Chromic Oxide as an Indicator of Total Fecal Output in White-tailed Deer

Abstract

Two captive rumen-fistulated white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were used to evaluate chromic oxide as an external indicator of total fecal output. Acknowledging the limitation imposed by having only two rumen-fistulated animals, accurate estimates of total daily fecal output were made by combining average values obtained from sampling at different times during the day. Factors which contributed to diurnal variation in excretion of chromic oxide should be studied further before the technique can be of practical value.