Deer farming produces venison and in some countries velvet antler for traditional medicine. Welfare challenges include the stress-sensitive nature of deer, transport welfare and velvet antler removal procedures.
Farmed deer welfare is complicated by the fundamental tension between deer's nature as flight animals adapted to open landscapes and the requirements of commercial farming. Deer that perceive a threat attempt to flee - in enclosed farm settings, flight responses can lead to fence collision, panic, injury and capture myopathy (potentially fatal muscle breakdown). Skilled deer stockmanship minimises stress through calm, quiet handling techniques; poorly managed deer farms expose animals to repeated high-intensity stress events. Velvet antler removal without adequate anaesthesia adds unnecessary acute pain to an already stress-sensitive production context.