From an edibility and desirability standpoint are most major brand 16 or 20% proteins pretty equal? Since I've never fed it from a gravity feeder I'm curious. I hear good things about Purina's AntlerMax but to be honest I'm not a huge fan of $14-$15 per 50lb. bag. If I can get some formulated from the local feedstore for $10-$11 per 50lb. will I be shorting myself or the deer herd? What I don't want is to buy the less expensive stuff, toss 500lbs in the feeder and not attract any deer to eat it. What say the forum?

All protein brands are not created equal. We use Lyssy and Eckel and have been very happy. We used to feed other feeds and eventually wound up with them. One of the major differences in fees is the protein source. We found one that even used ground chicken feathers. If a feed is 30% less there is a reason. The feed business is competitive and some companies are willing to cut corners. If you call Lyssy and Eckel (Google LE feeds) they will talk to you about the pro's and con's on feed, even if you don't wind up buying it from them.

If one feed is cheaper by that much then it is cutting corners. Mineral, trace mineral and vitamin packages are expensive to add in small amounts. Those packages are what make a great deer feed. Different sources of minerals or trace minerals can cut costs but also they might not be utilized by the animal. The BS about ground chicken feathers is just that BS. That feed company used ground feather meal in their feed ration when it was able to used as an ingredient in feeds.
I have been a fan of L/E feeds for the last 10+ years now. They use multiple sources of proteins and their mineral package is one of if not the best. Lot of feed companies use least cost ingredient rations and those rations change with cheaper ingredients month to month. L/E does not do this. You do get what you pay for. I called L/E in George West and was quoted $10/bag on 16% and $11/bag on 20% today on their pasture deer feeds.

Looks like LE feeds are not available if you hunt east of 35 without a very long drive. Do yall have any other suggestions?

DQ Kid
First, I would have it mixed 50/50 with corn for the first 100lbs and then straight protein. I would also add some Koolaid powder to the top after it is full (it will naturally filter down very fast). This will help the taste and hopefully get them to eat it faster. The koolaid powder will also give it a nice aroma and help mask any bad smells.

Last advice: Don't buy any brand in bulk until you find the one that the deer will eat on your place!

DQ, don't know where you hunt, but up north on I35 around Sanger, there is a mill called Martindales and they got some very good protein. They will sell it in bulk as well. I believe it is a 6 ton min with delivery.

Not trying to jack the thread, but Ive been wondering the same question as the OP. Ive been feeding some brand made by the San Angelo Feed Store. Says 20%. I've had good luck as the axis and whitetail are eating it reguraly. Anyone else use it, good or bad?

Where do you hunt DQkid?

I hunt Young county about 20 miles SW of Graham and 5 miles from Throckmorton county line near Murray, TX.

We have tried many brands, big name and special mix feeds in a 20% for the past five years. This past season we produced our highest quality of deer to date using a 16% ration from Surfed along with the Pro Balance mineral. In years past, the deer have been fat and healthy, but had little luck in growing horns. This past year, our deer jumped about 10" average across the entire ranch.

DQ, I'm in Jack Co and drive to Graham to the Mill on 6th St. They have the 20% for 11.50 and 16% for 11.00. I moved our deer to it from Antler Max with no problems and it saves me about 80.00 a ton.

I checked them out last week, that's the FMC protein brand. Looked like good stuff, had a cottonseed weave in it which supposedly the deer like.

That's a good place in Graham...

If you're near a Lyssy & Eckel - I paid 9.75 for 16% yesterday...

$10 for 16% and $11 for 20% at L/E in George West on Friday this week.

Yep! 20% was a buck more... Hard to believe corn is more than protein... sheesh