Deer Food: Pan Or No Pan?

Deer food does not need to be put in a pan. In fact, it is generally not recommended to feed deer human food at all, as it can be harmful to their health and safety. Deer are wild animals with complex digestive systems and specific dietary requirements. They are adapted to survive on a variety of natural food sources, including woody vegetation, twigs, buds, leaves, and shrubs. Introducing new foods, especially in large amounts, can disrupt their digestive systems and lead to health issues such as rumen acidosis.

If you want to provide food for deer, it is best to stick to their natural diet and gradually introduce new food sources to give their digestive bacteria time to adjust. This can include cutting down branches of preferred tree species, such as maple and birch, and placing them within reach of the deer.

The best food for deer

Deer are adaptable and successful because they can eat hundreds of different foods. They are nibblers and like a good buffet. They eat hundreds of plant species, including all manner of grasses, sedges, forbs, herbs, legumes, fruits, nuts, grains, roots, twigs, leaves, and even rodents and birds.

Nuts and Fruits

Deer love nuts and fruits. Some of their favourite natural sources of food include acorns, beechnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans. In terms of fruits, they enjoy blackberries, blueberries, and apples.

Shrubs and Trees

Shrubs and trees are an everyday food source that deer love to chew on all year round.

Formulated Deer Food Mixes

These mixes can be found at feed mills or pet supply stores. Deer feed mixes are usually a mix of alfalfa, oats, soybeans, molasses, and several vitamins and minerals. This type of food is easy for deer to digest.

Oats

Oats provide deer with a healthy mixture of fibre and carbohydrates without disrupting their digestive system.

Acorns

Acorns are a safe and natural food source that deer enjoy in the fall and winter months.

Corn

Although corn is a complex food source for deer, as it contains a low quantity of proteins, and they may have trouble digesting it, deer may eat it if they are very hungry.

Roots and Corn Bulbs

Roots and corn bulbs are good food sources for deer in winter.

Hay

Hay is a good food source if your local area does not have many trees and plants around.

Manufactured Deer Food

Manufactured deer food contains a high quantity of oats, a principal ingredient for deer during winter.

Minerals

Mineral blocks scattered in your backyard can help deer get the minerals and nutrients they need to survive the winter.

The worst food for deer

Deer have complex digestive systems and are adapted to survive on woody vegetation found in forests. Introducing new foods in the middle of winter, especially in high quantities, can be harmful to deer.

Corn

Corn is one of the worst foods for deer due to its high carbohydrate content. When deer are offered a sudden supply of corn, they are unable to adjust to the high-carbohydrate diet, which can lead to digestive issues and even death.

High-Protein Foods

High-protein foods such as alfalfa hay can be harmful if introduced suddenly to deer, especially in large amounts. It is important to gradually introduce new foods and ensure that natural food sources are also available.

Cereal Grains

Cereal grains, such as pure corn, barley, or wheat, are too high in starch and can cause digestive problems, leading to potential death. Rolled or coarsely milled oats are a better option as they are easily digested and reduce the risk of digestive issues.

Fruits and Vegetables

While deer enjoy eating fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and cabbage, these foods are not recommended as a primary food source. They are like "candy to a child"—tasty but lacking in nutritional value.

Bread

Bread is not a suitable food for deer. It is important to provide them with natural food sources or specially formulated deer food mixes that meet their nutritional needs.

It is important to introduce new foods gradually and ensure that the deer's digestive system has time to adjust. Additionally, it is crucial to provide a variety of food options and not rely solely on one type of food, as this can lead to an imbalanced diet.

How to feed deer

Deer have a complex digestive system, so it's important to be careful about what you feed them. While it may be tempting to feed deer whatever you have to hand, this can be harmful or even fatal to them.

What to Feed Deer

Deer are herbivores, so they should not be fed any meat or animal products. They also should not be fed human food, wheat, barley, corn, or hay in the winter. Suitable foods for deer include:

• Tree trimmings and branches—deer particularly enjoy twigs from white and yellow birch trees, as well as twigs and bark from maple, red oak, and other trees and shrubs.
• Oats—these are a great, inexpensive way to get deer interested in your feeder.
• Ready-made deer food mixes—these are formulated to meet deer's nutritional needs.
• Fruits and vegetables—deer enjoy apples, grapes, cherries, pears, carrots, snap peas, and more.
• Acorns and other nuts—these are an important food source for deer.

When feeding deer, it's important to:

• Put out food in several different locations to minimise rivalry among deer.
• Be consistent—once you start feeding deer, you shouldn't stop until the spring, as they can become dependent on this food source.
• Make sure the deer have good quality cover near the food, so they have a place to escape from predators.
• Keep the feed dry if using pellets or cereal grains.
• Check the local laws—in some places, it is illegal to feed deer.

When to feed deer

Deer have several natural adaptations to help them survive winter, including a thick winter coat and the storage of fat through summer and fall. However, deer can struggle to find food during the winter months, so this is a good time to feed them.

If you're going to feed deer, it's important to do it properly. You should:

• Feed them the right types of food, such as woody vegetation, and avoid corn, which can be harmful to deer.
• Introduce new foods gradually, so their systems can adjust.
• Feed them consistently, as they may come to rely on you.
• Make sure it's legal to feed wild deer in your area.
• Set up deer feeders or troughs in your yard, away from your home.
• Avoid interacting with the deer, so they don't lose their fear of humans.

The best long-term way to feed deer is to improve their habitat so they have food sources all year round. You can do this by planting trees, shrubs, and herbs that deer like to eat.

Why not to feed deer

Deer are beautiful creatures, and it's only natural to want to help them out, especially during the harsh winter months. However, there are several compelling reasons why you should avoid feeding deer. Here are four to six paragraphs explaining why it's best to let deer forage for their own food.

Unnatural Diet:

The digestive system of a deer is complex, and they are used to eating woody vegetation found in forests. Feeding them human food, such as corn, can be extremely harmful to their health. Corn, in particular, is high in carbohydrates and can cause serious digestive issues, sometimes even leading to death. Even if you offer them fruits and vegetables, it's still not a well-balanced and nutritious diet for them.

Dependency and Aggression:

Feeding deer can create a dependency, and they may come to rely on humans for food. This can lead to issues when you stop feeding them or run out of food. They may start bothering you for more or even become aggressive. Additionally, deer that are used to being fed can develop demanding behaviours and may hurt you if they don't get what they want.

Disease and Predation:

Congregating deer in one area for feeding increases the risk of disease transmission among the herd. It also attracts predators, making it easier for coyotes or domestic dogs to target them. Feeding deer can also lead to over-browsing of local vegetation and ornamental plants, causing issues for your neighbours.

Habitat Loss:

Feeding deer may lure them away from their natural wintering areas, trapping them in inferior habitats. This can increase the risk of malnutrition and predation, especially for young deer that may never learn to occupy natural winter habitats.

Vehicle Collisions:

Supplemental feeding sites for deer are often located near roads, which increases the risk of vehicle-deer collisions. These collisions can be dangerous for both the deer and the drivers, causing injuries or even fatalities.

Legal Issues:

In some areas, feeding deer and other wildlife is illegal. Even if it's not prohibited by law, wildlife organisations generally discourage it due to the potential harm it can cause to the deer and the surrounding ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions