Not Just Deer: Aflatoxins Affect All WildlifeOnly 25% of the animals visiting corn feeders were deer, according to a 2022 Mississippi State University study titled “Identifying Aflatoxin Exposure Risk from Supplemental Feeding of Deer.”This means that many non-target species — including songbirds — are also exposed to potentially harmful feed.Songbirds, such as northern cardinals, exhibit immune suppression at just 25 ppb of aflatoxins, and can experience up to 77% mortality at concentrations above 500 ppb.Wild turkeys fed corn containing 100–200 ppb of aflatoxins showed significant liver damage and reduced immune function.
The Hidden Danger in Wildlife Feed: The Truth About Aflatoxins and the Solution with MILBOND®-WL
  • 🚫 The Harsh Reality: Aflatoxins in Deer Corn
  • Corn rejected for human and livestock consumption due to high aflatoxin levels is still often used for feeding deer.
  • No level of aflatoxin is considered safe for wildlife, particularly during stress periods such as weaning, antler development, and fawning.
  • Deer fawns consuming diets with aflatoxin levels as high as 800 ppb may not appear visibly sick but can suffer from organ damage and reduced body weight. National Deer Association
  • Aflatoxins suppress the immune system in deer, increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases.
  • Transmission from doe to fawn through milk has been documented, further endangering neonates.
  • Antler development can also be negatively impacted by aflatoxin exposure.
  • Reproductive performance is at risk — aflatoxins have been shown to interfere with fertility and reproductive organ development in wildlife species.
  • Wild turkeys exposed to aflatoxins lay fewer eggs, reducing population productivity.
  • Even low-level exposure may cause long-term damage without visible symptoms.
  • According to Oklahoma State University researchers (Dale, O’Connell, & Elmore, 2021), aflatoxins represent a largely unrecognized but serious threat to wildlife populations through contaminated feed.
  • While mammals are somewhat more tolerant than birds, chronic exposure still results in long-term health and productivity losses.
✅ Benefits:• Improves size, weight, and health of the deer herd• Protects antler development, especially in young bucks• Shields the reproductive system in both males and females• Reduces aflatoxin transfer to milk, safeguarding fawns• Prevents accumulation of aflatoxins in muscle, protecting the final consumer
Aflatoxins = Invisible Threat• Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus fungi naturally found in soil.• Grains stored in warm, humid conditions can develop dangerous aflatoxin levels without visible signs.• Most people feeding wildlife remain unaware of the danger.
  • The Proven Solution: MILBOND®-WL
  • MILBOND®-WL is a natural mycotoxin binder designed specifically for wildlife feed. It provides protection not only against the harmful effects of aflatoxins, but also against other major mycotoxins such as zearalenone, fumonisins, and ergot alkaloids, supporting overall animal health.