Protein deer feeder, gravity or timer ?

[topher]

As I was filling up my gravity protein feeder today I started to think about which one would benefit the deer better and for me. I have a 500 lb. protein feeder that sometimes they can empty in less than 2-3 weeks. Just eat, eat non stop and then it’s all gone till I come back and fill it back up which is usually in 6 weeks. So no protein feed for maybe 3 weeks.
So the question I have is which would benefit better?
Seems like to me a timer would be better since I can adjust the timer to stretch it to 6 weeks. I still throw 4 spincast feeders at the same time between my 2 spots at the ranch. Thanks in advance Chris

[HOOKNBULLET2]

Timed is better. Lamco is what I use. Reduces loss to coons exponentially.

[jason86]

Get a bigger feeder maybe? Free choice is best, but if budget only allows for a certain amount, go timed

[AntlerCollector]

Better for deer= gravity feeder

Better for your pocket book= timed.


I have 1,000 and 1,500 lb Lamco trough timed feeders. They last until I get back to refill

I also have gravity fed ones with Coonhoods on them to prevent waste to raccoons.

[topher]

Better for deer= gravity feeder

Better for your pocket book= timed.


I have 1,000 and 1,500 lb Lamco trough timed feeders. They last until I get back to refill

I also have gravity fed ones with Coonhoods on them to prevent waste to raccoons.

Sounds like we are on the same page.
Looks like I will be purchasing a protein feeder.
Which is better ASF or Lamco?

[longhornmatt]

I went ASF and have been very pleased.

I would go as big as your budget allows so you can space out your visits or crank up feed if needed.

Lancôme is a good looking unit. The trough makes a pick up load more tricky.

[Big pig]

While we are in the subject, how many pounds feed per second in an ASF with hot battery?
Feeding today and have never measured how long 50 lbs will “last”.

Thanks.

BP

[Smart]

Timed protein feeders here. Outside of the obvious money savings and loss to coons, porcupines etc, I wanted to give the deer something to supplement them in the offseason as well as upping the attractant game during season. It has kept me from shutting down protein during season like a lot of free choice folks do because mature deer eat at night and gives me an added attractant in the day time.

[Big pig]

Timed protein feeders here. Outside of the obvious money savings and loss to coons, porcupines etc, I wanted to give the deer something to supplement them in the offseason as well as upping the attractant game during season. It has kept me from shutting down protein during season like a lot of free choice folks do because mature deer eat at night and gives me an added attractant in the day time.

Sounds like a good argument for one of each.
FWIW I have both both and use the gravity feeder during the late winter and hot summer. I have a low population of deer so they don’t eat me out of house and home.

[Smart]

While we are in the subject, how many pounds feed per second in an ASF with hot battery?
Feeding today and have never measured how long 50 lbs will “last”.

Thanks.

BP

On 3 secs twice a day I can usually get about 60 days on the 550 lbs of protein it will let me get in. (the 600lb is corn weight). On the new ones (without the box underneath), it drops a little more. You have to slide the spinner plate on the motor shaft up to close down the gap to get those numbers. I have one of each so it works out pretty close. I was getting more like 45-50 days out of the newer model prior to .

[Smart]

Sounds like a good argument for one of each.
.

It is a great argument if that's what one wants to do with their money. I don't want the free choice bill expense. We have all gone to timed protein feeders and the camp is a happier place without the added expense...

[Russ81]

Sounds like we are on the same page.
Looks like I will be purchasing a protein feeder.
Which is better ASF or Lamco?

For timed I'd say Lamco, I always liked their design and it's easy to clean.

I'm looking at sendero's multi use feeders as well though that are stand and fill but can be a corn slinger or a protein feeder

[Russ81]

If I was looking for the perfect setup to feed the most amount of deer during the off season it would be as big a pen as I could get (60' round or bigger) with a corn feeder in the center and then one large timed feeder with 2-3 smaller 55gal gravity feeders spread out in the pen. Basically the more places at the table to more can eat. It's easy for a mediocre buck with a chip on his shoulder to hogg the feeder and let no one else eat from it.

[Smart]

Sounds like we are on the same page.
Looks like I will be purchasing a protein feeder.
Which is better ASF or Lamco?

Better is an opinion and depends on what you want, want to spend or need.

The Lamco has bigger open trays and allows more deer to eat from them. They have a large footrpint so you need a big feedpen. They are also more expensive. I have seen some instances where the trays rust and have to be rigged or replaced. I like the design and the ability to feed multiple deer at a time.

The ASF has smaller trays and the feed is protected at all times. I have pics of two deer per tray on mine. Their footprint is smaller and are easier to move around if you need to move them. They are less expensive. Plus I found both of mine used for $400-450 each pre Covid when every thing went sky high. That was a big player in my purchase.

Better over all, I'd say the Lamcos but for the reasons I listed above, I went with the ASFs.

[trophy8]

I run both. As do several guys on my lease. The lamco is a better design. But reliability isn’t as good as ASF. The ASF protects the feed much better. We have many more lamcos. It seems someone is always having an issue with one. The 1k ASF is significantly cheaper than the 800 lb lamco. It’s shorter so it’s easier to fill. One person can move the ASF easily. I’ve moved my 800 lb lamco by myself. It’s not fun at all.

Smart and AC ride lamcos brand too hard

ASF gets my vote. I’d lean to lamco if they were more reliable.