, Liaoning Province. (1) Distribution of Breeding Areas

　　　　It is mainly distributed in Xifeng County, Tieling City, Liaoning Province, and has been introduced to 14 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China, with a total population of over 5,000. The current population is...

　　　　(2) Morphological Characteristics

　　　　The breed has a medium build and a relatively short body. Adult stags stand 98–108 cm tall at the shoulder, measure 102–109 cm in body length, and weigh 110–130 kg. They have prominent shoulder humps, large chest and abdominal girths, and shorter, stockier limbs. Their heads are square-shaped with wide foreheads and large eyes. The antler base is broad, with thick, long, and robust main beams and brow tines; the brow tines are relatively thin and short, and the distance between them is large (see Color Plate 20). Mature does stand 81–91 cm tall, measure 87–95 cm in length, and weigh 65–81 kg.

　　　　(3) Production Performance

　　　　1. Antler Production: Stags aged 1 to 10 antler growth cycles (or older) produce an average of 3.06 kg of fresh antlers per head, with peak antler production occurring at age 8. The main antler beam measures 44–52 cm, brow tines 21–27 cm, brow palm 15–17 cm, and brow palm circumference 16–18 cm. The high-quality antler rate is 71%, and the deformed antler rate is 7.6%. Among harvested stags, 70.9% yield fresh antlers weighing over 3.0 kg; for first-harvest stags, the three-pronged antler rate is 85.2%.

　　　　2. Reproductive Performance: The reproductive survival rate of multiparous does is 70–78%, with fawn birth weights averaging 6.3 ± 0.8 kg (males) and 5.8 ± 0.7 kg (females).

　　　　(4) Breeding Value

　　　　The Xifeng Sika Deer is highly valued for breeding due to its high and stable yield of premium antlers, early maturity, stable genetic traits, and high phenotypic and genetic breeding parameters. As such, it holds significant breeding potential. When used as a sire...