SUPPLY
WILDLIFE
antler
diet
The
Supplemental feeding gives
development a healthy start
a
By Scott Hohensee
supplemental feeding program for deer is a fun and
rewarding process if done correctly. To help you efficiently
get started with a supplemental feeding program on your
property we have summarized a few steps and management tips to
speed up the process.
Deer unfamiliar with a pelleted feed will require 30 to 45 days
to achieve a high rate of intake. This time period can be effected
by rainfall and the availability of native vegetation or food plots on
the property. The easiest time to start a pelleted feeding program is
during the winter months when the amount of native vegetation is
usually in a limited supply in comparison to the rest of the year.
For the best results, feed Purina® AntlerMax® deer feed using a free
choice protein feeder rather than an electric spin type feeder. The
downspout on an electric feeder will clog up due to moisture and
rainfall. A free choice feeder will provide pellets 24 hours a day and
the deer can consume the pellets on their schedule. In addition, free
choice pellets will allow the deer to consume the amount they need
to have a positive result on antler development. You must always
remember that a feeding program is only as effective as the management practices on the property. The actual results on antler development can vary depending upon feed intake and environmental
conditions.
When you first expose your deer herd to a pelleted feed, be sure
and mix whole corn with the pellets at a rate of 50:50 the first time.
You then need to gradually remove the corn in the mix until the
deer are consuming a 100% pellet ration. This may take anywhere
from two weeks to 60 days to accomplish depending on the current
habitat. If the deer back off the feed, mix more corn in the ration but
don’t exceed 50% corn. You can also put a spin feeder with corn next
to the protein feeder for 30-60 days to attract the deer to the site.
Remember to keep the feed fresh at all times. You never want to
put out more feed than the deer will consume in a 60 day period.
When you first get started, only put out a total pellet/corn mix of
200- 300 pounds to ensure the deer are always exposed to fresh feed.
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This will speed up the consumption process greatly.
In regards to feeder size, a 300 pound feeder is the minimum size.
I encourage you to go with a larger capacity feeder (1,000 pound
feeder) if you live a great distance from your property. Key advice is
just because you purchase a large capacity feeder does not mean you
have to fill it completely at first, but over time the extra capacity will
cut you down on trips to the property to fill it. Grow into the feeder
capacity without having to buy another feeder in the future.
If you have feral hogs or cattle on the property you will need to
put up hog panels (approximately 30” height) around the free choice
protein feeder. The panels need to be in a 60 feet diameter around
the feeder. This will allow sufficient room for the deer to interact in
the feed pen. Also build the feed pen in a circle rather than a square.
Circular pens tend to keep hogs out better than a square pen.
Scott Hohensee has been actively involved in wildlife management
and consulting since the mid 1990’s for private landowners in Texas.
Scott joined the Purina Animal Nutrition team five years ago as a
Wildlife Specialist. He has the working knowledge of deer management
and what it takes to successfully raise big deer in the field. You can
reach Scott at [email protected].