Digestibility of forage diets of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus, Hays) using different ruminal fluid inocula

Ruminal inocula obtained from goat, cow and feral and captive deer were used to determine in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of forages and diets consumed by white tailed deer in a temperate forest in Mexico. No differences (P > 0.05) in IVDMD were detected using different inoculum sources. The IVDMD (%) of granuneae component of diet was lower (P < 0.05) for deer ruminal fluid (feral 23.0, captive 28.0) than that from domestic ruminants (cow 31.9, goat 31.5). Correlation coefficients results using ruminal fluids from feral deer and domestic ruminants were high (0.97-0.99). The IVDMD of the forage diets varied significantly among plant groups and seasons and was 48% (summer), 32% (fall) and 29% (winter). Ruminal fluid from domestic ruminants can be used to estimate digestibility of forages consumed by feral white tailed deer.