[Melissaandcrew]

Alright, need more help!! Picked up the first order from the processor(basically told her what ever she could save) and ended up with mish mosh of supplies. She used to toss everything so its going to take a while for her to “build up” a bit of variety.

I got(approx.) 12 lbs beef heart, waaayyy to much beef liver, lol(30lbs) 4 chicken carcasses, 10 lbs beef kidney, and a bag of misc beef/vension-about 15 lbs. I then got two bags full of pork heart and kidney(did not weigh it yet as I know it needs to be frozenfor 3 weeks). Total of products(and some recreational bone for bigger dogs) about 100lbs.

As you can see, I sm sorely lacking in the RMB category(no chicken necks). The recipe I am going to make(from the book) is the on Sandy mentioned. Amongst other things, it alls for 5.25 lb chicken neck, 3.25 boneless. I know someone mentioned “frankenprey”, o here is my question.

I am willing to do mix protein batches until I get enough supplies, but want to buy the minimum from market that I have to. I am assuming I can use the carcasses in place of the necks for a batch or two, and then thinking I can use chicken leg quarters for a few more batches with the heart and venison/beef boneless. Will this provide the proper bone in and boneless requirements? I am just going by what I googled, that quarters are RMB and assuming I can interchange those and necks..help!

[Melissaandcrew]

Supracaudal Gland hyperplasia is typically an infected gland in the tail-but normally I have seen/heard of it being apparent at the base of the tail where it connects to the body. Google it, and you should be able to read up on it, causes/treatments.

[Melissaandcrew]

Just wanted to throw this out there for others who might be wanting a reasonable grinder. I got the Tasan TS 108 from One stop jerky for $150 plus shipping. Since my books are not here yet, and I was dying to try it, I ground up a bunch of stuff to use as an unbalanced topper. The grinder had no problems with chicken leg quarters and necks. I did whack the quarters with a cleaver to make them smaller of course. With the medium plate, there was no bone to be felt in the final products, which made me very happy as that was a concern of mine. Grinder did not jam etc either. I m surprised, as I was not expecting it to work this well. Hubby came out and helped which was even more surprising, lol.

[Melissaandcrew]

I have been reading that recently as well, especially pertaining to a raw diet. However, I have never been told to supplement E when using fish oil, when feeding a commercial diet. So, I am not sure if this is the case or not.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Huskymom-

Owning rescues, I have several with bowel issues. The one that is most severe is one of my dober gals. After years of trying every food I could think of, I discovered she did best with a lower fiber diet. She eats commercial raw, Victor grain free ultra pro, and Abady granular. Anything else and we are back to the squirts and weight loss.

[Melissaandcrew]

My old timer eat the same as my young ones-including the one with NO TEETH. I feed a variety, and if your dog is not wanting to chew, just add warm water. My guy with no teeth will chomp up dry better than some of the older ones with teeth, lol.

[Melissaandcrew]

Thanks Patty! I am trying to use as low fat ingredients as I can because of the schnauzers, within reason of course. Great point on the double wrapping. I will have to look into how to best store everything. the problem I see is the volume I will have to use every day, so trying to figure out how best to store it, taking up the least amount of space.

[Melissaandcrew]

Awesome. And, I love the term Frankenprey, lol. I ama hoping to source the vast majority of ingredients locally, but figure worst case basis, I will get some of the prepackaged type stuff the local boutique pet store carries, or order online. I normally would not order online, but winter time “is a coming” so I will feel better about the shipping.

According to the processor, things are “seasonal”-meaning right now, there is more beef then anything being processed. In the spring/summer months its poultry, and of course pork year round. I am planning on stocking up during each” season”. Since beef heart is a muscle meat, is there a limit on how much I can use? My thought process is to use the chicken/duck necks, and then use the heart ground up as the boneless portion of one of the mixes(it dirt cheap and readily available from what the processor said)

[Melissaandcrew]

Rofl. they would have been less troublesome as dog food then as pets. But, alas, we can not eat or feed a pet to another, no matter what species it is. I would fail as a farmer.

