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Protein Feeder Suggestions #6554703 11/22/16 07:56 PM
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Bross0 Offline OP
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We are going to get some protein up and running on our lease and I am looking for some input on which brand of feeder is best and which type of protein has yielded the best results. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6554717 11/22/16 08:08 PM
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fouzman Offline
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Oh boy. This should be fun as there are a bunch of types of each and everyone thinks their mousetrap is best.

We feed Lyssey and Eckel 20% protein on our place. We have one-ton free choice feeders made by Atascosa Wildlife Supply in Jourdanton.

Personally, I think the Outback free choice protein feeders are the best quality on the market, but they're also expensive. We needed 10 feeders and the Atascosa free choice fit our needs for quality and price.

If you want a timed protein feeder so you can ration it out, look at the Lamco's. They're excellent quality and dispense a pre-determined (by you) amount of feed as many times/day as you choose. The only drawback to these feeders is moisture in the external troughs. If the deer aren't hitting the protein and eating it all every day, it will cake up and become a mess in the Lamco troughs. Unless you have someone that can check them every day or two, I'd go with free choice.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6554786 11/22/16 09:02 PM
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ctonsmitty Offline
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you will probably find you will use whatever the closest feed store offers, but I would use Lyssey and Eckel

if you want a light weight protein feeder option go with Boss Buck because you will need a tractor to move some of the others---get the 1200# option for protein

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6554794 11/22/16 09:05 PM
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Herbie Hancock Offline
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Sometimes it will take the deer a while to take to protein, so whatever you do decide I would be careful how much you dump into it, you may be dumping it back onto the ground because of it gumming up.


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Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6554846 11/22/16 09:44 PM
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shea.mcphail Offline
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I purchased the Boss Buck so I could switch between corn and protein. It seemed to have the best reviews for serving both purposes. I bought the #350.

I haven't decided on a protein yet, but be aware of protein that might mold when it gets wet. They make certain proteins that shouldn't do that. I'll be watching this thread to see what others say.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6554848 11/22/16 09:46 PM
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Rustler Offline
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I use Boss Buck free choice protein feeders, everyone has their favorite, kinda like blonde, red head, brunette or Ford, Dodge, Gm.

To get them interested faster mix 1 sack of corn with 1 sack of protein and put it in the feeder first, then 1 sack of corn mixed with 2 sacks of protein, then a few more bags of protein on top of that mix.

Protein feeding is a long term deal & isn’t cheap, improvement in antler growth take years.

We have one protein feeder on the property at ranch HQ, this year we feed 4250 lbs out of that one feeder. Fairly low deer density area.
On our place in Blanco county it wouldn’t be hard at all to go through 1000lbs per month.
Way over populated area.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Rustler] #6554869 11/22/16 10:03 PM
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titan2232 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Rustler
I use Boss Buck free choice protein feeders, everyone has their favorite, kinda like blonde, red head, brunette or Ford, Dodge, Gm.

To get them interested faster mix 1 sack of corn with 1 sack of protein and put it in the feeder first, then 1 sack of corn mixed with 2 sacks of protein, then a few more bags of protein on top of that mix.

Protein feeding is a long term deal & isn’t cheap, improvement in antler growth take years.

We have one protein feeder on the property at ranch HQ, this year we feed 4250 lbs out of that one feeder. Fairly low deer density area.
On our place in Blanco county it wouldn’t be hard at all to go through 1000lbs per month.
Way over populated area.


What he said. I went with the 1500 lbs Lamco Timed feeder so I could cut my trips down to once every 4 months instead of every month. The feeder has paid for itself in fuel costs and I'm still getting them 15 lbs of protein per day. They consumed an average of 24 lbs a day previously from my free choice, but at least I now know they won't go days or weeks without anything.



Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6576647 12/07/16 11:14 PM
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hammer63 Offline
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www.thehammerfeeder.com
No timed feeder compares in cost or function.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6576667 12/07/16 11:29 PM
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dgilbert Offline
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I changed to a timed, deer would drain mine in a week, could afford the trips or feed that much.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6577623 12/08/16 05:35 PM
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James Biggs Offline
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I was curious about protein feeders as well.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6578133 12/08/16 11:08 PM
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Love my Outback feeders.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6578310 12/09/16 01:44 AM
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Have a 1k All Seasons free choice. Works great no issues whatsoever.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: hammer63] #6581659 12/11/16 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: hammer63
www.thehammerfeeder.com
No timed feeder compares in cost or function.


I have one of Mike's feeder units as well as several free choice feeders. This device allows you to target a specific time to feed and therefore you can train the animals to that schedule to some extent. Used in conjunction with the other feeders I have has allowed me to move from the feeders all being empty after ~21 days during high stress/consumption periods to this timed unit lasting 28-30 days. For that last week of the month there will still be about 40 pounds of feed available to the animals that need it most (the ones waiting for the gate to open).

This will allow me to save money only filling the feeders since protein is available for 7 days longer. Over a few months I will have spent less on feed and have paid for the cost of the unit. Now I realize that I will also be feeding the animals less, but when we're talking about them draining over 6,000 pounds of free choice capacity in less than a month I think that they can go a few days with limited supply versus no protein available at all. Its all a trade off between the most beneficial for the animals versus the most practical for your wallet.

Mike has great customer service too.

T

Last edited by TimOub007; 12/11/16 02:25 PM.
Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6583808 12/12/16 10:14 PM
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artrios60 Offline
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If you can afford the free choice route that's going to yield best results. I would check your area for types of protein available to you without running yourself ragged. Once you animals have found the protein they will eat like there's no tomorrow. Also consider looking at feeders that will deter varmints like coons. They will just rake it out of the tubes to the ground.
We have both free choice and Lamco timed 1500#. The Lamcos are the route we have started to take to control costs and feeding

We feed about 8000# a month on a HF ranch

Last edited by artrios60; 12/12/16 10:16 PM.


Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6583871 12/12/16 10:55 PM
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westtexaswatkins Offline
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I bought and put out this feeder from Texas Wildlife Supply, last spring. It took them a little bit to get started hitting it but once they did I can hardly keep it full. I am not in a high deer density area either.

Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6586449 12/14/16 04:00 PM
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Anyone had any luck with the combo timed (for corn) and free choice (for protein) feeders? I figured killing two birds with one stone might be nice as I am looking to replace a couple of feeders and was leaning this direction. I was looking at the 2000# All Season Feeders that hold 700 lbs of corn and 1300 lbs of protein.


How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: tShawnB] #6586580 12/14/16 05:30 PM
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titan2232 Offline
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Originally Posted By: tShawnB
Anyone had any luck with the combo timed (for corn) and free choice (for protein) feeders? I figured killing two birds with one stone might be nice as I am looking to replace a couple of feeders and was leaning this direction. I was looking at the 2000# All Season Feeders that hold 700 lbs of corn and 1300 lbs of protein.


My BIL had one a few years back and he didn't care for it much since the corn always pilled up directly under the feeder. It seems the corn broadcast into the protein tubes causing it to fall straight down.

It was difficult putting a coon guard around it as well (I helped him rig a cage around it and man was it ugly with all the cuts and wire holding it into place)



Re: Protein Feeder Suggestions [Re: Bross0] #6610009 01/01/17 12:03 AM
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redog Offline
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Anyone using the Double Down feed?


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