Feeding deer

[Jimbob39]

The estate owner has mentioned feeding the fallow and muntjac over the winter period. Previously they have had access to wheat from the pheasant feeders but they are not putting birds down so no feeders out. What would the suggestion be, sugarbeet, carrots, fodder beet? Any contacts for something suitable in leicestershire or Lincolnshire would be great as well if possible please!

 

[VSS]

Fodder beet.

 

[shakey jake]

pheasant feeder of wheat, they are clearly used to them and wheats fairly cheap

 

[lochty]

Frosted potatoes?

 

[willowbank]

I know I run a small funded stalking group and can afford to feed what I consider to be worthwhile to the deer but I put out a feed mix of 3/4 Beef nuts (contains molasses) 1/8 whole Maize 1/8 cut Maize with a bucket of Wheat mixed in.
The deer soon find the feeders especially when the temp drops or we have torrential rain for a few days.
Added bonus is that the Pheasants get to feed on whatever the deer leave under the feeder, the feeders each have a camera deployed which shows which deer are feeding where and an idea of their health.

Willowbank

 

[User00038]

If we're talking wild deer, surely if they can't manage during the winter without supplementary feeding, there are too many of them?

 

[Jimbob39]

If we're talking wild deer, surely if they can't manage during the winter without supplementary feeding, there are too many of them?

It’s more a matter of wanting to take care of the wild deer on the estate. We manage them nicely but he’s conscious of turning off the feed supply they have got used to.

 

[Jimbob39]

I know I run a small funded stalking group and can afford to feed what I consider to be worthwhile to the deer but I put out a feed mix of 3/4 Beef nuts (contains molasses) 1/8 whole Maize 1/8 cut Maize with a bucket of Wheat mixed in.
The deer soon find the feeders especially when the temp drops or we have torrential rain for a few days.
Added bonus is that the Pheasants get to feed on whatever the deer leave under the feeder, the feeders each have a camera deployed which shows which deer are feeding where and an idea of their health.

Willowbank

What sort of feeder do you use?

 

[sako751sg]

Been feeding roe since 2009ish and a great way of learning their habits,movements and if any are not in the best of strip.
Mainly bruised barley mixed with a few bits and bobs i get from a lad that owns a feed store and with the colder weather loads have started this last week or so.

 

[slider]

If you have to feed them then there are too many to be sustainably managed on the area. Feed them lead (or copper) and get the population in balance

 

[willowbank]

What sort of feeder do you use?

These, with the ‘wobble stick’ above Badger height.

 

[Stevie/P]

A round bale of hay should be easy to source locally

 

[FISH BOY]

 

[User00040]

If you have to feed them then there are too many to be sustainably managed on the area. Feed them lead (or copper) and get the population in balance

1080

 

[Siggy]

Okay, I know I'm going to get hammered for this but this is a personal bugbear of mine so II have to say it (!), why feed deer?

Firstly, all you are doing is concentrating deer in one place feeding off the same substrate - with the risk of transmissible disease such as TB and CWD - why take the chance?

Second, you are interfering with the carrying capacity of the land - it is going to increase the winter survival rate so that at other times of year there are going to be more deer around damaging regrowth etc. given muntjac are a non-native invasive species which will strip out the base layer, I really have to ask why feed?

Lastly, if there are hungry looking deer, don't feed them, cull more (I understand that there might be difficulties in hitting cull targets, but you get my drift)

To me there are no benefits and significant risks (low frequency, high impact) - so IMHO, talk to your landowner about other options.

(I will now get my crash helmet on and wait for incoming!)

 

[John Gryphon]

I only feed mine a mixture of copper.....and lead. They don't do well on it.

 

[sako751sg]

Okay, I know I'm going to get hammered for this but this is a personal bugbear of mine so II have to say it (!), why feed deer?

Firstly, all you are doing is concentrating deer in one place feeding off the same substrate - with the risk of transmissible disease such as TB and CWD - why take the chance?

Second, you are interfering with the carrying capacity of the land - it is going to increase the winter survival rate so that at other times of year there are going to be more deer around damaging regrowth etc. given muntjac are a non-native invasive species which will strip out the base layer, I really have to ask why feed?

Lastly, if there are hungry looking deer, don't feed them, cull more (I understand that there might be difficulties in hitting cull targets, but you get my drift)

To me there are no benefits and significant risks (low frequency, high impact) - so IMHO, talk to your landowner about other options.

(I will now get my crash helmet on and wait for incoming!)

Why?
Because I want to,simple.

 

[NoIDeer]

The OP asked for advice on fodder, the deer have been used to "stealing" from feeders. It would be cruel to just stop that.

The estate I used to shoot did what VSS suggested and ran out supplementary beet from time to time.
If your looking for beet, round VSS's way the laybys are full of it.

 

[VSS]

If your looking for beet, round VSS's way the laybys are full of it.

Really? That's news to me! Have you checked my location? I can honestly say I've never seen a single beet in a layby anywhere near here, or within about a hundred miles in any direction!

 

[StephenToast]

Okay, I know I'm going to get hammered for this but this is a personal bugbear of mine so II have to say it (!), why feed deer?

Firstly, all you are doing is concentrating deer in one place feeding off the same substrate - with the risk of transmissible disease such as TB and CWD - why take the chance?

Second, you are interfering with the carrying capacity of the land - it is going to increase the winter survival rate so that at other times of year there are going to be more deer around damaging regrowth etc. given muntjac are a non-native invasive species which will strip out the base layer, I really have to ask why feed?

Lastly, if there are hungry looking deer, don't feed them, cull more (I understand that there might be difficulties in hitting cull targets, but you get my drift)

To me there are no benefits and significant risks (low frequency, high impact) - so IMHO, talk to your landowner about other options.

(I will now get my crash helmet on and wait for incoming!)

Thank god there are a few on here speaking some sense!

And feeding Fallow! You may as well be supplementary feeding your rats as well!

There is another thread on here doubting the numbers of deer in the UK - this is why there are too many, idiots thinking that they have to supplementary feed them! Get them shot!