I'm considering adding a protein feeder and/or a few cotton seed wire mesh rings inside my hog proof feeder pens. Looks like there are a bunch of options online and reading back on some of these older threads.

What's y'all preferred feeder?
I'd prefer a free choice one so they can feed as needed and when they want (I think). Or possibly a timed feeder with a tub with feeder spouts to keep it off the ground?

Another thought I had was to mix 50/50 corn protein with my regular 300# feeder and attached something to the bottom of my feeder that would limit how far it would sling the corn and pellets. But rather keep it inside the feeder fence. Been doing a good job keep coon population down, so not as big of a concern with them.

Free choice, no question. The timed feeders will occasionally clog (protein swell/moisture or a chunk will get mixed in) and they are an absolute nightmare to clean. Not to mention all of the studies are based on free choice.

A guy I hunted with tried to convert his corn feeder to do the same thing you're talking about. It actually worked okay but you need a tray or something to keep the protein off the ground.

All seasons timed feeder with tray. Fill it with double down and don't look back. I have free choice with gravity tubes and the ASF timed trays for years. I have trouble with the free choice tube feeders clogging from moisture getting in the tubes-have never had the ASF tray feeders clog. I also like controlling how much is fed each day-without being able to check them every week sometimes the free choice are empty for a week or two. I always know when the timed feeder should run out. Now that I hit half a hundred I also like the tray feeder being a stand and fill-trying to limit number of trips up ladder toting 50# sack Of feed.

I've had good luck with the Lamco timed protein feeder not ever clogging. I use the timed for the same reason as the above poster stated.

I've got http://www.outbackfeeders.com/ that came with our property. Two 2k lb and one 1k lb - they are all heavy duty and come with skids

One of the 2k lb is gravity feeder with tubes. Tubes come out far enough that they work fine for both adult bucks and fawns. The other 2k has a timer and a varmint guard and I'm about to convert it to tubes

Previous owner wasn't really doing any year round feeding and hadn't run any of the corn feeders much prior to selling to us. Running protein year round made a big difference for us

In the past I ran Buck Ration 16 or 20 corn / soy mix in all of them then after winter switched to protein pellets in the bulk feeder till the next winter. This year I decided to save a little money and went to just corn and skipped the buck ration.

I put out a Lamco 700lb recently. Sturdy and on skids to "easily" move. I thought about the timed feeders, but was worried about them clogging up as we don't get out to our place often enough. Anxious to see if the elk and mule deer have taken to the new feeder.

Where is that?

I use this feeder except mine is the 6 tube version.

Had it many years.

jpb1999 said:

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Where is that?

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South of Alpine.

Lead flavored

Is this near your homemade guzzler?

(I think that's you but apologies if it is another poster)

thanks folks for the info. points me in the right direction

The best protein feeder is the ones your brother in-law fills for you !

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Is this near your homemade guzzler?

(I think that's you but apologies if it is another poster)

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Yep. Probably about a 1/2 mile away. I have a timed feeder by the guzzler, but have considered swapping. Hell, need some rain for that guzzler to be effective!

Are yall having problems with Coons with these feeders?

Cool! I always enjoyed that write up and pictures of the elk!

Definitely need more rain...

aggie1819 said:

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Are yall having problems with Coons with these feeders?

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Coons will always be a problem with free choice protein feeders but you're ensuring that all animals will have the opportunity to eat, until empty. The raccoons will get educated if the protein feeders go off in the morning and afternoon and adjust schedules accordingly. Admittedly it is not nearly as many though.

And deer protein is like a cocktail of HGH and Steroids for them. I've seen some coons that look ready to take on a pit bull...

My farm is near a landfill so Coons will always be around no matter how many I kill. I haven't put out protein feeders for this reason but want to give them a shot. If anyone wants to make a raccoon coat or blanket, I can get about 20+ in a weekend.

AGGIE WH08P said:

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Another thought I had was to mix 50/50 corn protein with my regular 300# feeder and attached something to the bottom of my feeder that would limit how far it would sling the corn and pellets.

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I did something similar today but forgot to take pics. Wanted to set up a timed feeder that could feed corn, protein, or a mix throughout the year. And I wasnt willing to spend $1000 to do it. My properties are smaller acreage so my main plan for protein is an attractant. I also live nearby so they dont have to be huge. The goal would be to draw in some nice bucks during the summer and hope they're still there when archery opens.

Im converting 55 gallon drum feeders.

Swapped the regular funnel for this one- 55 gal Protein Funnel (allseasonsfeeders.com)

Swapped spinner plate with this one- Large Cup Spinne | Deer Protein Feeder Spinner Parts and Accessories | All Seasons Feeders

Wrapped galvanized sheet around one of these varmint cages. Keep the coons out and makes the feed fall down instead of out.- Varmint Basket (allseasonsfeeders.com)

I already had troughs under some of my feeders. I like to fill them full in the days before Im going to hunt and it keeps the feed off the ground. Double layer of 1/4" rabbit wire in the bottom for air flow.



About 16" from the bottom of the varmint cage to the trough. If you have a feed pen for hogs, drop the trough down some for the fawns.

So far, it looks like it should work great. About $60 to make the conversion.

Nice! Like what you did there.

Might be my plan for year #1. I have a crank up feeder now with 2-3' legs on the barrel that keep it off the ground when it's lowered all the way down. I might find something to wrap around those shorter legs to help keep the broadcast diameter within the feeder pen. First thing that comes to kind is some old carpet tie wrapped to each leg.

Ideally, I want to get a true protein feeder, but want to test the waters with some protein pellets and cotton wire mesh feeders.

I have had a bunch of feeders: All Seasons, Big Horn, Crossfire, Lamco, and another brand an early model HB or similar (it was painted so many times the id was lost). I currently have 10 ASF, 3 Crossfire's and 1 Lamco. The one that has held up the best is the All Seasons Low Pro because it is not a tube design and allows the dust and any rain to somewhat filter out of the screen on the bottom. I have been replacing the ones that rust out with All Seasons.