People often want to feed deer what is handy, which might be sheep, goat, dairy, or even horse feeds. While it may seem convenient, the problem is these feeds are not formulated for deer, do not meet their specific needs, and may even cause problems. Each animal has a unique digestive system and nutritional requirements.
Using the wrong feed can lead to significant health issues and prevent deer from reaching their full potential.
- Sheep & Goat Feed: Sheep are highly intolerant of copper, so these feeds have very low levels of it. Deer, and elk, too, have fairly high copper requirements. Feeds for sheep or goats will be deficient in essential minerals and protein needed for optimal antler growth.
- Dairy Feeds: Commercial dairy feeds are formulated to maximize milk production, which has very different nutrient requirements than antler growth. They lack the correct starch-to-fiber ratio and mineral fortification for deer.
- Horse Feeds: Grain-heavy horse feeds are too high in starchy carbohydrates for a deer’s digestive system. This can lead to serious issues like acidosis and founder, and the protein levels are insufficient for antler development.
If you want big, healthy deer that can achieve their genetic potential for antler growth, you need to feed a high-quality feed designed specifically for deer. Using anything less will simply give you lesser results. Providing species-specific nutrition is the best way to support a thriving, healthy herd.
Don’t forget to visit your local Steinhauser’s for high quality wildlife feeds!
Source: Purina Mills