CHARACTERISTICS OF MOOSE LACTATION AND NEONATAL GROWTH

Milk composition, neonatal milk intake, and growth of captive, maternally raised, singleton moose calves (Alces alces gigas) were measured during the first 4 months post partum. Milk intake rose to a peak of 4760 +/- 1017 g/day at day 23 and then decreased with increasing calf age. Milk fat and crude protein levels declined until the time of peak milk output, and then increased. Ash content remained relatively constant whereas carbohydrate content diminished as lactation progressed. At peak output, milk averaged 20.5 +/- 1.5% dry matter, 7.9 +/- 1.5% fat, 7.2 +/- 0.4% protein, 1.4 +/- 0.1% ash, 3.7 +/- 0.2% carbohydrate, and 1.29 +/- 0.13 kcal/g wet mass (1 kcal = 4.18 kJ). The growth rates of maternally raised calves during the first 30 days (785 +/- 115 g/day) were higher than those reported for bottle-raised calves.