I’ve run into an issue with my two deer feeders, and could really use some help. I’ve been using whole kernel corn supplemented with concentrated apple pellets in the feeders. The last batch of corn I got had a bunch of bugs in it, right out of the bag. Fast forward a month, and the bottom of one feeder was essentially turned into sour corn. The wild hogs are going to love that.
I thought that somehow, rain had gotten into the drum. But when I took the lid off, the top of that batch was actually still quite fresh, but I dumped it anyway. I needed to completely wash the drum so that I could use it again. So, it wasn’t rain, but the bugs.
So I’m left with two questions. First, will deer eat corn that’s not whole kernel? I went to the feed supply store and got 200 pounds of “corn chops”, which is just very coursely ground corn. Since this is processed, I would think it wouldn’t have the bugs in it like the bags of whole kernel corn. Plus, it didn’t seem to have the filler in that that has a tendency to clog up the spinner.
My second question, is if deer will only eat whole kernel corn, what can I use to prevent and kill bugs, that will not harm deer? My dad said that when he was a boy and they were storing grain on the farm, they would put a small jar of gasoline with holes poked in the lid, and put that at the bottom of the bin. They didn’t have problems with bugs.
But, is there anything else I could use? Something to kill bugs that might already be in there, and deter others from wanting to munch on a free meal?
As to what deer WILL eat, I don’t think they’re all that picky. I live near a Forest Preserve on the NW edge of Chicago, and people leave stuff for the local deer to eat. I’ve seen them eat bread. In fact, just rustling a plastic bag will get their immediate interest. I’ve also seen them eat lettuce. And this deer (location unknown) ate a live bird. deer eating a bird - YouTube
Thanks rowrrbazzle. That video is interesting, and slightly disturbing at the same time. I think I should be good to go with the corn chops after seeing that!
I am really unclear on the concept of feeding deer. What possible good could come of it? I understand fencing deer out of ornamental plantings and food crops, I understand shooting and eating deer, I understand the difficulty of supporting a deer predator population where there is livestock, but I do not understand feeding deer.
Around here they are as common as flies and damn destructive.
I guess I am in the wrong section though, maybe.
I live in Northwest Montana and feeding deer is a real no-no. You attract deer, which attracts the predators that eat deer. Since I don’t want mountain lions and bears hanging around my house I never feed the deer. If they want to eat my grass that’s fine, but why ask for trouble?
Feeding deer is illegal in most states. Even if it is not illegal in the OPs state, it is a terrible idea. Stop at once. In addition to bringing large predators to your doorstep, congregating the deer leads to the spread of tuberculosis and other diseases that can jump to cattle, domestic animals, and to people.
Seriously, kill deer in season, it’s useful and delicious, but don’t bait them.
I’m right there with you. 