The rutting season begins at the Domaine in mid-October and concerns cervids. The estate has around 30 stags, fallow deer, hinds, doe and small fawns spread over 2 huge parks. The period may change from year to year, as this is a natural phenomenon.
What is the stag?
It is the scream the deers make to attract the females’ attention during the love season. It is also an intimidating scream destined to other males.
For the fallow deer, it is called the “raire”. It has the same function but is a lot less loud.
What happens in the parks of the Domaine?
In the wild, the cervids are more virulent at night and in the morning, however our animals are used to the peaceful presence of the customers and it enables you to witness the stag and hear the male’s scream even during the day.
The more experienced ones try to intimidate the younger ones, but the competition is serious. They have a lot to do night and day to win this year the title of dominant male: the one who will mate with all the females.
The fights cannot be avoided. A lot of customers will have the chance to hear the woods clash from their cabin.
The animal carers of the Domaine also have a lot to do: they have to check the state of the fences many times a day. Also, sometimes to male will be stuck in eachother’s woods and are seriously wounded, which could cause a strong exhaustion between the two and even cause their death (as it happens in the wild).
It’s a physically demanding period, when the animals eat almost nothing and have no rest; they can lose up to 20 kg. The young males have their best chance at the end of the rut, when the old males, exhausted, can no longer look after their entire herd of up to ten females.
Did you know?
The fertile period for hinds and daines is very short, lasting less than a day. Males, on the other hand, can mate for almost a month.
The stag is nearly over, the exhausted males will get better and prepare for winter. Pregnant females will already enter in their gestation period (8 months). Now for everybody, their occupation is eat-sleep!
Nature has thought of everything. At this time of year, there’s a wealth of food available. We therefore invite you, dear holidaymakers , to go foraging on the estate and collect acorns and chestnuts to feed them: they love them!
We close on November 03, 2024, and the last visitors will marvel at the splendid autumn colors that cover the Domaine and the unique atmosphere of our animal parks during this period!
There’s still some availability for a stay in September or October, and especially during the All Saints’ vacation period, so take advantage of our current promotions on camping or in an unusual lodge.