A handful of questions for everyone.

First, if you supplemental feed, what brand do you feed?

How many feeders (what size) per acre do you put out?

Have any of you seen any research done on antler growth depending on the brand of protein you feed? I.e - Lyssey and Eckel grows more trash, Record Rack grows more mass, etc.

Lyssey and Eckel for the brand. Feed station for about every 40 or 50 acres with 2 feeders (400# to 800#) at each location to keep the over crowding down. Had great deer before switching to L/E feed now have tremendous deer with tons of mass and lots of kickers. We had our best year to date.

stxranchman, did you mean 40 or 50 acres or 400 or 500 acres? Ten protein feeders on 500 acres seems like allot. We have 1000 acres and are planning on a couple of 1000# free choice protein feeders.

I have been feeding L&E for the last 3 years and am happy with the results. I have 350 lb feeders and have one per 400 acres of brush roughly. I have 22 of them. If I didnt have so many, I could afford some of those bigger ones. It is more work keeping them full but I know the feed is always fresh and the deer seem to like that. I was using Record Rack prior to the L&E. Made the switch because L&E never changes their ingredients because something else is cheaper. Same stuff at all times in their feed. They also have plenty of trace minerals. Compare tags from different feed manufactures before making a choice. Some will skimp on the minerals to make more profit. Phosphorous and calcium are critical to horn growth so find a feed that has higher content of the stuff.

Any one who goes thru De Leon TX, there is a company called Golden Oak Milling that makes 22% protein for 8.55 a 50lb bag. just found them the other day, a guy I know that goes thru there uses it and he likes it. I have never personally uses it they have a web site just google Golden Oak Milling. Also if anyone has ever used it post something on here about it if it is any good or not.

We have a lease right there in Comanche, do you buy it directly from them? May have to look into this!

Yes they sell it right there in De Leon.

Where can you buy the Lyssey and Eckel? Distributors in N. Texas?? Thanks!!

Call them and ask them on Monday. If they don't and you use enough they might be able to deliver direct to you.

Feeder for every 40 or 50 acres do not want to have to many deer at any location.

you could afford it if you just bought goat pellets

16 sites X 2 feeders/site equals 32 feeders/section. Best guess would be about 6 miles of road to service the feeders. Throw in a few blinds and maybe a few thousand mesquite trees, don't forget the prickly pear....I think I just ran out of dirt on my place :-)

For over a period of ten years I have tried most of the major commercial brands both in the breeder pens and the pasture with mixed results. Last year, I contacted a private nutritionist and we came up with several rations for different scenarios and have private labeled the rations. It has saved me a great deal of money per ton. My deer look great, have never been in better shape and antler growth has increased when compared to when the deer were on the major commercial blends. It is available in bags, but real savings can be seen by purchasing in bulk.

Have you ever checked with Gore Brothers there in Comanche?

this golden oak milling pellet doesnt look to shabby. I may see if someone by me sells it.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (Min) — 22%
Crude Fat (Min) — 1.50%
Crude Fiber (Max) — 11.0%
Calcium (Ca) (Min) — .95%
Calcium (Ca) (Max) — 1.10%
Phosphorus (P) (Min) — 1.0%
Salt (NaCl) (Min) — .85%
Salt (NaCl) (Max) — 1.15%
Vitamin A (Min) — 2,000 IU/LB

They also have something called Horns plus they said it has 17% Protein it is a Corn Soybean mix that is good to use in all feeders I think it is like 9 something a 50lb bag. They do not have it on the site to view the mix ratio's

MICOBE FEEDS puts out a product called STAMPEDE, which is a corn/soybean mix. It is an effective supplement. This is a good informative link about PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS -

http://www.micobe.com/Wildlife.htm

Let me add one more thing I do not like to have more than 10 deer per feeder to make sure they all get a chance to eat...so the amount of deer you are trying to feed dictates the density of feeders for me. You can get by with less feeders but will have more competition around them over time.

So do you sell this feed as well or just make it for your own operation?

Yes, I do sell it to the public. Delivery is limited to a specific range, however.

Tex-star, how much for 50 lb bags and where are you located?

Gorman Milling company in Gorman Texas is a Red Chain feed maker.
Cary Zipp can make a feed just for you,give him a call.

X2 on Gorman Milling Co. We also have a custom mix made by them and are having good success with it.

Here are a cpl more to look into.

http://pilgrimsfeed.com/livestock/deer_18trophydeerformula.asp



click on wildlife
http://producerscooperative.com/ProductsServices/FeedNutrition/Feeds

we use lyssy and eckel and acco feed in seguin.