↬ Should you feed Indian corn to deer? This is a common question many have when faced with the dilemma to either toss the Indian corn out or let the deer have it.
Yes, Indian corn can be fed to deer and it’s a viable source of nutrition for white-tailed deer, mule deer, wild hogs, turkeys, and many other animals. Indian corn is mostly used for ornamental displays, but it also has uses for both attracting deer and providing a nutritional food source to supplement their diet. Sweet yellow corn is the most preferred and widely available deer corn, but Indian corn does have its uses.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what exactly Indian corn is, how it differs from regular yellow deer corn, and why you should consider it to fill your deer feeders.
- Should you feed Indian corn to deer?
- What is Indian corn?
- Indian Corn vs Yellow Corn
- Do deer like Indian corn?
- Tips for Using Indian Corn over Yellow Sweet Corn
- Is cracked or whole corn better?
- Do deer eat corn stalks?
- Alternative feed sources other than corn
- Does corn make a good food plot for deer hunting?
- Bottom Line: Indian Corn can be fed to deer
Should you feed Indian corn to deer?
Yes, Indian corn is viable source of nutrients that can be fed to deer and other wildlife. It is slightly less nutritious than yellow corn, but it can provide a substance for deer to snack on when the availability of natural or traditional food sources are scarce.
Indian corn can be fed to deer both on the cobb or off. They won’t mind either way. Keeping the kernels on the cobb is usually the better approach since it limits the wasted kernels that may get broadcasted and never found.
What is Indian corn?
Indian corn (Zea mays var. indurate) has many different names, including flint corn and colico corn. It is a variant of maize and closely related to the common yellow corn that is popular as a deer attractant and on dinner tables.
Native Americans first cultivated Indian corn and its multicolored kernels are a pigment variation that varies extensively between each cob. Indian corn is used to make hominy and popcorn, but the most popular use is ornamental displays for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Indian Corn vs Yellow Corn
The differences between Indian corn and yellow deer corn are the size of the kernel, sweetness, and moisture level. The price of each type of corn is also a consideration.
The kernel size of Indian corn, on average, is smaller than yellow corn. This difference is only by a few millimeters, but over a large quantity, it’s very noticeable. Yellow corn contains more sugar than Indian corn, due to less conversion of sugar to starch.
Indian corn is drier and contains less moisture inside the kernel than yellow corn. The price between the two fluctuates often, but typically a 50lb bag of yellow deer corn is $10-15 and Indian corn is sold by the bushel.
Here’s a great video explaining the history of Indian Corn
Video from Clearview Farm Youtube Channel on the History of Indian Corn
Do deer like Indian corn?
Yes, deer love Indian corn. Even though it’s less sweet than yellow corn, deer still prefer it to most other food sources. Indian corn’s drier kernel gives it a longer shelf life in moist climates than regular corn. If you have a problem with mold in your deer feeders, Indian corn may help solve it.
Indian corn’s smaller kernel is easier for deer feeders to throw longer distances for greater coverage. Deer will spread out more and the different color variations can help from keeping birds and squirrels from easily finding it.
Tips for Using Indian Corn over Yellow Sweet Corn
- The best deals on Indian corn are after Thanksgiving
- Finding a wholesale supplier can make Indian corn cheaper per pound
- Set your deer feeder spin time shorter since Indian corn kernels are smaller
- Cast rates for Indian corn are longer, so clear ample space
Is cracked or whole corn better?
Whole corn is always better to use for feeding deer than cracked corn because it’s harder for it break down. Cracked corn exposes the inner parts of the corn kernel which can both break it down quicker being exposed to the elements and be taken off site easier by rodents, birds, and ants.
The goal of using supplemental feed is to keep as much feed as possible on site for deer to consume without wasting corn and money. By using gravity feeders, whole corn is available on demand and not wasted by being broadcasted and exposed.
Do deer eat corn stalks?
Deer will not eat corn stalks. They prefer the kernels and sometimes the husk and leaves which are easier to chew and digest. Corn stalks are made from tough, fibrous material which requires a deer to excessively chew, and the nutritional value is low for the effort exerted.
Deer will knock bushels off the corn stalks or find broadcasted corn by harvesters to eat rather than eating the stalks themselves. Areas with high deer traffic retain corn stalks all season long, indicating deer rarely prefer them over other food sources.
Do Deer Eat Corn husks?
No, deer will not eat corn husks. Corn husks contain no nutritional value and are difficult to digest. Deer may chew on corn husks, but rarely do they consume them.
Alternative feed sources other than corn
Deer feed on many different types of grains, as wells as natural vegetation. The most common alternative to deer corn is to plant a food plot. Food plots can vary in size, while plant species can be tailored toward the soil and climate conditions.
Other alternatives to corn include cotton seed, milo, clover, winter grasses, wheat, and alfalfa. Native vegetation that deer feed on include beauty berry, acorns, and pecans.
Whitetail Institute Imperial Clover broadcast seed is a great way to ditch the corn and have your own food plot that doesn’t require constant upkeep.
- Packed with ANTLER-BUILDING protein
- Helps does deliver HEAVIER, HEALTHIER fawns and produce more milk
- EXTREMELY cold tolerant as well as heat and drought resistant
- Coated with RainBond for ENHANCED seedling SURVIVABILITY
- Lasts up to 5 YEARS from a SINGLE planting
Does corn make a good food plot for deer hunting?
Planting corn in food plots can be a good strategy if you have a hundred or more acres to plant. Small food plots do not work well with planting corn since the grain output is small and won’t last long.
Winter grasses and glover are best for small food plots where it can densely cover more area with grazable space. Propagation is also easier in moist soils over trying to grow corn.
The best food plots for deer require soil tilling well in advance of deer season. Fertilizers should be added to make up for any soil mineral deficiencies. Seed should be broadcasted prior to a light rain and some mitigating factors should be applied to keep sprouts from being eaten or damaged by wildlife before the plants reach maturity.
Bottom Line: Indian Corn can be fed to deer
Indian corn can be fed to deer, and they really like it. Native Americans first cultivated Indian corn which was later modified into popular yellow corn that people eat today. Genetic pigments in Indian corn cause the large variety in kernel color.
The best time to find Indian corn is after Thanksgiving since its commonly used for ornamental purposes. Indian corn has a smaller kernel size than yellow corn, it contains less moisture, and is less sweet.
Alternative deer feed other than Indian corn include cotton seed, millet, and clovers. Food plots with winter grasses such as rye and wheat are popular food plot choices for deer hunting season.
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