What is the cheapest thing to feed deer?

An inexpensive way to feed deer is with corn. Deer love corn and many hunters rely on it for supplemental feeding. That being said, corn is not an excellent source of protein, which is essential for antler growth and the nursing of fawns.

What household food can I feed a deer?

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables – including apples, grapes, cherries, pears, carrots, and snap peas – are eaten in nature by deer. Therefore, it is safe to feed deer these fruits. Acorns are another safe food source.

What can you feed deer besides corn?

Some good fall food sources include hard mast (e.g., oak acorns, beech nuts, chestnuts, hickory nuts, etc.), soft mast (e.g., apples, pears, persimmons, etc.), and agricultural crops (corn, soybeans, brassicas, cereal grains, etc.).

What is the best thing to feed wild deer?

Is it OK to feed deer corn?

Many articles, presentations, and campfire conversations about deer nutrition state emphatically that corn is not good for deer. In a general sense, this is true because corn is low in protein (9%), has a poor mineral profile, and can cause digestive upset and metabolic problems.

What Is The Best Deer Feed? PT. 2 | Sweet Feed VS. Corn

Are salt licks good for deer?

All hooved mammals love salt, so licks made only of salt do a fine job of attracting deer. Licks with added flavors, minerals and nutrients can be even better, especially if you find one the deer in your area really love.

Should deer eat bread?

A small amounts of white bread cannot do any harm, but if a single deer were to eat anything more than a few slices of bread there is always the potential for life-threatening lacticacidosis. It is certainly not wise to put out large amounts because you cannot control how much each deer might eat.

Is corn bad for deer in winter?

Although corn has poor protein, it has high carbohydrates. Whether it's planted in a food plot, or fed at a feeding site, corn can be a great benefit to whitetails during winter. Most deer managers are more than willing to plant their plots in the spring and summer.

Are carrots good for deer?

Carrots have proved to be among one of the best vegetables to feed these deer with. They contain vital nutrients such as beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, Potassium, and antioxidants.

What can I feed my backyard deer in the winter?

Deer eat woody browse in the winter. This can be leaves, berries, saplings, bulbs, or buds. In wintertime, they will take their pickings from the ground. They can also have some lush forage such as kale, radish, turnips, apples, or cabbage if it is available.

How do you make homemade deer feed?

Mix equal parts corn and whole oats.

Cracked corn, whole kernels, or ground corn all work well for deer treats. Mix an equal amount of your corn with your whole oats. Amounts will vary depending on how much deer food you want to make.

Will deer come to sweet feed?

Yes, it works well. It's grain with molasses on it. Of course they like it. I think you'll find that most people don't use it because it cost so much more than just a bag of whole corn, and corn works as well as anything.

Do deer eat whole apples?

Deer naturally eat apples, and apples are perfectly safe for use in a deer feeder. Apples provide deer with a sweet treat that gives them a large nutritional boost. However, deer aren't capable of properly digesting apples.

Will deer eat oats?

As previously mentioned, oats are highly favored by deer and they consistently rank among the top species consumed by deer in forage preference trials. Oats are highly nutritious as well. In well-managed food plots with a neutral soil pH and good fertility, oats can contain more than 25% crude protein.

Is Cracked corn good for deer?

Don't feed the deer! Corn is what most wildlife lovers offer deer, and even if it's labeled “deer corn,” feeding corn to deer is about the worst thing you can do. Unless you're trying to kill the deer.

Will deer eat peanut butter?

Deer love peanut butter, so it is an excellent bait. You can use peanut butter alone or in a mixture to lure deer into an area for hunting or just to enjoy watching them.

What is a deer's favorite vegetable?

When food is scarce, deer eat just about anything, including prickly-stemmed okra and hot peppers. Vegetables that deer seem to prefer include beans, lettuce, cabbage, and cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.

Should deer eat apples?

Why do deer like apples? Deer have very sensitive digestive systems and feeding them the wrong thing can mess up their tummies. Apples are one of the fruits that they can find and eat naturally in the wild, which is why it is safe to feed them these juicy fruits! However, they should only be fed apples in moderation.

Do deer like potatoes?

Often the tops of root vegetables such as potatoes are less palatable to deer, but deer love sweet potato plants, beet tops, and radish tops. When they are hungry deer have been known to dig for beets and other root vegetables. Deer love and will dig for carrots.

Is bird seed bad for deer?

While deer will eat just about anything, that doesn't mean that everything is good for them. Bird seeds can be harmful to deer if they eat too much of them. The main problem with bird seed is that it's often high in fat and calories but low in nutrients. This can lead to obesity and other health problems in deer.

Do deer like cracked corn or whole corn better?

the guy at the checkout said deer prefer whole. looks like it would spread better and make the deer work to find the pieces. I had them go through 50lbs in 24 hours!

Is alfalfa bad for deer?

Deer eat alfalfa, and the damage they cause might reduce yields significantly. In truth, alfalfa has been used as a forage for deer, especially during the summer months. It is a highly digestible fiber and contains a tremendous amount of fiber, making them palatable for deer.

What foods are poisonous to deer?

Deer Resistant Vegetables and Herbs

Certain plants, such as rhubarb, are toxic to deer. Deer usually also avoid root vegetables (which require digging) and prickly vegetables such as cucumbers and squashes with hairy leaves. Cultivars with strong odors such as onions, garlic and fennel are not palatable to deer.

Do deer eat marshmallows?

Deer will eat anything. They will eat most sweets, but it breaks down the amino acids in their digestive track and inhibits their ability to digest properly. Our old neighbor used to feed deer marshmallows.

Can deer eat dog food?

Do Deer Eat Meat Or Dog Food? Yes, deer do eat dog food. While they are naturally herbivores, they have been known to eat meat on rare occasions. Usually, deer eat meat and indulge in scavenging behaviors when food is scarce or when they need to fulfill particular metabolic needs.