Re: Red Deer questions

18 February 2004, 06:43

Wendell Reich

Very interesting. They allow hay and other food, but frown on protein pellets? What you say makes sense, it just never ocured to me that anyone would be opposed to it. We feed protein to our deer and all exotics in the US, that is, if we want to maximize their potential.

We have a very good industry in the US for protein feed for different game animals. Purina makes a feed for Whitetail called "Antler Max" they also make a Red Deer pellet.

Currently I am feeding Antler Max to the Red Deer and Axis. I will contact Purina and see if there is any problems with doing this.

Thankis for the info.

18 February 2004, 23:25

Andre Mertens

No pellets either in Belgium, only approved and natural food allowed. Further, we have to ask formal permission to feed wild animals and it is forbidden to feed in order to keep game on the place. When legal permission is granted, only dissuasive feeding is permitted in order to keep the animals away from the crops (feeding spots are registered and regularly controlled by the game rangers to ascertain no prohibited food or substances are used).

19 February 2004, 19:28

N E 450 No2

Wendell
I have been feeding Antler Max [water shield since it came out] for 5 years, year round. It is good for the Bucks and the Does. The wild pigs and the turkeys LOVE it too. The animals seem a lot more healthy with good quality fat on them. It is much better for the animals than just corn.

20 February 2004, 02:14

NitroX

Quote:

on't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting you can't feed pellets, I'm just relating my own experience. Maybe some of our resident deer farmers can help on the pellet issue, NitroX??
- mike

Just seen the thread.

Yes I feed high protein pellets to my fallow and they do very well on them. Nice and fat and the antlers seem to grow well too. They need to be rationed as they can do well with less than what they would eat if they are given unlimited pellets (eg through a feeder).

At the moment I just use standard cattle pellets but a high protein mix. The factory also makes special deer pellets but they cost more and I believe aren't any better.

Also feed the deer oaten hay for bulk and a change. Normally deer won't eat oaten hay as they are too fussy but mine will as they have to eat what they are given.'

Also baled lucerne (alfalfa) which they go mad on. Pellets and oaten hay do not require additonal lucerne though as there is lucerne in the pellets.

Some straight oats which gives them energy. They absolutely love oats and oats could possibly be cheaper than pellets as weight for weight the higher cost may be offset by the reduced volume required. But sometimes they get diarhorea if too much oats so I give them as a supplement and also as bait ie to get them to come into the pens, other paddocks etc. They also calm down if they get panicky if you give them oats.

Natural grass during spring and autumn when it grows and there is enough rainfall and sunlight.

I also put out a salt or mineral block for the deer to lick as well. One last for about 40 deer for 5 or 6 months.

If you can get reject fruit as animal feed that is also good. Carrots, apples, pears, potatoes etc. Provided its cheap enough. They may not know its edible at first but will learn especially if some of them are broken so the juice smells a little.

I will check the pellets protein mix sometime.

PS Still not telling you my secret supplement.

20 February 2004, 05:36

Wendell Reich

Quote:

PS Still not telling you my secret supplement.

Yes, I have noticed!

I feed the Antler Max in a free choice feeder, like this one. Everyone loves it. The Red Deer will spend a good amout of time in the evening eating from it. The rest of the time, they eat the Red Berry Junipers (Cedar)! I have never seen any animal eat these things!

Yes, the pigs do love it too!

20 February 2004, 05:50

mho

What is that pig doing with his feet on the table?? Shame! You really need to work on the discipline and manners of your animals!

- mike

20 February 2004, 07:25

Wendell Reich

Quote:

What is that pig doing with his feet on the table?? Shame! You really need to work on the discipline and manners of your animals!
- mike

Yes, my pigs are rude. It comes from a mineral deficiency.

Seems they have a lead deficiency. I aim to take care of that soon.

20 February 2004, 08:35

PWN375

Wendell,

I am free most weekends and most weekdays if hunting is on schedule should you need any help reducing the pig and or predator populations on your property.

Perry

20 February 2004, 12:26

Wendell Reich

Perry,

I have been saving the pigs for my hunters, but they do not want to show up when hunters are around.

From my cabin, I can look over a large bottom field. I am going to take my 7 mag, a good rangefinder, a bottle of whisky, a balistics chart, a bipod and a few boxes of ammo and start shooting the little farts every time I see one.

Please bring enough whisky for both of us.

20 February 2004, 14:25

NitroX

Is your camera that took these pictures setup to record what comes into the feeder? Video or still?

20 February 2004, 15:08

Wendell Reich

It is a still camera.

It is an infrared camera with an infrared flash. It is a completely invisible flash. I have always kept away from the standard game cameras that have that wonderful bright white flash. That has to scare the animals away! Sure you get their photo once, but I bet the big boys remember.

It is a digital camera. You use a flash card that can hold hundreds of photos. It will take a photo when it senses heat or movement. After the photo is taken it has a delay before it resets itself so it does not take a hundred pictures of the same animal. You can set the camera to re-arm itself in one minute or five minutes.

I use the one minute function. What the heck. Digital photos are free! Fill that card!

20 February 2004, 22:15

Deerdogs

Quote:

It is a still camera.

It is an infrared camera with an infrared flash. It is a completely invisible flash. I have always kept away from the standard game cameras that have that wonderful bright white flash.

I used to do a bit of covert photography of terrorists. It was important that they did not see me taking pictures at night, so we improvised IR flash units.

You can get IR filters that come in A4 size flexible sheets. Simply cut out the required size and tape it to a regular flash unit to turn it into an IR flash. 35mm format IR film is available from most good camera stores.

26 February 2004, 09:43

PWN375

Wendell,

Should I bring 10 gallons of the cheap weak stuff or 1 gallon on the good strong stuff? It works out to about the same expense.

Perry