October is usually quite dry, lacking rainfall and this year was no exception.
We maintain a 40 gallon stock tank with water for any and all animals. Although not measured specifically, it would be a good bet that the animals are consuming more water than we do in the house counting all uses. Refill rates of about 30 gallons per day are about normal during these periods of no rainfall. (rainwater is our only source of water---so we are careful to conserve)
This year, the drought on this property has been more severe than the effect of the statewide drought of 2015. The effect of lack of rain for so long a period has resulted in no grass seed production at all. The Indian grass, the bluestem, the lovegrass, and others did not develop seed stems at all. Thus no seed was collected by hand and redistributed.
The effect on small animals has been tough. No longer do we see any mice in the fields. No mice, no owls. Dove count has been really low.
Deer herd size varies from three to six. Less than last year. Two of the does had three fawns. The fawns survived and still stay in the area.
Feeding of the deer has been frequent. They are fed kitchen scrap greens mostly, but augmented with sweet feed and corn.
Bought 50 pounds of sweet feed and 40 pounds of sunflower seed.