[Melissaandcrew]

Well, I ordered that book and the Sfeve Brown book to start with. I have been unable to locate s source as of yet for bulk rabbit, venison(the other will not be able to provide as much as I would need to do all venison meals) and other unique proteins. So, does any one see a problem with mixing the protein sources? For example, if I used the balanced chicken recipe, is there a reason I could not say add in a balanced premade? For example. 2 ounces home made chicken 2 ounces premade in order to offer more variety? In other words, freeze each recipe separately and at feeding time scoop 2 ounces of eah into the bowl?

Or, for that matter, if the recipe is based on chicken,(referring to the Becker one that is balanced) is there any reason I should not use the 5.25 chicken necks, but substitute the 3.25lbs boneless chicken for say 3.25# rabbit or venison etc? Would this unbalance the initial recipe?

[Melissaandcrew]

Freehold-I had two potbellies- Bacon and Porkchop. They were sweet littleguys, but as Patty said, they did have a temper, lol. However, both learned very quickly to “sit” for cheerios which they loved. They also loved any kind of people food they could get ahold of. The worst part was how LOUD they were when excited. They can “scream” and breathe at the same time, so no worries about the screaming stopping before they were good and ready!

[Melissaandcrew]

Sandy-Which book did you get that first recipe you ever made from? the one that is 5.25 chicken with bone, 3.25 lb boneless? I want to be sure I get recipe books with bone in recipes that can be ground. Thanks!

[Melissaandcrew]

I have to say that I have was surprised when I did a cost analysis. Granted the farm I am going to be buying from is very reasonable-less than a $1 per lb for the items I am looking for. I based my figures on two weeks of Acana/Nutrisource Vs two weeks of homemade raw. I did not figure in supplements as I already buy Fish oil, kefir, yogurt mackerel and sardines and eggs.. I did figure in the canned, Grandma Lucy’s and premade commercial raw that I buy now. I will save for each 15 days between $221 and $277.

Hubby was a “naysayer” in attempting this(too much work, clean up, bacteria etc) but he heard that and he asked if I woud like him to order a new freezer now, or should he wait a month or two? LOL. I have to tell you, I can’t wait to start grinding something..anything..if this doesn’t work out for the dogs, I may have to take up sausage making, lol.

[Melissaandcrew]

Well, I haven’t gotten my books yet, so not sure what is presented in the two books, but since they are supposed to be AAFCO compliant recipes, I am assuming that once I start those, I should be okay. ; ) I do plan on rotating proteins, and still feeding at least partial dry for now, etc etc, so I am just talking about the short term-btw, if I use your recipe that you posted for kelp alfalfa etc, would I also still need a vitamin? I am just looking to avoid buying vitamins etc in bulk until I am sure this is something that is working for the crew.

Love Patty’s coffee grinder idea. I just can’t see myself smashing up 15 doses of vitamins with a mortar/pestal, lol.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hdm-

Thanks! I am going to try the recipe Sandy posted as a starter, so bones etc will be included. I know many say to add a daily multi vitamin/trace mineral, hence I am wondering if the Nupro(or something similar would work) My dogs are “pill pickers” so cutting a human “one a day” type pill will not work. Its got to be mixed in the bowl when I add the oils etc. Would the Nupro suffice as a replacement for the human multivitamin?

And, do you sprout all those seeds you listed or just the pumpkin aand sunflower? We grow pumpkins for fun/decorations and then feed them to the goats-they love them, I can steal some of those seeds, lol.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 6 months ago by Melissaandcrew.

[Melissaandcrew]

Thanks. Its going to take a lot me meat to feed the crew and I would have hated to buy a bunch of forty pound boxes of chicken necks to discover they could not be used.

[Melissaandcrew]

Yes. It was 5.25lbs chicken with bone and then 3.25 lbs boneless (plus everything else) I was just curious if the necks could be ground for the “with bone” portion. They are cheap at the butchers but of no use to me if they can not be used in a ground receipe. I am ordering the two books mentioned and planning on givingIit a whirl even if I only use it ever other day. Right now the crew is msking a mess of my house with natural cut knuckle bones that said low fat. Hoping I don’t regret it with the schnauzers fat issues.

[Melissaandcrew]

Never mind. Duh..on the main page. I was looking on this one for it!

[Melissaandcrew]

okay. Now I must be blind. Where is the search feature?

