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Kōrero: Deer and deer farming

Velvet antlers

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Velvet antlers

Velvet is the name given to deer antlers in their early stage of growth, before they harden into bone. Velvet antlers are soft tissue, covered with fine hair – hence the name. They grow very quickly – up to 2 centimetres per day. This stag shows about 60 days' growth. On each antler the tyne closest to the head is called brow, the second is bez (pronounced 'bay'), and the third is trez (pronounced 'tray').

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Deer Industry New Zealand

by Vanessa Crowley

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Ken Drew, Deer and deer farming – Velvet antler production, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/15828/velvet-antlers (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Ken Drew, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.