Supplemental Feed Supplemental Feed Preferences of the White-Preferences of the White-

tailed Deertailed DeerJake Jung, Undergraduate Student Jake Jung, Undergraduate Student

(Wildlife and Fisheries), Department of (Wildlife and Fisheries), Department of Biology, Tennessee Tech University, Biology, Tennessee Tech University,

Cookeville, TN 38505Cookeville, TN 38505

IntroductionIntroduction

Determine the preference of supplemental feed Determine the preference of supplemental feed for white-tailed deer. for white-tailed deer.

Deer that use supplemental feed during the Deer that use supplemental feed during the winter can have reduced mortality (Baker and winter can have reduced mortality (Baker and Hobbs 1975).Hobbs 1975).

Males use supplemental feed more than Males use supplemental feed more than females (Bartoskewitz et al. 2003).females (Bartoskewitz et al. 2003).

Deer weigh more when supplementally fed Deer weigh more when supplementally fed (Ozoga and Verme 1982).(Ozoga and Verme 1982).

Introduction Introduction

Aflatoxins can accumulate in the body from Aflatoxins can accumulate in the body from the usage of corn which can cause liver cancer the usage of corn which can cause liver cancer (Fischer et al. 1995). (Fischer et al. 1995).

Deer that are concentrated around Deer that are concentrated around supplemental feeding stations have a higher supplemental feeding stations have a higher chance of contracting Bovine tuberculosis chance of contracting Bovine tuberculosis (Miller et al. 2003). (Miller et al. 2003).

Objectives/HypothesisObjectives/Hypothesis

Objective: Determine the feed preference of Objective: Determine the feed preference of deerdeer

Hypothesis: Deer will use one feed choice Hypothesis: Deer will use one feed choice over the others.over the others.

Null Hypothesis: Deer will not show a feed Null Hypothesis: Deer will not show a feed preferencepreference

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials Three different locations in Three different locations in

the woods set up with the woods set up with supplemental feed in tube supplemental feed in tube feeders.feeders.

First tube contains 25 lbs. of First tube contains 25 lbs. of shelled corn, the second shelled corn, the second feeder will consist of 25 lbs. feeder will consist of 25 lbs. of corn that is coated in a of corn that is coated in a supplemental feed (Beast supplemental feed (Beast Feast) coating, and the third Feast) coating, and the third feeder will contain 25 lbs. of feeder will contain 25 lbs. of Buckola supplemental feed. Buckola supplemental feed.

tt-Test statistics-Test statistics ExperimentalExperimental DesignDesign

Methods and Materials Methods and Materials (Cont.)(Cont.)

This experiment will be similar to that of This experiment will be similar to that of Brigham (2001) in that the preference of the Brigham (2001) in that the preference of the feed shall be determined. feed shall be determined.

Methods and Material (cont.)Methods and Material (cont.) Table 1.1 shows an experimental design for the research for Table 1.1 shows an experimental design for the research for

the supplemental feed projectthe supplemental feed project Table 1.1 White-tailed Deer Experimental DesignTable 1.1 White-tailed Deer Experimental Design

QuestionQuestionDo deer prefer supplemental feed over Do deer prefer supplemental feed over corn?corn?

ProblemProblem Deer need food to survive.Deer need food to survive.

HypothesisHypothesis The hypothesis is that the deer will prefer The hypothesis is that the deer will prefer supplemental feeds over that of shelled supplemental feeds over that of shelled corn.corn.The null hypothesis is that deer will not The null hypothesis is that deer will not show any food preferences.show any food preferences.

Experimental DesignExperimental Design The experiment will involve using tube The experiment will involve using tube feeders to hold the feed. The feeders with feeders to hold the feed. The feeders with different types of feed will be located in different types of feed will be located in close proximity to each other and will close proximity to each other and will contain the same volume of food. The contain the same volume of food. The experiment will be repeated several times experiment will be repeated several times with the feeders being refilled once all of with the feeders being refilled once all of the feed is gone from all of the tube the feed is gone from all of the tube feeders at that particular site. Three feeders at that particular site. Three different locations will be set up to different locations will be set up to monitor the preferences of the deer. The monitor the preferences of the deer. The first two sites will be monitored first two sites will be monitored continuously with cameras to observe the continuously with cameras to observe the deer’s preferences. The third location will deer’s preferences. The third location will periodically be observed by the researcher.periodically be observed by the researcher.

