Red/Purple Urine Puddles... Maple Leaf Consumption???

The past two weeks we have had random red/purple urine spots throughout the pens and when they dry they are almost black. We first thought it was due to the wormer that we had started and it was just affecting their urine. They have been off dewormer for a week now and they are still happening. Then thought maybe its the does that are about to have fawns, then we found in bucks pen too. Not it. Last idea is we have been cutting maple trees down and throwing the branches in the pens for them to eat on. Can excessive maple leaf consumption affect the urine on deer like Asparagus affects humans? By the look of the puddles there is something wrong. Dont know if its a big deal or not? does anyone else feed branches to their deer for extra greens?Anyone have any other ideas? Everything looks healthy!! fawns are dropping and being taken care of. Bucks are doing great. Just a little concerned with the red/purple urine spots. Thanks for any suggestions and answers!

I cant say I know what mallasous is. We are just feeding strait maxrax pellets top dressed with fastrack.

I think Nick was wondering if they add molasses in your feed to get the minerals to stick to it. As far as maple leaves go I have dozens of silver maples in and around my pens and the deer eat them all the time with no ill effects. With the storms that have been coming through we had a sugar maple in the front yard come down and I hauled the branches in yesterday and today they are all bear. They even eat the ends of the branches. They act like its a real treat. I haven't noticed any discoloration in there urine but to be honest I haven't been inspecting it. I do no that when they pee in the snow sometimes it appears to have a bit of a orange or red cast to it. But I have seen no ill effects from that either. Rick

T.R.O.



I have also noticed that in all my pens. I really haven't put that much thought into it, but we have also been cutting down trees in there pens. Mostly maples and beach trees.

Alright, Im going to assume that is the reasoning behind this. Now, is there a limit to how many they should be having? Usually deer consume what they want and know whats best for them but looking at the urine, it seems something is wrong. Does anyone know if there is anything to worry about or not? Thanks!!