Angular limb deformities due to distal radial physeal osteochondrosis in farmed deer stags in New Zealand.

Osteochondrosis has a multifactorial aetiology and we propose that an increased requirement for nutrients for velvet production and increased weight-bearing stress (behaviour and rapid weight gain) may lead to progression of osteochondrosis and ALD in these deer. The involvement of periods of copper deficiency is unclear at this time.