[Melissaandcrew]

The time of year is one thing that made me start thinking about doing this again. Holiday turkey sales, lol!! I have to be 100 percent sure it will work out for me before I invest in a grinder. I have a tendency of getting “gung ho” about things and then due to work and time constraints stopping whatever it was.

[Melissaandcrew]

Nectaars Mom- I appreciate the offer, but I am going to order some other things from his website as well(books) I am sure some one here could use that offer though!

Pattyvaughn-Yes, that actually the answer I was looking for-its still 2-3% body weight. I wanted to be sure I ordered enough bags. I rarely order online and hate when I misjudge and have to reorder too soon! Thanks. I will probably use it as a topper for now until I read up on making raw, and then go from there. My ultimate goal is to offer raw a few days a week on its own, but the commercial prepared would kill me with the number of dogs.

[Melissaandcrew]

Have a quick question re See spot live longer. Now that winter time is coming to NY, I expect to have more time on my hands, lol, and think I will finally try some premixes and catch up on reading some home made raw diet books. Question is how much to order..Can any one tell me what the recc feeding guidelines are? I mean after mixed with the one lb of meat, how much am I feeding each dog? Please and thank you: )

[Melissaandcrew]

I just logged in with old password with no problem.

[Melissaandcrew]

HI Dexter-

While its true that many people have had issues as of late with BB, if your dogs diarrhea increases when he is excited(stressed) I have to wonder if its not a mild form of stress colitis? I would suggest asking your vet about this as well Many dogs with IBD/Colitis present with mild runs as youngsters and its often not caught until the dogs is older and more damage has been done.

[Melissaandcrew]

If you are concerned that the Orijen may be too high protein for him, try the sisterproduct Acana. Its about 31% versus the Orijen 38% and my Iggys love it :

[Melissaandcrew]

Try clipping the ear flap to allow more circulation. I have had a few recently too and that seemed to help. Its humid here as well!

[Melissaandcrew]

I have never used the oracle but I love the Grandma Lucy Pureformance. The Pureformance line is grain free, and artisan is not(from what I understand) perhaps someone will join in that has used the Oracle.

[Melissaandcrew]

What are you currently feeding and what type of :skin issues” does the one have?

[Melissaandcrew]

What are you currently feeding him?

[Melissaandcrew]

Well you just have your hands full, lol. The overweight one is not an issue. You can control that by upping exercise and decreasing what you are feeding. I would look into trying Abady granular with the two with colitis-it worked wonderful for my girl, but every dog is different of course. Its also VERY high calorie so your one will gain weight on it-I have used it on several rescues to date and not a single one failed to gain, and no one had stomach issues. I have also had great success with victor Grain free Ultra pro for weight gain and colits/IBD, but it is higher fat 22% so you would need to be careful if you have a fat sensitive dog.

[Melissaandcrew]

I have a Doberman with horrible stomach issues. Her culprit seems to be higher fiber and rice. After dealing with it for years(meds, restricted diets etc) her diarrhea and weight loss resolved on Abady granular, Natures Variety raw and Victor Grain free Ultra Pro.

[Melissaandcrew]

Every dog is different. My IBD dog does well on Abady granular and Victor ultra pro grain free. The Abady is high calorie and put the weight back on her quickly.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi there. I have quite a few seniors and none of them get senior food on a regular basis. the one exception isOrijen as its a lower fat level and I can feed it solo if I wish. Other than that, they get a solid quality all life stage food. My crew gets probiotics on occasion and fish oil added, but nothing else(other than various toppers) I personally think the senior formulas as Marie, sandy and Patty said are too low in protein for older dogs. I stick with approx. 30-33 percent in the kibble

[Melissaandcrew]

One food that my extremelly picky mill rescue Iggy loved right away was Hi Tek. Both grainfree and grain inclusive. Its also very reasonable in pricing.

[Melissaandcrew]

Interesting that it stopped with a food change. I have always seen in in small or toy breeds with a collapsing trachea issue. Hence wht harnesses are recc for them.

[Melissaandcrew]

I had good luck with fromm large breed puppy (grain inclusive) with half Natures Variety rabbit. Mixed half/half for my bulldog.

