Sunflower seeds contain oil and fat that help keep the deer warm in the winter months. Sunflower seeds have high levels of fiber. Zinc, thiamin, choline, and riboflavin are some of the vitamins found in sunflower seeds. Sunflowers are a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and selenium. They also contain vitamins A, C, E, K, folate, vitamin B6, B12, niacin and pantothenic acid.
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How do you plant sunflower seeds for deer?
The price for a pound of seed is approximately $25. If broadcasting, you should plant 25 pounds per acre. If drilling, plant at least 20 pounds per acre. Plant seeds and then use a cultipacker to put them at the bottom of the well. The best time to plant seeds is in the fall, when the weather is warm and the soil is moist. The seeds will germinate in about two weeks.
In the spring, the seeds should be planted in late spring or early summer, depending on the type of soil in which you are planting them. You can also plant them in early spring if you have a well with a good drainage system, but you will need to water the seedlings to keep them from drying out.
What wildlife eats sunflower seeds?
Birds, squirrels, mice, deer, rats, voles, and chipmunks are some of the animals that eat sunflowers. Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. They can also be boiled, roasted, sautéed, steamed, baked, fried, or used as a salad dressing. Sunflower seed oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for good health.
Are sunflowers a good food plot for deer?
Sunflower plants are very tasty to deer and offer an excellent source of nutrition when available. They aren’t something that deer get in the wild for. They will go out of their way to feast on these leaves. As the deer come out from their winter slumber, they will start to use the food plots.
Sunflowers can also be used as a food source for other animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways.
Do deer eat pumpkin seeds?
The deer like to eat pumpkins. The pumpkin guts are eaten by deer. Pumpkins are a good source of vitamin C;
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Copper
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin b6
They are also high in protein, fiber, vitamins A, C and E, folate, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin D, vitamin E and potassium. Pumpkin seeds are rich in beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein.
Can sunflower seed be broadcast?
If broadcasting, recommended seeding rates for sunflower is 8-10 pounds per acre (2-3 acres per bag). By dragging, cultipacking or lightly disking, broadcast can be incorporated into the soil. After planting, rolling the seed bed will help. Sunflower seeds can be planted in the spring or early summer, depending on the weather and soil conditions.
Sunflower seedlings should not be transplanted into the ground until the soil has warmed up to about 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) and the seeds have germinated. The seeds should be placed in a warm, moist, well-drained container with plenty of air circulation. If the container is too cold, the seedling will not grow and will die.
In the winter, when temperatures are below freezing, a container placed on a window sill will keep the air inside warm enough to allow for the germination of seeds.
Will deer eat dead sunflowers?
Deer prefer leaves over flowers, but they will eat both. Young sunflowers are a good source of nutrition for deer and they tend to like them. Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. They can also be ground into flour and used as a flour substitute in baked goods. Sunflower flour is also used to make breads, muffins, cakes, cookies, and crackers.
