What is Deer Velvet?
Each spring the male deer grows a new set of antlers. In their early stage of growth these antlers are called Deer Velvet, and consist of cartilage with an abundant blood supply and a covering of velvety skin. Inside they resemble bone marrow. If they are not removed the Deer Velvet continues to grow into bone and eventually become the long hard antler seen on wild deer. During the autumn/winter mating season the stags use these as weapons to fight each other in the quest to be the strongest male. For this reason it is important when farming deer to remove the antlers in order to prevent the animals from harming each other. The hard antlers are naturally cast in the early spring when the new antlers begin to grow again. Fortunately Deer Velvet has a commercial use. When it has been growing for around 60 days it contains the optimum nutrients for use as a dietary supplement and can be removed without harm to the animal. Once removed it is cooled then immediately frozen before going on t
