Do Deer Eat Grass?
In short, yes – deer eat grass. However, it isn’t a primary source of nutrition for them and they don’t eat large quantities of it.
Read on to learn about grass nutritional value, why and when deer eat grass, and how to protect your grass from deer, if that’s what you’re after.
Grass Nutritional Information:
Grass is a plant, so why don’t humans and many other animals eat it regularly? Doctors recommend we eat lots of plants and vegetables, so why exactly isn’t it a part of most of our diets?
In actuality, grass (especially wild grass) does have nutrients – it has vitamins A, C, and some B vitamins, as well as several minerals. However, it also contains something called lignin, and a lot of it. Humans can process lignin in small qualities, but grass contains so much that it usually passes through without giving any nutrients. Meanwhile, other animals like cows, with their famed multiple stomachs, are able to eat grass and thrive on it.
Is Grass Good for Deer?
Although many animals can thrive on diets consisting largely of grass (see a full list of animals that eat grass here), for many animals including hamsters and humans, grass isn’t a viable source of sustenance.
Deer aren’t able to get all the nutrients they need from grass, and instead subsist on a diet of flowering plants, woody plants, vines, and weeds. So grass is edible to deer, but it isn’t an optimal food source for them.
What is a deer’s diet?
Deers survive mostly on plants and only eat grass on occasion, when it’s green and young. Instead, they go for woody plants and vines, weeds, and flowering plants. In addition, they enjoy eating twigs, berries, fruits, and vegetables like corn, wheat, and mushrooms.
Are there potential risks associated with feeding deer grass?
Yes. If the grass or plants outside have been treated with chemical pesticides, or are contaminated with other animal’s feces, deer could get poisoned. Some signs to watch out for:
- Seizures
- Lack of appetite
- Listless and lack of energy
Do Deer Eat Grass Clippings?
Yes! So long as the clippings are fresh. If the grass clippings in question have been out for longer than two days, they will start to decompose and ferment, a process that will continue in the deer’s stomach and could cause stomach upset and digestive issues.
How to get deer to stop grazing on your lawn?
If you’d like to deter deer from gobbling at your lawn, these are some tried and true methods:
- Grow plants that deter deer – like lavender and daffodils
- Build a fence around your grass
- Install noise and sound machines
- Install motion activated sprinklers
- Having a dog will likely deter deer
Recap:
- Yes, but only on occasion
- They prefer a diet of other plant matter and fruits and vegetables
- Deer may get sick if they ingest grass that’s been sprayed with herbicide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Do whitetail deer eat grass?
Yes, especially in the winter when other food sources are hard to come by. However, they prefer twigs, other vegetables, legumes, and fruits, if they can find them.
Do deer eat lawn grass?
Yes, deer will eat lawn grass. However, it’s rare and highly unlikely they will because it’s hard for them to digest. It’s more likely that they’re looking through the grass for weeds or other plants that they prefer to eat.
Do deer eat grass seed?
It’s unlikely that deer will eat grass seed, however they will eat it if they are starving. Grass seed does not provide much nutritional value to deer.
Do deer eat grass hay?
Yes, deer can and do eat grass hay, however it’s very difficult for them to digest so it’s best to avoid feeding them hay.
What grasses do deer like to eat?
In general, deer will avoid ornamental grass and leaves, but they will go for grass like ryegrass to eat. You can plant it amongst switchgrass, which grows quite tall, as deer like to have cover while they eat. This way, they’ll feel protected and have a food source.
If you have any further questions, feel free to email me!
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