Deer Health and Nutrition Tips during Antler Growth Season
So much of what we do in the care and feeding of deer passes relatively unnoticed in the short term. But antler growth season is when “instant gratification” seekers can practically see results occur right before their eyes. Growing at a rate of half an inch per day, antlers are some of the fastest growing [...]
Deer Health and Nutrition Tips during Antler Growth Season
So much of what we do in the care and feeding of deer passes relatively unnoticed in the short term. But antler growth season is when “instant gratification” seekers can practically see results occur right before their eyes. Growing at a rate of half an inch per day, antlers are some of the fastest [...]
Body Condition Scores for Deer
Body Condition Scoring allows you to monitor the health and condition of your deer. Optimal Body Condition in bucks will allow for greater antler growth. Does will be more fertile: produce more high-quality milk, resulting in healthier, faster growing fawns. The Purina Mills Body Condition Scoring System allows you to visually score your deer based [...]
Deer and Feeds for Other Animals
People often want to feed deer what is handy, which might be sheep, goat, dairy, or even horse feeds. The problem is these feeds are not formulated for deer, do not meet their specific needs, and may even cause problems. Sheep are very intolerant of dietary copper, so sheep feeds and, traditionally, most goat feeds contain [...]
Deer and Protein
There is considerable controversy regarding the percentage of dietary protein that deer should have. Many people believe that deer cannot tolerate more than 16% dietary protein and that high-protein diets are wasteful or even toxic. This simply is not true. Research in South Texas has shown that wild deer diets at certain times of the year [...]
Fall is Prime Time to Begin a Supplemental Feeding Program for Deer
A buck can have the best genetics in the world, but without the proper nutrition, he’ll never achieve his potential. One way to stack the deck in his favor is to supplement his nutrition. Fall is an excellent time to begin this. But before we talk about how to initiate a supplemental feeding program, let’s evaluate [...]