Deer feed thats reall GOOD for them

Since there are only a couple of weeks left in deer season here in Texas (at least, where my lease is), I have been thinking about my feeder. I will leave it at the lease for the entire year and would like to put something in the feeder that is actually GOOD for the deer, not just good tasting to them (ie. corn). Something nutritious that will help their development throughout the year.

I already have a mineral block next to the feeder, but thus far the deer have seemed to ignore it. Has anyone heard of a feed I can put in the automatic feeder that will throw out something that is actually nutritious?

PS: planting a food plot is not really an alternative as the weather is not very condusive to them (too dry).

Chris,

This may help, quoted from the Wisconsin DNR magazine.

'Many people feed straight corn or large quantities of other culled foods like apples, pumpkins or hay. A pure corn diet, high in starch, can cause high acidity in the deer's rumen stomach, that can kill the bacteria deer need to disgest their food. Straight hay diets are also a poor feed chice in the winter. As food supplies dwindle, deer are less able to digest alfalfa fiber. Formulated pellets with a mix of corn, alfalfa, oats, soybeans, molasses, vitamins and minerals are available at some feed mills, but are more expensive. Moreover, once your start to feed, feeders must be continually stocked right through to snow melt, as the animals become more dependant on the food supply.'

I have 3 timed feeders going and generally use corn. After reading this I am also looking into alternatives to corn. I have used a product call 'Sanctuary' which is pellet form. It is something like 20% protein and promotes antler growth also. It costs more than corn here. $4.00 / 50lb for corn and $8.00 / 50lb for Sanctuary. But you can mix both together in the feeder. The thing I don't like about pellet feed is if it lays on the ground long and gathers moisture the pellets fall apart.

If you find any good products or feeds please post it. Thanks, Ed Kautz

Chris, it depends on what the deer in YOUR area normally eat. I seem to recall that many years ago in Michigan that some nice large bucks were transplanted from the lower part of the state to the northern end. Although food was abundant in their new home, a few of them almost starved to death because their systems could not extract the nutrients from the strange forage. That said, I would try to emulate the natural feed found in your area, as they may get no benefit from 'imported' feed. Keeping the mineral block available is an excellent idea because minerals are essential for good health and growth.

Chris, try Soybeans. Corn is a great source of carbohydrates but is pretty low in protein. Soybeans are bursting at the seams with protein and are a good source of carbs also. We planted a field of both (corn and soy)within 50 yrds of each other this year. The deer ate the soybeans from the time they came out of the ground (the plant itself is very good for Deer) and are still eating the dried seeds that are being held by plants that have been dead for 2 months, it's been in the last 3 weeks that they even noticed the dry corn. Next year the Soybean field is gonna get bigger Two years ago after seeing how the Deer, Dove AND Turkey on my uncles farm responded to a big agricultural field of Soybeans (you could'nt beat'em off with a shotgun!!) I became a BELIEVER.

Look around and see if you can find either old fashion wooden coke cases or the newer plastic varity that holds 24 bottles. Anchor both ends to the ground and then fill each compartment with feed. You'd have to check it every 2-3 days which could be a problem after the season.

There are some commercial deer blocks that have apple scent/falvoring plus vitamins and minerals along with corn, feed, etc. I paid $4.20 a block up in Fredericksberg at the Lockte Feed Store. Deer seem to love it. We place the blocks under the automatic corn feeders..

Sam A. Kersh NRA Life Member TSRA Life Member L.E.A.A., Life Member JPFO, GoA Ducks, Unlimited

Chris-

We've been feeding peas (blackeye) and pinto beans mixed in with corn. Any feed store should have either readily available. The price is somewhat higher ($6-$7/50 lbs) but worth it to us.

Both are protein-rich (though not 'complete' as that found in animal protein) and the deer seem to like them a lot, once they got around to eating them. As you well know, along with genetics, protein is a major determinant of body and antler size. Additionally, the legumes are good sources of B vitamins thiamin, niacin and folacin, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

We have a variety of feeders and all handle either ot both items well.

Dwayne Potter Austin, TX