When I started deer farming 10 years ago, I used Purina deer chow antler max. I didn't know any better, and my deer did good. I met a deer famer who turned me on to his custom mix. My deer have done much better. The past few months I was contemplating mixing some deer chow in with my mix to stretch the feed and give the deer a little more bulk. I have now reconsidered and regret thinking of the idea.
My custom feed is about 17.00 a hundred pound. I had my local feed store order some deer chow for me. I didn't ask the price first and now I am sorry. the deer chow was 17.00 for 50 pounds. I was floored.
My opinion, use a custom mix or prebagged mix and stay away from deer chow. Your deer will do better, and other mixes will probably be fresher than the deer chow. Deer chow is sometimes months old when it finally reaches your local dealer.