3 Blades

I was thinking of giving the local deer some food through this comeing winter. I plan on feeding some corn but was wondering if I could substitute hay as an easy winter browse. Has anyone had any luck feeding hay in the winter?

dick_cress

The nutritional balance of hay may or may not be a good idea. I' d check with your state wildlife biologists. There are definitly ways to help but this advice should come from a specialist.

We put out two mineral licks for deer and elk this year but the formula was designed by a Wildlife Specialist to provide the rumanants with nutrutional supplements that help them grow in every way.

So DO IT but check first to make sure you aren' t doing more harm than good.

nub

I don' t now where your from blades, but feeding deer can do them more harm than good. Take corn for example. Deer that are not used to it can build up excess lactic acid causing arthritic symtoms. Some get severe diarrhea. Some may even die. All because its not part of their natual diet. Not to mention the diseases that can spread from close contact around your little " feed lot" . Do the deer a favor and let them survive on their own. Or at least talk to your DNR biologist so you don' t do more harm than good.

Rob/PA Bowyer

Good post Nub...and when it comes to hay, unless it' s a fresh alphalpha or clover hay, they may bed in it, they may not eat it.....like Nub says, you might do the deer more harm than good. A deers metabolisism slows dramatically over the winter unless the winter is extremely harsh, they' ll be fine. If you do feel the need to feed, find a high protein source of food and if you start, don' t stop or you could kill your deer especially if they abondon thier natural courses and become reliable on you. If the food source isn' t a good one, they could starve on a full stomach.

S.Texas

FYI -
Did you know that in quality habitat that less than 5% of a deers diet is actually grass.