Barley is a common cereal grain, and its appeal to deer is a frequent question. This article explores whether deer consume barley and the reasons behind their dietary choices, clarifying when and why this grain becomes part of their diet.
Understanding Deer Diets
Deer are ruminant herbivores. Their natural diet primarily consists of browse, which includes the leaves and twigs of woody plants, and forbs, which are herbaceous broad-leaved plants. Acorns and other nuts, collectively known as mast, also contribute significantly to their diet, especially in autumn.
Deer are selective feeders, preferring high-quality, easily digestible forage. Their nutritional needs vary seasonally, requiring protein for growth, reproduction, and antler development, along with energy from carbohydrates and fats. Essential minerals and vitamins are also obtained from their diverse plant consumption. This dietary flexibility allows deer to adapt to different environments and food availability.
Do Deer Eat Barley?
Deer do consume barley, both as green plants and harvested grain. Barley offers a balanced nutritional profile, including protein and carbohydrates, making it an attractive food source. Deer may graze on young, tender barley plants in fields, similar to how they forage on other cereal grains like wheat and oats. When barley matures, its seed heads become a nutritious food source. Deer can also consume spilled barley grain from agricultural operations or supplemental feeding sites. Its nutritional content and availability can make it a viable food option for them.
When and Why Deer Choose Barley
Deer often choose barley based on its availability, particularly when preferred natural food sources become scarce. During winter or periods of drought, when other vegetation is limited or lacks nutritional value, deer may turn to agricultural crops like barley for sustenance. Young, green barley shoots are generally more palatable and digestible, making them a more attractive option than mature, fibrous plants.
The high carbohydrate content in barley provides a readily available energy source, which is particularly beneficial for deer during demanding periods such as the pre-rut, fawning season, or harsh winter months. If a habitat lacks sufficient preferred foods, deer will opportunistically consume available barley to meet their energy and protein requirements. The presence or absence of alternative, more appealing food sources directly influences the extent to which deer will forage on barley.
Managing Deer Interactions with Barley
Managing deer interactions with barley involves either deterring them from crops or strategically using barley as a food source. To protect barley crops from deer damage, physical barriers like fencing are highly effective, typically needing to be at least 8 feet tall. Various repellents, including those with unpleasant tastes or scents, can also be applied to plants to discourage consumption, though consistent reapplication is often necessary. Scare tactics, such as motion-activated devices or loud noises, may offer temporary deterrence.
For those aiming to attract deer, barley is a common component in food plots due to its hardiness, rapid germination, and nutritional value. Planting barley in the fall can provide forage during critical winter months when other food is scarce. However, supplemental feeding, especially with grains like barley, carries risks. Sudden or excessive consumption of high-carbohydrate foods can lead to digestive issues like acidosis, which can be harmful or even fatal to deer. Concentrated feeding sites can also increase the risk of disease transmission among deer populations.