Is alfalfa hay good for deer?

Author: Jacob Smith
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Is alfalfa hay good for deer or it’s not safe to use it for feeding the deer? You will get the answer of this question in this article.

Alfalfa has in fact been used as a source of food for deer, particularly during the summer. Deer find them tasty because they are a highly digested fiber that contains a significant amount of fiber.

Let’s explain everything about alfalfa hay for deer and learn if it’s a good feed.

Is alfalfa hay good for deer?

Alfalfa is consumed by deers. They actually adore these plants since they are high in fiber. The deers are fed continuously by them.

Alfalfa was sometimes utilized as a source of food to locate deer. Deer would be drawn to these plants from all over, making it easier for hunters to shoot deer in the wild. Alfalfa is still grown by hunters to entice deer to their properties.

The deer’s taste buds are very well suited to the alfalfa plants’ delicious flavor. Additionally, they produce very wholesome and nourishing food for the deer.

Additionally, the plants are high in fiber, which considerably aids deer digestion. These and other reasons help explain why deer enjoy eating alfalfa.

Alfalfa is eaten by deer wherever it is found. Additionally, they significantly harm alfalfa output each year. Alfalfa productivity is drastically reduced as a result of deer damage to the plants.

Is it bad to feed deer alfalfa in the winter?

The worst thing we can do for deer during a harsh winter is shock their digestive systems by giving them unfamiliar food, especially high-energy foods like corn or high-protein foods like alfalfa hay. The deer usually suffer more as a result than if they had not been fed, on average.

Can deer bloat from alfalfa?

Alfalfa pellets, which provide around 16 percent protein and a lot of fiber, are sometimes used for deer, although some deer can have bloat when eating hay because they are made to browse rather than graze.

How much alfalfa should I feed my deer?

Deer receive a daily feeding of 5 pounds of alfalfa hay or pellets, compared to 10 pounds for elk.

How late will deer eat alfalfa?

Deer will consume it throughout the year, but they prefer it when it is still green and soft.

Why can’t deer eat hay?

According to biologists, feeding deer hay and grain during the harsh winter months is improper since they are in browsing mode and lack the proper bacteria in their digestive tracts to digest the food. Evidently, deer with full stomachs of hay may starve.

Will Southern deer eat alfalfa hay?

Alfalfa in a bale is identical to that which is still in the fields. One fall, a farmer south of Walkerville failed to remove all the round bales from his field. That winter, at least 20 bales were devoured by the deer who liked it.

Do deer like alfalfa pellets?

In the Upper Peninsula, a diet consisting of roughly 25% corn and 75% second-cut alfalfa has had some success. For individuals who insist on feeding deer, feed pellets are typically advised as long as they are kept in good shape.

Does alfalfa bales attract deer?

Around me, alfalfa is cultivated extensively and it is really effective. I break up approximately 1/4 of the bale, shake it into a fluffy mound, and utilize it. The deer will consume it like candy if it is of high quality.

What kind of alfalfa Do deer like?

Alfalfa seed is expensive. But it’s worth the money to place it in the ground if you’re serious about your deer hunting. Deer frequently favor healthy alfalfa stands over soybean or clover plot.

Will deer eat alfalfa bales in the winter?

The alfalfa is enjoyed by the deer and is short-lived. I am aware of a few cases in which a circular bail was only valid for a few days. They usually respond within a few hours. Having said that, learn more about winter feeding your animals hay and alfalfa throughout the colder months.

Can you bait deer with alfalfa?

When there is nothing else to eat, deer will consume alfalfa, but they cannot digest it well enough to benefit nutritionally from it. That is why it makes up 90% of the Wyoming population’s diet; they thrive on it.

Will mule deer eat alfalfa hay?

Alfalfa doesn’t work well for mule deer. These people browse. They consume vegetation of that sort, such as woody shrubs and trees. Therefore, if you make them ill, they won’t recover well.

What’s better for deer clover or alfalfa?

Additionally, they are more insect-resistant, and if there are many deer around, they can withstand overgrazing pressure and recover more quickly. Another excellent clover choice is alfalfa. Alfalfa is a perennial that shares many benefits with red and white clover, but it is more drought resistant and hardier.

An expert in deer hunting with 10 years of experience in the field and woods. Certified as a hunter by the State of California. I created Deer Hunting Life as my personal blog to share my experience and tips on deer hunting.