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I shouldn't as we're overrun with deer here. but what to feed?
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Posted by cariee KC, MO (My Page) on Sun, Jun 21, 09 at 1:42
Ironically some of my other posts have been been how to prevent deer from eating my garden.
The garden is now in containers on the front patio of the house protected by a 4' brick wall.
The back of the house faces a nice field with a lot of clover so deer do come visit. My elderly parents love to bird watch back there but unfortunately the main bird feeder is being decimated by a young doe. The tree is 5' from the house & she's quite bold. I appreciate that it's cool to have a deer that close but it's getting a bit pricey to feed her birdseed! She's gone thru a 20lb bag in a few days.
I threw out a couple of quartered apples but once she came back she just sniffed then went back after the birdseed.
I then put out bread(whole wheat of course!) and strawberries & fresh corn. I have no idea if she's eaten any of them yet however. And there's a groundhog back there that might also be interested....who knows?
What sort of saltlick is prefered by deer? I know one of those offered (mineral or just salt) is bad for sheep.
Feeding them here is probably frowned on or illegal here but it's hard to resist those eyes...btw I've named her Nikki ...lol |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: I shouldn't as we're overrun with deer here. but what to feed
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Carrie,
Although you mean to be kind, rethink feeding deer. One problem is that it teaches the deer to overcome its natural fear of humans--dangerous in hunting season. Also, if your doe should attract admirers during rutting season, bucks are dangerous! Whatever food you put out for her will attract other wildlife, too, some of which you do not want within 5 feet of your house (skunks can throw scent a long way).
For the time being, simply remove the bird feeder or leave it empty until the doe learns there are no more free lunches at your house.
Even though it won't be easy, not feeding the doe is better for her and for your family in the long run. |
RE: I shouldn't as we're overrun with deer here. but what to feed
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I have to agree with marlingardener. If you become attached to the doe then you will worry about her getting killed during hunting season or getting hit by a car.
In my area deer lick on the salt blocks that are put out for cattle in their pastures. |
RE: I shouldn't as we're overrun with deer here. but what to feed
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- Posted by morz8 Z8 Wa coast (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 21, 09 at 17:56
| The reasons for not feeding are as above but are even more complicated short term too - While you don't want to change their behavior, you also need to know that deer digestion involves bacteria that help break down food. Different micro-organisms help digest different types of vegetation. If you introduce a food to them that is different than their normal browse, their stomach may not have enough micro-organisms to digest the food. (bread?) If a doe has a fawn hidden away, she could gobble up something new that appeals to her and feel full, then not digest enough nutrients to produce good milk for her fawn to become strong. How about a pair of good but lightweight binoculars so mom and dad can enjoy watching them in the field of clover?
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RE: I shouldn't as we're overrun with deer here. but what to feed
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Cariee,
To feed or not to feed, what have you decided to do? |
RE: I shouldn't as we're overrun with deer here. but what to feed
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- Posted by min3 9N.CA (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 27, 09 at 15:27
| how about you put the bird feeder that your parents so much enjoy on a pulley and pull it up high enough that the deer can't reach it? min |
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