Cottonseed Meal Feed For Deer

A lot of ranches use it and deer will come to love it.

Cottonseed meal feed for deer.

As for whitetail deer use of the cottonseed some feeders are being hit very hard while others have not been touched at all. Several sources of alternative protein include crop seeds such as soybeans and whole cottonseed. However one veterinarian researcher says more study is needed. Clay hilton dvm at the caesar kleberg wildlife research institute s deer associates annual gathering here earlier this year.

Many properties feed it from february through september and have zero problems during the rut. Feeding cottonseed will increase deer body condition help improve annual fawn production and allow for increased antler development in bucks but as a feed it should not be considered a complete ration for white tailed deer. The gossypol study was done with fallow deer a species native to the mediterranean region of europe and asia minor and grown on deer farms throughout texas. Feeding cottonseed meal to female fallow deer safe at low rates.

Photo courtesy of texas agricultural experiment station the gossypol study was done with fallow deer a species native to the mediterranean region of. Feeding cottonseed to deer. In fact deer continue to hammer these sites even after all the corn is gone. That was the gist of the message offered by dr.

It s not a one stop shop but whole cottonseed is a great supplement for whitetail. Although protein pellets ranging from 16 to 20 protein are often offered in free choice feeders people often consider other sources of protein for diet supplementation. Whole cottonseed lacks many of the micro and macro nutrients that protein pellets contain. The use of cottonseed by those involved in deer management programs has increase the price in recent years but it is high in protein 20 percent plus high in fat and also in fiber and is as close to a complete feed as one can get but lacks key minerals.

In addition to being a veterinarian hilton who also has degrees in wildlife science is the director of veterinary technology at texas a m university. Currently it seems the deer prefer feeding on cottonseed over the protein pellets. Of course the protein feeders are timed feeders on our property. However cottonseed contains a compound known as gossypol a toxic pigment the plant naturally produces and is believed to discourage consumption by animals.