Weather impact?

[203ntyp]

IBH1983,
The 1st link comments on alfalfa but I've read elsewhere that hay or alfalfa can be fatal if they eat too much and it's not recommended for winter weather as a supplement.

 

[hillrunner]

Maybe I am missing it.... I don't see any publication stating hay/alfalfa is bad. I am currently feeding it so would like to know more.

Secondly, I would take any articles written by any of the "buck on a bag" companies with a big grain of salt. They may have an agenda.....

I have fed a LOT of alfalfa over the years. The only side effect I ever noticed was more antlers laying around.

 

[StickersNKickers]

I have been feeding hay (mostly grass/clover mix - field is spotty on alfalfa) the past 8-9 years more as bait for pics. As a disclaimer, this is on cattle farms, where hay and hay fields are accessible (although we don't really notice any deer activity where the hay is stacked. I usually get a few weeks out of a 50 lb bale so I don't think they are gorging on it. Pure alfalfa probably wouldn't last as long as I think they like it better. A lot of years grass hay will last a long time with a mild winter. This year may be different tho with more snow and colder temps (I put some out a few weeks ago but haven't been back to check on them yet). I haven't noticed any dead deer in the immediate area of where I've fed. I've found a few carcasses in the spring over those years, but I've found them on properties where I've fed and others where I haven't, so I just assume it was other causes.