I just saw in the D-I-Y section that Brushtrooper had built an alfalfa feeder. I think that he did a good job on it. This got me wondering. Do deer eat alfalfa hay or any other type of hay? If so does anybody put out hay for thier deer?
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As mentioned by everyone else, whitetail deer will eat alfalfa hay. Most other types of hay are useless to a whitetail because of their body's inability to digest grasses. Some studies have shown around 15% grass in a deer's diet, but most of this is new, highly palatable, easily digestable shoots. They may eat the other types of hay, but it won't do anything for them since its typically not fresh growth. There's an old saying that a deer can starve to death with a belly full of grass.
As for axis and other exotics, just about any hay will work. Most of them differ from whitetail in that their bodys can readily digest these grasses. Alfalfa is still better than most b/c of protein content.
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Originally posted by AggieHunter View PostAs mentioned by everyone else, whitetail deer will eat alfalfa hay. Most other types of hay are useless to a whitetail because of their body's inability to digest grasses. Some studies have shown around 15% grass in a deer's diet, but most of this is new, highly palatable, easily digestable shoots. They may eat the other types of hay, but it won't do anything for them since its typically not fresh growth. There's an old saying that a deer can starve to death with a belly full of grass.
As for axis and other exotics, just about any hay will work. Most of them differ from whitetail in that their bodys can readily digest these grasses. Alfalfa is still better than most b/c of protein content.
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