CONCENTRATION OF AMMONIA AND VOLATILE FAT TY-ACIDS IN THE RUMEN FLUIDOF RED DEER, ROE DEER AND CHAMOIS

Samples of rumen fluid from 144 red deer, 94 roe deer and 164 chamois were analysed for concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and amm onia. The fermentation patterns were also determined. Differences betw een the species could be found: concentrations of ammonia were lowest for red deer, whereas concentrations of total volatile fatty acids wer e lowest for roe deer. Patterns of fatty acids were also different bet ween the species, e. g., samples from roe deer containing less acetic acid. Seasonal differences were also examined. The highest concentrati ons of ammonia and total volatile fatty acids were found in the sample s from spring, whereas the portions of acetic acid were lowest at this time. Results of the rumen fluid analyses are correlated with the bot anical and chemical composition of the species' feeds.