Cottonseed as a Supplemental Food for Deer
BuckManager.com | February 24 | Supplemental Feeding
An important component of any deer management program is ensuring the physical health of individual white-tailed deer, as well as the overall deer herd. Individual deer health is important for maintaining body mass, promoting maximum antler growth in bucks, and optimal milk production in does. Because the energy and protein requirements of deer have become more understood over the years, deer managers now focus much of their attention on meeting and even exceeding the food requirements of white-tailed deer. This can be done in either of two ways, either from native habitat or through supplemental food.
Although protein pellets ranging from 16 to 20% protein are often offered in free-choice feeders, people often consider other sources of protein for diet supplementation. Several sources of “alternative” protein include crop seeds such as soybeans and whole cottonseed. However, cottonseed contains a compound known as gossypol, a toxic pigment the plant naturally produces and is believed to discourage consumption by animals. Gossypol can reduce reproductive ability in some mammals when consumed at high rates. Fortunately, recent research in Texas has found that white-tailed deer are not negatively effected by whole cottonseed, even when it makes up a high percentage of a deer’s diet.
LSONEWS: “We’ve done a series of independent projects,” said David Hewitt, the institute’s Stuart W. Stedman Chair for White-tailed Deer research. “We had five bucks on a 40-percent whole cottonseed diet and five bucks on pellets and chopped alfalfa from June through September. We looked at body weight, semen samples, and blood. We did not see any negative effects the first year.
The bucks on 40-percent whole cottonseed did lose some weight while the other bucks (on pellets and alfalfa) did not. Again, there were no toxic effects on the sperm or red blood cells. The bucks maintained their weight while the control group bucks gained weight. The doe weights did not change.”
And at over 22% percent crude protein, cottonseed really is a high-protein food alternative that is also rich in phosphorus, one of the most limited nutrients in native forages. And in addition to deer performing well on it, there are some other positives surrounding the feeding of whole cottonseed. Non-target species, such as feral hogs, raccoons, and other varmints do not eat cottonseed. This can help your bottom line by limiting consumption by animals other than deer.
Cottonseed is a solid choice as a supplement for whitetail because it’s high in protein and does not easily degrade in moist conditions. In fact, you can simply place it out on the ground or in a free-choice feeder. EasiFlo cottonseed has the same nutritional benefits as regular (fuzzy) whole cottonseed, but is starch-coated to improve handling. This new cottonseed flows freely and can easily be augered through traditional grain-handling equipment. Whole cottonseed as a supplemental food for deer can increase growth rates, improve fawn production, and increase antler development in bucks, but it is not a complete ration.
Whole cottonseed does lack many of the micro- and macro-nutrients that protein pellets contain. And although cottonseed has many great qualities, its availability may be limited in your area. So remember, regardless of whether you decide to supplement a deer herd through protein pellets, crop seeds, or food plots, supplements are only intended to compliment native forage, particularly during periods of stress.
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I see the relation in the bottom line , the dime . It would be interesting to see the local stores pic up cotton seed as a whole . But we dont see it through pushing the pelleted feed. Its not cost effective on the other end. Good point though on not feeding the coons or pigs . I know we have some of the biggest coons around.
Good article
Travis | Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
What happens when the cotton seed gets wet? I find that open range deer have a hard time with anything with a top, such as a feeder with a top.
Rickey Holloway | May 12, 2009 | Reply
How much space does cotton seed take up? How many pounds would fit in a trailer that is 6 ft. x 16 ft. with 4 ft. side walls?
Mike Harper | Sep 17, 2010 | Reply
Mike, I want to say that cottonseed weighs about 28 pounds per cubic foot, so your trailer would hold between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds depending upon the quality (how clean the seed is) of the cottonseed. Also, cottonseed is not effected by water.
Buck Manager | Sep 21, 2010 | Reply
Buck Manager is right on target (32lbs). Cottonseed is a very interesting creature. Do we find cottonseed having problems in deer as we do with feeding to much to bulls?
