You may be wondering what can you put in a deer feeding station besides corn. There are several options. Here is a list of fruits, nuts, cotton seed, and alfalfa to include. These foods are all high in protein and are beneficial for deer’s health, especially during the winter months. In addition to these foods, you can also include deer protein supplements.
Nuts
Although some people may be wary of adding nuts to a deer feeder, they can help your deer eat healthier. While many plant-based foods are fine for deer, it is best to stay away from corn. This is because corn is too high in carbohydrates, which deer cannot digest. Corn can cause deer to suffer from acidosis, which can be deadly. Peanuts, on the other hand, are a woody plant that deer can easily digest.
Another great way to attract deer to your feeder is by offering acorns, chestnuts, and apples. These are all great sources of energy and contain less tannin than corn. Deer also prefer chestnuts because they are easier to digest and have lower tannin levels. However, you should remember that deer do not like grass and will probably pass on the corn if you offer them an unfamiliar food.
Fruits
Deer have a preference for plants with low-calorie content such as nuts and acorns. Fruits like mulberries, blackberries, and plums are preferred by deer. Fruits are also useful for fat storage. However, deer prefer crops with high-quality nutritional value, such as oats. If you want to attract a deer population, you should offer fruit in a deer feeder.
While corn is the most affordable food source for deer, this type of food is not very healthy for them and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. Deer need protein to build their antlers and nurse their fawns. They also prefer acorns, and most areas have abundant amounts of red oak acorns. If you can’t find acorns in your area, you can buy some. Fruits and vegetables are safe for deer and won’t cause digestive problems.
Alfalfa
The best deer food for winter is woody browse. Corn is a poor substitute for woody browse because deer need protein, fat, and fiber to survive the winter. Alfalfa, hay, and corn piles are great sources of these nutrients. In addition, deer enjoy soft mast and chestnuts. While these foods may not be good for humans, they are perfect for deer.
Using commercial deer corn can be a mistake, because it’s not the best choice for feeding deer in the winter. In addition, commercial deer corn does not meet the nutritional standards of corn used for other livestock. Unlike corn, which has been proven to kill deer, it’s safe to put Alfalfa in a deer feeder besides corn.
Cotton seed
When it comes to deer feeding, the use of cotton seed in deer feeders besides corn is a great way to supplement their diets with higher-quality protein. Although whole cottonseed is not as expensive as protein pellets, it lacks some of the nutrients found in whole corn. Also, cottonseed is inedible by other animals, and the cost is about half that of pellets.
A common mistake in feeding cottonseed is to place it in a random spot in the deer feeder. This can cause disappointment and complaints in forums. Instead, place cotton seed in deer feeders only once a week or two. If you use corn as a regular meal, you can increase the amount of cottonseed by as much as two-thirds. It will take a couple of months to reach that point.
Rice bran
You can purchase rice bran at a feed store and mix it with corn or other attracting food to attract deer. It’s a cheap, dry option that works well in the Southern United States. It has the unique ability to lure bucks into your deer feeder and pattern them, ultimately leading to a kill. Rice bran is easy to mix and can be poured directly on the ground or in a long line, but there are better ways. You can purchase it bulk and mix it with commercial attractants or molasses to make it even more effective.
Rice bran has similar properties to corn, and it’s great for attracting whitetail deer. It is rich in phosphorous and is easy to digest. However, rice bran is best used as an energy supplement, not as the primary food source. In addition, rice bran deteriorates rapidly in the environment and is not as easy to find as corn. However, you should still give your deer plenty of fresh grains, as the presence of alfatoxins could potentially cause toxicity to your deer.
