- Feb 20, 2019
Starting a Successful Protein Feeding Program
Feeding deer protein is becoming very popular to help improve antler growth, fawn production and to keep your herd healthy when vegetation and other food sources are limited. During certain times of the year, the nutrition available from the deer’s natural habitat may not meet the deer’s needs. Introducing a quality protein feed that’s palatable to the deer during these periods can improve your chances of starting a successful protein feeding program.
Choose the Right Spot
Deer generally do best when protein feeders are placed in a secluded spot near transition areas, such as draws, travel corridors or along the edges of vegetation where there is a transition in habitat. A location that is close to a fresh water source will also help in the establishment of a new protein feeding station.
Choose the Right Feeder
Protein feed should be accessible to the deer 24 hours a day. It’s important to choose a feeder that’s designed to keep the feed cool, dry and fresh. Texas Hunter Products has designed, patented and engineered a full line of affordable gravity flow protein feeders for sale. Protein feeders range in capacities from 300 to 2,000 pounds. These free choice gravity flow feeders provide deer access to protein feed whenever they want to feed. Texas Hunter Protein Feeders are low to the ground, easy to set-up, fill and move.
Add a Spin Feeder
Place a spin feeder in the general area of the gravity protein feeder and set it to feed two or three times per day for a few weeks. The sound from the corn feeder can be heard a long way and will help attract deer to the area.
Mix Corn with Protein
Deer will eat a familiar feed over something new most of the time. If you’re just starting to feed protein pellets in an area where the deer have never been exposed to this upgraded feed choice, start off with a bag or two of corn in a 50/50 mix with the protein. Once the deer begin eating the mixture, start backing-off on the corn until you are feeding full protein feed.
Lead them to it
In instances where there is no known history of feeding protein to deer or if you’re setting-up a new protein feeding station, make a trail using corn from the closest deer trail over to your deer protein feeders and spread corn around the feeders to bring them in. Give it a little time and you’ll have a successful protein feeding program in no time.