6-8 gallons of water a day

This seems out of the ordinary. I have a 6 year old buck that has been drinking 6-8 gallons of water per day and eating very little, less than a pound of feed per day. He appears to have no health issues whatsoever. Though, he is in the pen where he has been all his life, but he is by himself for the first time ever. Am I missing something here, like some type of health issue? He is on a 16% diet.

I am with you, that seems to be quite out of the ordinary. I would say its not impossible, especially if he has had does in the pen with him in years past. Was he a breeder in the past for you? I have seen old deer that were use to breeding that were isolated pace the fence line real hard and loose lots of weight. Never drinking tons of water like that though. Keep us posted please.



-Johnny B

My yearling bucks are expeirencing similar conditions, although I think I know why, It is because they are sniffing my breeder does on the other side of the shade cloth. These several bucks normally eat a full 5 gallon bucket a day (about 34lbs.) But during most of November they were eating a 5 gallon bucket every 4-6 days, their feed drop off unbelieveable! And during that time they were drinking my tub that holds at least 60 gallons, probably more, almost down to empty in 2 days. Probably for the most part because winter weather has not hit yet, we have been averaging 50 degrees during November, very warm. I did not do the math, but I am sure some of my bucks were drinking 5 gallons a day. Being a deer on a sunny 50 degree day with a full winter coat, would have to be similar to us dressing head to toe in a wool hunting suit on a warm day and walking around all day, I am sure we would drink a lot more that usual.

If you haven't noticed any health issues, I would say that your buck is just a bit lovesick this month, just my opinion, and I would suspect that he will return to normal feeding and watering in a short time, as most of the does are bred and not smelling as "sweet" to them anymore. I think bucks are on the move constantly this time of year(wild and pen bucks) even if your buck can't see your does, I am sure he is smelling them, or wild does.

As far as the 16%, I think that is good mix, in fact I never go above 16% protein at any time during the year, works fine for me. Good luck with him, I hope he stays well and gets no health issues.

Is there grass or browse in the pen? Is he pacing the fence now that he is alone?

Samething here bucks eating next to nothing and drinking 3times as much as usual .it's just that time of the year.

Yes he has browse. But no he is not pacing the fence. Sounds normal if others are experiencing this. I just never noticed it before. Thanks for the replies.

I separated my young buck, he did not really pace at the fence but,

He just did not seem "himself". I made a gate to where they all can go

In each pen as they please. He was just lonely, and depressed. That is

Just what my case was. Fine now

Deer generally do not do well at all if they are separated and in a pen by themselves. This will cause quite a bit of stress that you may or may not be able to physically see. Good luck, and get him a companion quickly if possible.

WillPenn Whitetails said:

Deer generally do not do well at all if they are separated and in a pen by themselves. This will cause quite a bit of stress that you may or may not be able to physically see. Good luck, and get him a companion quickly if possible.

Click to expand...

some one has told me deer feel 40 deg warmer them we do , so if we feel like its 60 now he/they feel 100 deg been hunting hard in nj for the last week and almost had to step on them to get them up ,all deer we got came from swamps ? all i have seen is buzzards that weigh 70 lbs and coyotes so fat they cant lick there balls and migets the size of mumming birds LOL