Written by: Bobby Deeds, Wildlife Specialist
Exotic animal species are becoming more and more common when it comes to properties that are being managed for recreational or commercial hunting. This is primarily due to the fact that they can be hunted year-round, which all hunters like, and can also bring in some much-needed supplemental income for commercial properties in the off season. Exotics are not real picky eaters but there are still some things you should be concerned with when it comes to supplemental feeding exotic species.
The first and most common issue I see with exotics are internal parasites. It is imperative to have a fecal monitoring program to be sure you do not reach parasite load threshold with exotics. While native deer can typically handle a fairly high parasite load before showing symptoms, some of the more expensive super exotic species will not show any symptoms and just start dying once a parasite threshold is reached. The only way to stay ahead of it is with a good monitoring program where you’re checking fecal matter, hopefully at least quarterly, and worm with an effective anthelmintic if needed.
Exotic animal species fall into two primary categories. These would be Grazers and Browsers. Browsers are going to prefer a diet similar to whitetail deer and will compete directly with them for resources. If you intend to run browsers with your whitetail and still maintain production, you have to be sure you do not exceed carrying capacity and have at least one supplemental feeding station for every 25 head (all species combined). Grazers are usually the larger exotic species and prefer to primarily consume grass but will also compete with whitetail to an extent. Grazers do not have as high of a nutrient demand, as their passage rate isn’t as fast as a browser and can therefore typically digest lower quality forage to meet demands. Supplements typically provided to grazers are also usually lower in protein.
Whether we are talking about feeding browsers or grazers, the biggest mistake I see most ranches make is feeding the cheapest feed they can find, or no feed at all, because they feel exotics are typically hardy and can often times survive without much help. Cheap supplements are typically not formulated correctly and can often cause more issues than no supplement at all. Properly formulated supplemental feed for exotics should improve both body condition, trophy quality and also allow you to carry more animals without substantially degrading your habitat. Rations that are cheap usually contain a high level of grain and can cause digestive issues as well. While our Exotic rations are very economical to feed, they all also have a max NFC level to limit digestive upset. This is a major issue when it comes most other rations available at the same price point. There is really not a one size fits all when it comes to feeding exotics. This is the reason we have exotic feeds from 12%-20% protein that are formulated differently to meet the needs of each ranch. What you should feed will really depend on your species mix and what type of habitat conditions exist on your property.
As I always say, every place is different and therefore the management of each ranch should vary in turn. This holds true for supplemental feeding. There are so many variables to consider when it comes to feeding exotics that many managers often overlook. This article, written by Dr. Johan Steyl, contains some excellent information regarding exotic nutrition, and well worth the read.
I would recommend discussing a feeding plan with a nutritionist every year to be sure you are meeting the demands of your herd based on numbers and existing habitat conditions. Please feel free to contact us anytime for a free feeding evaluation.