Deer feeders make it possible for wildlife enthusiasts as well as deer hunters to attract deer. Whether you use a feeder to attract deer in your backyard or incorporate into a deer management plan, the feeder is something you will want to use. Deer feeders come in varying designs and sizes, so you have a lot to choose from in this respect.
Protecting Deer in the Winter
Typically, the feeder supplies food in the form of grain to deer. In some cases, a blended feed may be introduced for optimal nutrition. If you do feed deer in the winter, it can assist with the animals’ survival in extremely cold temperatures or during times of heavy snowfall.
Deer feeding should be allocated in moderate amounts to avoid the bait and feeding of the animals – a practice that is outlawed in many parts of the US. After all, you do not want to intervene by providing several hundred pounds of corn for the animals. Otherwise, you will attract a large and unwanted gathering.
The Development of Acidosis
This type of corn feed can lead to a condition known as acidosis. Acidosis develops when deer eat large amounts of carbs with reduced fibre. Acidosis is also called corn toxicity. Usually, a deer’s menu in the winter is made up of woody browse, which is a high-fibre food deer love. The food is made up of twigs, buds, and the leaves of woody plants.
If a deer suddenly eat low fibre carbs, such as corn, its system can react by producing an increase of lactic acid. When this happens, dehydration often results, leading to a deer’s death 24 to 72 hours later.
Supplemental Feeding
The installation of a deer feeder is recommended over merely spilling out a large amount of corn over the winter landscape. For deer managers or hunters, supplemental feeding is always on their minds. That is because supplemental feeding can be used to increase antler size – something that concerns deer managers and hunters both.
In fact, one study in Texas noted that feeding bucks 16% crude protein led to antler growth that scored 20 inches higher over the deer that were fed half that amount. By knowing the formula of the deer feed and what feeder should be used, a supplemental feeding program can indeed benefit a herd.
The Benefits of Using a Feeder
The feeder provides several advantages over placing feed on the ground. Not only does the feeder keep the feed from getting soggy or mouldy, a locking lid keeps the nutrition away from nuisance animals. Feeders are designed to survive rough weather conditions and dispense the feed in reasonable amounts.
Therefore, take time today to review the choices in feeders online. Again, supplemental feeding is beneficial, especially when you know what feed and feeder device to use.