Is there a protein that won't gum up a regular deer feeder? Other than soybean and corn?

is it only after a rain?

You mean a regular timed spin feeder? You are likely to have problems with any brand due to the diameter of the down spout. Most corn funnels are 2" or less. Protein feeders generally have 4".

To keep it flowing well you need to keep it as dry as possible, and be prepared to clean out the bottom of the feeder once or twice a year.

Issue with any pellet is humidity/moisture which causes the pellet to get soft then when the air dries out they stick back together with the binder in the pellet. If using a spin feeder I would put an agitator on the plate that extends up into the downspout and into the feeder. That way everytime the feeder spins the agitator is moving pellets that might have stuck together from moisture. Once pellets clog a downspout the rest of the pellet then "cook" inside the feeder with the pellets not flowing. Pellets and corn both have moisture in them. That moisture and daytime heating causes the moisture to rise to the bottom of the lid. It then rains back down inside the feeder, over and over again each day. Makes for a lovely smelling mess to clean up. Feed has to flow daily or regularly in any style feeder so this does not happen. The size opening in the funnel is not as critical as the daily flow of feed out of the feeder. First protein feeders I used had a 2.5" funnel opening and they were 2000 lb feeders. Never had any issues with clogging feeders once the deer got on the feed. I also used straight protein in the corn feeders in the off season, that is where I found out about clogging and came up with the agitator.

Saying Clogged Protein Feeder makes my Stomach Hurt...


I have had that allseasons Free Choice Clog before my little self made timed one...All about the air flow

I would not want to clean one out ...probably would be a shade rancid.
Thanks for the comments.

If your lid is snug tight, drill a 1/2" hole in the lid, get a weather tight 90° conduit fitting and run conduit less than halfway down the side of the barrel but enough that it will stay hanging down. Air will travel through the feeder ports and up through your conduit keeping it dry inside

only spot mine has trouble with is right at the port with the feed that's already sitting in the open after a hard rain... and that's only during the winter.. they eat it fast enough right now it dosnt make a difference..

When I was feeding, the free choice, Bossbuck feeders, were the absolute best for NOT clogging. Even after a driving rain, 99% would not clog.

Yep, the upward pointing cone that Bossbuck has in the bottom of their feed head does a nice job of diverting the feed to the ports and helps with clogging issues that occur directly under the feed tube of other brands.

I've been looking at the Purina Antler Max with Water Shield. Apparently it helps with the moisture problem, but I'm hesitant to start putting it in my times feeder. Anyone ever use this product?

I've mixed the Record Rack pellets 50/50 with corn and never had a problem with it. My feeders are 12v systems feeding 7 to 10 seconds twice a day so they keep the feed moving.

Split peas or Soy beans! Takes a bit for the deer to get used to 'em, but when they do they'll be waiting for the feeder to go off. I mixed 'em 50/50 with corn from April to Mid Sept.....

.....and they go through the feeder just like corn!