Feeding protein - how big a financial commitment ?

[wingnut]

This year I started feeding protein on my place in Oklahoma, it’s right at 400 acres. We built pens around the feeders and we use three 1,200lb Boss bucks. We have fed 10,300lbs so far since January. The results have blown me away! The bucks started eating the protein before they shed. We found lots of sheds. Cody, killed one on the bucks last week and he had put on a little more than 50” of antler. I couldn’t believe a buck could make that kind of jump. It’s a lot of work and money but I think it’s worth it. I know you are going to lose some bucks to neighbors but overall it’s worth it!

[S-3 Ranch]

I feed 2500lbs per month + 300-350 of cotton seed
So about $750 per month in protein and fat content 12 months or year round
Then also 1000 lbs of corn per month
So $750 x 12 =$9000 +corn

My feed cost in el dorado is basically only corn as our cotton seed Is free ( ranch feeds SC and cattle cubes year round) , and protein isn’t fed or my cost would double

[Hillwhacker]

What is your raccoon density? They will eat as much if not more than the deer!

[Throwin Darts]

Feeding protein - how big a financial commitment ?

I have 3 timed feeders only open during the daytime. Feed Jan - Oct. 640 acres. I fed 22,000 pounds this year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[txheartshot]

We’re “poor boys” and feed 7 protein feeders all year, as well as cotton seed from spring through August. 1160 acres and there are only 2 of us. We fed about 6 tons this year, not including 5 corn feeders. It is NOT CHEAP. Probably going to only fill protein feeders once in January with wormer pellets, then feed straight cotton seed January through August. Hope to save about 30%, barring cotton seed prices not skyrocketing even more. As mentioned above, coons are a big problem. We’ve invested in about 20 paw traps that we keep baited while at the lease.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bowmansdad]

Lots of great advice and facts came out of this thread. I have considered feeding protein on my small place hoping to get the 11” bucks to 13”+ even though the neighbors shoot all the legal bucks. After calculating I would have to feed 1000 lbs. a month plus buy the feeder, I think I’ll stay with corn/soybeans year round. Putting out cottonseed is a option. Thanks for all the help.

[TXhoghunter94]

It all depends on where you are located. In the hill country I have to fill my 3000lb feeder about once every 3 weeks from January-september then one fill up with typically last during the season. I have only one tube open but we have way too many deer. I probably spend on average $600 a month on protein but I only have one feeder, the other lease members also have feeders they fill. I keep telling myself I'm going to cut back but I've killed two 150s in the past 3 years and its definitely due to the protein on our low fence place. We also trap around 80 raccoons a year which helps keep the numbers down.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[stxhunter]

Obviously like others have said there are LOTS of factors that go into it. I've got only one 2k lb timed protein feeder on our place. The past 2-3 years I've spent about $2k per year feeding year round with a single feeding in the AM.

[Bear82]

More than likely in the thousands. If you have to worry about cost, I wouldn't worry about it. Cheaper to to just let them get older.

[texas shag]

we spend about 6k per year per person, feeding protein and cotton seed year round. Each person is responsible for feeding 1000 acres, which equates to 3 feed stations per person.

[slayer]

In 2019, we put out just over 12 ton of feed, with a cost factor around $4800, so far in 2020, we have put out almost 15 ton, with a cost factor of $5800. The difference is in the body size of the deer, antler mass and lot of kickers! Worth it in my opinion.

[Bisch]

John, I live on 122ac, and fill one 300# feeder every 5 days from Feb-Sept.
Protein runs me $350/mo, so roughly $3000/yr. I also have 3 corn feeders that I keep running (4 feed times/day) all year long. It adds up fast!!

Bisch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[TXhoghunter94]

The bottom 2 deer were killed in 2017, the first year I fed protein on my section of our low fence hill country lease. The top 2 deer were killed this year at the same location. Protein definitely works but it is expensive!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk