RAW FEEDERS QUESTION - Page 2

Evaporated milk is about the same fat content and nutritional value as goats milk or puppy formula but about $1 per can ( no sugar like condensed too ).  My dogs of all ages like it and have no problem digesting it after a few doses of probiotic which probably wouldn't be a bad idea for most dogs anyway.  Calcium, protein, and fat in a can .. warm in a glass bowl in the microwave if desired and serve.  My puppies love it and so do the adult dogs when they can get some.  A large meat grinder will grind up bones if that is what you want though.

Thanks Bubba I appreciate all the help I can get at this time.  I used to use the evaporated milk when I made puppy formulas;  worked great.  However with this bitch, not positive of this but I do not think she will be tolerant of the milk as she is somewhat sensitive to cottage cheese and sometimes even yogurt.  OK on yogurt now but it took her a while to get used to dairy.

Has anyone found a raw feed vit/mineral supplement??  I have not used supplement's in the past so am at a loss at this time.  Will do some research though and see what comes up. 

Thanks to all  Nan

When I researched grinders, I found some decent ones on Amazon about $200.00. I'm in about the same predicament as you as I have a 10 yo rescue that is missing some teeth and having a hard time chomping those chicken leg quarters. I went with ground chicken or ground beef. You can supplement with bone meal that you can get fairly cheap in capsule form for humans. Liquid calcium would be better though and easier to digest. I wouldnt feed evaperted milk.

You can always do the cheap mans grind (done this too). Put the meat in a baggie and use a hand tenderizer tool. Doesn't work too well for legs though.

Nans.

LEM grinder! I have had one for a long time and it will take care of chicken like a charm. The LEM 32 will also take care of turkey necks.

Bubba.. seriously.... ?

Perhaps run an advertisement asking to buy a food grinder in the classifieds section .. plenty of them sitting unused.  I know someone who has one and I will see if she will sell it as she has only one young male dog now and no need for a grinder.

Thanks everyone, the grinder needs to be able to grind bone also.  That I guess if the difference in cheap and somewhat more expensive.  Will keep looking though.  In the meantime, I have ordered some pre ground diets for her, we'll see how she does.  Took a hammer to some chicken necks and gave with boneless thighs.  So far so good.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Thx to all.  Nan

Northern tools grinder will handle chicken bones. I used to have one. Sold it .  Too time consuming. But if you are only grInding for one should be ok.  Not sure where you are located but I get all my ground meat bone mixes from www.topqualitydogfood.com  he delivers in MD Del NJ
PA and NY. He makes stops along the turnpike. No delivery fee fresh food. And his prices are better than any of the  pre made mixes. Good luck

Nans try this one  ​http://www.sears.com/bestchoiceproducts-meat-grinder-electric-2.6-hp-2000-watt/p-SPM6415025708?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19&PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:4:0

I have also used the one from Northern tools about the same price.

They will do well on chicken necks can do thighs and bone as well.  Will do the legs but struggle some if the bone is on the larger size, turkey neck are usually to big to fit in the chute but the small ones will grind.

I feed my old ones ground chicken necks and whole beef kidneys they love them

Bubba I too feed my pups chicken legs and they can eat them but with the older dogs the teeth become loose so when they bite on hard things the teeth move and  they cannot get any pressure from the bite.

FWIW,
I bought this grinder http://www.amazon.com/STX-MEGAFORCE-SERIES-PATENT-PENDING/dp/B005F55EUQ and I have no issues grinding bone with it. The REAL TRICK TO GRINDING MEAT IS, IT NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST HALF FROZEN. If you do it this way you will have no issues! Also make sure you have the cutting blade in correctly.

I have ground:

• Chicken
• Rabbit
• Quail
• and Beef so far...

I hope this helps.
Michael

EDIT*** One last thing Nan, if you do go with a pre-made food I would go with Darwins. I tried a few different ones with my cats and Asko before I got him home and the Darwins was superior in my opinion. Please note that none of that is based in science just what I found I liked the best. Except of course that the two Bangles would not eat any other brand including the home made stuff.

Laura, thanks for the tips re the grinders.  I'll check them out.  Still don't know if I want to grind myself.  Such a mess.  But for her I will do it if that is what I have to do.  Thx  Nan


Michael, that is very interesting about the Darwins, guess there is definitely a message there.  Will check it out.  I also have a guy that delivers fresh/frozen's; so will see if they carry Darwins. 

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Thanks GSDPACK/LYN/BUBBA,  all have great information.  Will check out Craigs list for used grinder maybe.  Sounds like a good idea as I am sure it becomes a pain in the a- - to grind your own stuff.  My other two dogs do great with the bone.  so just grinding for one girl.  Thx  again;  Nan

Bhaugh:  Thanks for the info on the calcium;  someone said the Bone meal is loaded with flouride;  maybe not the human grade though.  For now I  whacked the necks down to a small pulp or as small as I could get them and she gets boneless chicken thigh meat;  of course that is along with some beef, turkey, pork, yogurt, eggs, and some other stuff.  This is a bitch that LIVES for her food; so when she goes off her food you know you are in trouble.  in 14.5 years old she has only missed a couple of meals, both times very ill one of those times after C-section so.  There you have it.  If she does not eat or even looks like she might not eat I head for the vet.  Or at least know she is in trouble.    Thx  Nan