Travis | Sep 30, 2010 | Reply
Travis, yes cottonseed can cause sterility in whitetail bucks, as in any mammal. It is okay to feed deer cottonseed during the spring through July, but cut them off it as the breeding season approaches.
Buck Manager | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
Does anyone know where I can find whole cotton seed in Texas? Our ranch is in Ozona, but Abilene, San Angelo, etc., would be acceptable. Thanks.
Doug Rushing | Jan 12, 2011 | Reply
Cotton seed meal is pretty easy to get your hands on through your local feed store. The draw back to this is that it’s not in the seed form. We feed the meal in troughs. Regulations to my understanding have made this product (cotton seed a little harder to find, just like soy beans.
In central Texas and parts of the south, I have found my best chance is to either call the gin directly or our farmer places an order for it when he takes his cotton in to be de-linted. Going through a farmer seems to have a better price since it is their cotton and they are usually in a co-op.
Travis | Jan 13, 2011 | Reply
If your lucky you may find some left at a feed mill out that way, but like I said if your lucky. Most of the cotton seed goes quick to the larger mills were it is ground up to make cotton seed mill or sold whole to the large feed lots. The best time to get it is during the cotton gining process usually around late October early November. The best place to get it is directly from a gin were it will cost you little bit less than $200 a ton, once it leaves there the price goes up
Ben | Jan 18, 2011 | Reply
I’ve heard and read a great deal about cottonseed, but I’m not 100% sold on it. I’m sure it produces results, but is there a study that compares feeding cottonseed and mineral supplement on the ground versus 16 to 20% protein feed that already has minerals within it (in the same range and similar genetics of course). I guess it could be fed as a supplement to protein feed, but that can get expensive really quick. We ALREADY spend more on feeding the deer than we do ourselves.
Hunter D | Jan 18, 2011 | Reply
I have looked and called anyone I can find around Wharton, Rosenberg, and the south Houston area and all I can find is buying it in supersacks. I can’t handle it that way. Does anyone in the expanded Houston Area sell it in lesser packed quantities. I don’t mind buying a ton, but I can’t handle a supersack. By the way the price for a ton in supersack was quoted at $150.
Banpaeng | Jan 31, 2011 | Reply
You can get 50 lb bags of cottonseed from Johnson and Sons in Elgin, TX. The phone number is 512-285-2462 and I think it’s cost about $9 a bag.
Jay | Feb 23, 2011 | Reply
Thanks Jay, I’m just down the road from there. I can’t seem to find it in anything but bulk in Taylor.
Travis | Feb 26, 2011 | Reply
I have been feeding cottonseed the past two years. If you decide to try this there are a few things to keep in mind. When building a feeder, it must be open on all sides and only be about 32 inches off the ground. The other thing is to mix it with a little corn and other proteins to get them to start using it. Gradually reduce the corn and/or protein pellets until you are feeding just pure cottonseed. We are seeing good results on our ranch and folks around us that are doing the same are seeing them as well.
Wayne Waldrep | Jul 11, 2011 | Reply
Where did you find the super sacks for $150 per ton? Could you please provide the phone number?
Larry Longer | Dec 20, 2011 | Reply
I know Damon Feed (between Needville and West Columbia near the coast) had the whole cottonseed… not sure of pricing or quantities. Possibly could check with Danevang Farmers Coop south of El Campo as well.
I have some pics of an easy to build feeder that a friend of mine uses for cottonseed. The pics will speak for themselves as to effectiveness. He has been feeding it for 3 years to free ranging deer in Brazoria and Matagorda counties and loves the results. We are planning to start feeding it on our lease in the hill country this year. If anyone wants to see pics, email me at txsaggie94@windstream.net with cottonseed feeder in the subject line.
txsaggie94 | Dec 23, 2011 | Reply
You will be getting about 1 1/2 tons on that trailer. Put some out now to get them through winter, but save some for april and may for horn development.
E. ELLIOTT | Jan 11, 2012 | Reply