[Melissaandcrew]

I use Victor ultra pro for my colitis girl. I could not find any foods st Petsmart that worked for her

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi there-

I have used the Victor AlS grain free and the Ultra Pro, as well as one of the grain inclusives. By far, I prefer the Ultra pro.I feed it to my high energy/drive Dobermans and its one of the best foods I have found to keep weight on them, as well as the lower fiber content has stopped my one dobergals IBS/Colitis.

The rest of my crew eats a lot of the Champion products, both Orijen and Acana and never a problem for them. Nutrisource is another fav of mine to use in the rotation, as well as Fromm from time to time and several others.

[Melissaandcrew]

Some breeds are prone to dry cracked noses such as eng bulldogs and its considered normal while in other breeds it can be the sign of an issue..in my schnauzer it was a sign of lupus. Both had vasoline rubbed in to alleviate/prevent the issue.

[Melissaandcrew]

Chicken ramon noodles.
.yum….

[Melissaandcrew]

Your heartworm tab has three dewormers in it already.

[Melissaandcrew]

Let us know how it goes… I want to try ma king a few ground meals to try as well to offer more variety to my crew… (found my pw for the forums..yay me!)

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi there-

First, we all have budgets- some are bigger, some smaller, lol. Find a few foods that you like, google and see who sells them in your area. If you feed higher volumes, look for ones that offer frequent buyer programs and figure the freebie into your actual cost per bag. You would be surprised how that lowers the overall cost of a food that perhaps you thought was out of the budget range. Petsmart/Petco do not participate with these programs. See if Hi Tek is sold in your area-they have aa GF version and a buyer program, and the food is reasonable to begin with.

[Melissaandcrew]

Nectar mom-

First, if a food was causing an issue to the point that I had to give all 4 pepcid, I would not be using that food. Unfortunately, as you know, each dog is different, so it can be trial and error until you find one that works for all problems that a given dog may have-some do better on grain free, some do better on grain inclusive or raw etc. Several of my dogs do not do well if the kibble protein goes over 33 or so percent. Why, I have no idea as they do fine with raw/canned etc that exceed that amount.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi dolphina-

It may be a bit of hit or miss until you find the right one that works for your dog. Buy small bags until you are sure its the “hit” for yours. You can see if Dave’s is sold by you-they have varieties(senstive line) that many people in my area have told me worked well for their dog(it did not work for mine-) Its also reasonably priced, and they have a canned offering as well.

[Melissaandcrew]

HI doberdog-

It really depends on the dog. My crew eats a variety of foods, and right now the dobers are eating Victor Ultra Pro-grain free and doing well on it so far. I will wait another week or two before deciding how well as they slow transition. They have eaten many foods in the past, and typically seemed to do better with a grain inclusive.

[Melissaandcrew]

I would isolate the dogs overnight(different rooms) to determine which one is doing the house wetting overnight-My concern is the fact that you are stating the urine is clear, which means the dog does not appear to be concentrating the urine properly and could signify a kidney issue. Take the “offending” dog to the vet once you discover which it is, and have a full chem panel and ua done.

My dogs do not eat 100 percent raw-their meals are varied, but NONE of them urinate excessively when they do get it, nor do they urinate clear.

[Melissaandcrew]

Sorry-nothing productive to add except that your comment Patty, cracked me up : )

gebo- I am one of the few that will feed a corn containing product from time to time as part of my rotation. Not that I believe its GOOD for them, but I also do not believe that its the end of the world for a small portion of their diet. I believe in hedging my bets on the current schools of thought to dog feeding. Could one version be better factually(not opinion) then another? Sure-but I do not feel that any methods provide enough definitive proof for me to subscribe to just one. Therefore, I feed grain free, grain inclusive, one that contains corn(from time to time-Pro Pac) raw, dehydrated, fresh, canned, home made etc. While not every one will agree on what method is best, understand that the majority of the regular posters have researched their choosen way/method and do not follow along blindly.

[Melissaandcrew]

HI there-

Some reasonably priced decent grain frees that I have found are Victor($40-43) Nutrisource($44-49), Grandma Mae’s country naturals($49), Hitek Naturals(44-45) . I am probably forgetting a bunch of others though..

[Melissaandcrew]

sheltiesmom-

The problem with a tattoo is that its pretty hard to keep updating it if you move, change phone numbers etc : )

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