Any Ideas on grinding hard bones - Page 3

Most of the stock dogs need high protein and high fat, but with my GSD's I just need to build a balanced diet. I am always looking for better ways

Nans  Thank you it was a long time ago, but still miss him.

 One egg shell ground = not much. The upside is they are a lot easier to grind than beef bones - one can use a coffee grinder.

Been there, tried most of the raw food suggestions in the last 43 years - had one dog that vomited splintered bones and blood, another with bloody diarrhea containing bone chards,  another that needed surgery to remove a piece of raw carrot from his cheek. Assisted with surgery to remove a splintered chicken bone that pierced a bullmastiff's stomach and caused peritonitis. Dog died. Feeding raw just isn't for me. I'll stay with cooking it first and a high grade kibble.

I'd never try to talk anyone out of feeding raw, I know many love it and haven't had the issues I've had. However, it's probably a great idea to stay with the dogs until they've devoured their entire meals unless you are grinding the bones first.

Nans, I know quite a few breeder who love the pre-ground food like K-9 cravings. It might be expensive to feed to multiple dogs though.

Blitzen  I agree that is why I would like to grind bones in a meal.

It's a curse, Paul. If you weren't trying to breed the best you can, you would be throwing a handful of Ole Roy into each bowl instead of wondering how you can grind beef bones. Ever wonder what "normal" people think about?

Okay, I think I have something for you to consider. It is a bit outside the box, but go ahead and tweak it so it fits what you are looking for. I really have no idea what quantities and how frequent you plan on making batches. Here's the idea, don't laugh outright, think about it, first.

What about some kind of industrial wood chipper? Also, I am assuming you are chopping raw bones? Even frozen raw bones?  So, then if you want a powder, you'd have to dehydrate the chopped product, and bring it somewhere for a milling. 

(We had a sensational murder in these parts and there wasn't much left, some teeth I believe, when the husband put her through the chipper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Helle_Crafts)

JHC Bee;  horrific story.

On a good note I am getting a pretty good price on the K9 Kravings; plus have various mixtures including some exotics I may try later.  For now just keep in simple.  My friend (same one that lost the Rotti girl) got a 3/4hp garbage disposal and set it up to grind all meats and vegi's after that incident I mentioned above.  Set it up on a table (outside) and put a large plastic kitchen container underneath and that is how she did all her grinding;  not sure how big you could go with bone though, mine chokes (l/2 hp) on chicken neck.  Would maybe have to be 1 or more hp or commercial .  Brand new of course.  I doubt it would do a knuckle bone though.  Not sure. 

Paul some dogs NEVER leave us no matter how long it has been.  Am still grieving my boy;  my puppy has helped with the process but it is still there.  And I had an incredible service girl that remains in my heart to this day and she died  11-12 years ago;  I have a vivid picture in my mind of her beauty and her memorable intelligence.  Just thought I would share.  Great days,  Nan

Feeding a home prepared diet isn't for everyone or every dog, and I frequently remember fondly of how easy feeding kibble was. Anyway, how many dogs are you planning on feeding this new diet? Another way of getting around feeding bones is to feed a kibble diet and then adding up to about 20% raw. Then you don't have to worry about balancing it or adding bones.

By the way, as egg shell is pure calcium, one egg shell = a lot.

1 medium sized egg shell ground = about 1 tsp of powder = about 750 to 800 mg of elemental calcium.

Blitzen  Are you trying to tell me Ole Roy isn't super premium dog food? LOL You are the second person in my life to imply I was not normal ;) Okay maybe a few more then two. Its a great life on the other side of crazy!!

Beetree   "out side of the box" I can't even see inside the box. lol I have thought of that but the thing that bothers me is the chance of metal breaking off and feeding it to the dogs. Beef bones are real hard. My wife threatened to put me in the wood chipper, but being the TOUGH man I am I out ran her and bought her flowers.

Nans Pirry was a great dog for me and I am looking for another like him. He was the hardest dog I ever seen.  I got a picture of him and myself for Christmas a year and half later and ruined my day. I have never shed that many tears in my life. Heck I have owned and trained dogs from start to finish and sold them with little or no feeling, but not him, he fit me like a glove.

Greyhoundgirl... I am only feeding 2 dogs at the time, But in the stock dog program we have 25 adults and a crap load of puppies and started youngsters. We will often have 2000 lbs of meat in our freezers.