Mother-offspring bonding in farmed red deer: accuracy of visual observation verified by DNA analysis

The accuracy of a maternity assessment based on visual observation was tested during the post parturient phase in farmed red deer. The mother of the calf was determined using visual observation of the hind's peri-parturient and early maternal behaviour during the first week of the calf's life. This assessment was compared with genetic analysis based on DNA microsatellite polymorphism. Data for 48 new-born calves and 50 hinds were compared. The visual assessment of maternity was correct in 43 of the 48 cases (89.58%). In the five remaining cases the mother was identified by DNA testing whereas adoptive mother was determined by visual observation. Altogether 14 cases of adoption were seen in this study and in 9 cases the biological mother was correctly determined by visual observation. Detailed observation of the hind-calf interactions during calving and the first week after the parturition allowed an accurate prediction of maternity. However, such observation is technically demanding.