ConclusionConclusion Deer will show a preference to food, when Deer will show a preference to food, when given a choice.given a choice.

ResultsResults The Buckola supplemental feed was the most preferredThe Buckola supplemental feed was the most preferred The corn coated with Beast Feast was the second most The corn coated with Beast Feast was the second most

preferredpreferred The corn by itself was the least preferred food choiceThe corn by itself was the least preferred food choice Feed usage decreased as plants greened out in the springFeed usage decreased as plants greened out in the spring

Results (cont.)Results (cont.)

Table 1.2 shows the feed amounts consumed at Table 1.2 shows the feed amounts consumed at each feeding station.each feeding station.

Feed Usage by the White-tailed DeerTable 1.2

   CornCornCorn with Corn with Beast FeastBeast Feast

Buckola Supplental Buckola Supplental FeedFeed

Camera 1Camera 127 lbs 27 lbs

(12.25 kg)(12.25 kg)39 lbs 39 lbs

(17.70 kg)(17.70 kg)50 lbs 50 lbs

(22.68 kg)(22.68 kg)

Camera 2Camera 243 lbs 43 lbs

(19.50 kg)(19.50 kg)62 lbs 62 lbs

(28.12 kg)(28.12 kg)75 lbs 75 lbs

(34.00 kg)(34.00 kg)

Personal ViewingPersonal Viewing8 lbs8 lbs

(3.63 kg)(3.63 kg)18 lbs18 lbs

(8.16 kg)(8.16 kg)25 lbs 25 lbs

(11.34 kg)(11.34 kg)

TotalTotal78 lbs 78 lbs

(35.38 kg)(35.38 kg)119 lbs119 lbs

(53.98 kg)(53.98 kg)150 lbs 150 lbs

(63.04 kg)(63.04 kg)

Results (cont.)Results (cont.)

Figure 1.1 shows a graph that displays the Figure 1.1 shows a graph that displays the difference in each type of feed that was difference in each type of feed that was consumed.consumed.

Figure 1.1Figure 1.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Kilograms of Feed

Consumed

Corn Corn withBeast Feast

BuckolaSupplental

Feed

Type of Feed

Feed Usuage by the White-tailed Deer

Camera 1

Camera 2

Personal Viewing

Total

DiscussionDiscussion

Reasons for Supplemental Feed preferencesReasons for Supplemental Feed preferences High protein contentHigh protein content Sweet smellSweet smell Sweet taste Sweet taste Higher palatability Higher palatability

Discussion (cont.)Discussion (cont.)

I accepted my hypothesis (Deer would show a I accepted my hypothesis (Deer would show a feed preference)feed preference)

Deer showed on preference for Buckola Deer showed on preference for Buckola supplemental feed over that of the corn.supplemental feed over that of the corn.

Discussion (cont.)Discussion (cont.)

Non-targeted animals were also present and showed Non-targeted animals were also present and showed similar preferences as the white-tailed deersimilar preferences as the white-tailed deer

Discussion (cont.)Discussion (cont.)

Deer will use supplemental feed more often in severe winters Deer will use supplemental feed more often in severe winters (Doenier et al. 1997) (Doenier et al. 1997)

Recommend feeding deer until vegetation begins to grow in Recommend feeding deer until vegetation begins to grow in the spring (Baker and Hobbs 1975)the spring (Baker and Hobbs 1975)

Deer will use supplemental feed more often in severe winters Deer will use supplemental feed more often in severe winters (Doenier et al. 1997) (Doenier et al. 1997)

Males use more supplemental feed than do Males use more supplemental feed than do females (Bartoskewitz et al. 2003) females (Bartoskewitz et al. 2003)

Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions

Final ResultsFinal Results Buckola was the most preferredBuckola was the most preferred

Further ResearchFurther Research What ingredients in the feed make it more What ingredients in the feed make it more

attractive.attractive. Do male and female deer have different Do male and female deer have different

preferencespreferences

Questions?Questions?