This is said to be the fastest way to find if there is a possible deficiency or toxicity problem. Most producers are using alfalfa and red clover mixtures for winter hay as the deer seen to have a preference for this. Pastures range from native grasses to mixtures of timothy, brome, and alfalfa to forage rape. Reindeer also love to browse on the leaves of willows, poplar, alders and also almost any small shrubs. Trees in the pasture also give the reindeer something to rub their antlers on, thereby saving fences.
Reindeer also love leafy weeds like dandelions.
Exotic grasses like orchard grass, chickory, tall fescue, turnip rondo, forage rape and forage kale have been seeded with varying results. During the winter months it is not necessary to supply water for the deer providing there is a sufficient snow cover. In confinement, there has to be attention paid to balancing out their dietary intake. One of the areas that has arisen is the need to balance out the diet with the proper mineral mixture. This seems to require a summer and a winter mixture due to the difference of mineral contents in pasture and hay.