Washingtonians

[Farmin Momma]

[COLOR=0000CD]I have been thinking about switching my boys over to a raw diet, but I have a great dane and a mastiff. I think it would be to expencive, also I would have no idea how to go about it.[/COLOR]

Well, since we grow most of our own meat (ducks, chickens rabbits and goats) when MGSU slaughters, I save a lot of what would go into the trash and feed it to her. Her most favourite right now is chicken feet and heads. (You could go half raw and half dog food to try it)

She also gets (cheap) chicken thighs from the market when they are on sale. She gets, rabbit backbones, heads, all the livers, lungs hearts and kidneys from all the animals, plus goat spines and other parts, and if there are other offers at the meat market, I just buy it and put it in the freezer. I don't even thaw it out for her. Just pull out a pack (glad sandwich wrapped) peel it and toss onto the ground. (She even thinks ice cubes are food now )

She does get a small bowl of kibble for sensitive dogs (she has a skin allergy) for breakfast, so that she gets the added vitamins.

Since there are a lot of meat markets round here, we often get cheap bone with meat on them from them after butcher day. I haven't found it much more expensive than dog food, and it's totally good for her.

Oh, and as I raise chickens, she also gets eggs (must be cooked though) every day. There's a lot of info on the web - check it out, so much better for the dogs.

A friend of mine who feeds raw also offers to help clean out people's freezers for them. Freezer burnt meat isn't so exciting for people but it still works great for dogs. She also strikes deals with hunters, and with local butchers. I've seen on Craigslist, massive cases of feet or other parts being offered super cheap.

I thought that the bones and beaks would be bad For them?! When it comes to that kind of stuff I need to be walked through exactly what to give them and how. Because I am a bit paranoid about doing it wrong and making my dog sick.

 

[lovinchickypoos]

I thought that the bones and beaks would be bad For them?! When it comes to that kind of stuff I need to be walked through exactly what to give them and how. Because I am a bit paranoid about doing it wrong and making my dog sick.

Do LOTS of research!!!!! I worked at a vet clinic for years and we had to treat quite a few obstructions due to large or sharp pieces of bones, including my brother's dog. They can also have problems with pancreatitis with some types of "people food", which is why I rarely give any scraps to mine. Pork also seems to trigger this. I will NEVER tell any one to stay away from raw food, BARF, grain-free, etc., but you really need to research, talk to your vet, or reputable breeders if you can so you can make an informed decision. I think it's wonderful that their dogs are doing great on the raw meats! I can understand the theory! I do know that there is a right and wrong way of doing it, though. I have never tried it so I can't say from my own experience, but I have seen results of doing it the wrong way. Just remember dogs have been removed from wolves for a long time and are different creatures! This subject is possibly the most controversial subject you see in a veterinary office!!!

 

[Totalcolour]

I thought that the bones and beaks would be bad For them?! When it comes to that kind of stuff I need to be walked through exactly what to give them and how. Because I am a bit paranoid about doing it wrong and making my dog sick.

Bones and beaks and stuff are a big NO-NO for dogs, if they are COOKED! If you think about it, wild dogs (wolves, coyotes and other canids) don't sit down and b-b-q their kills.

When we did it for out dog, we took it slowly, so she could get used to the raw diet. Just adding more raw each day, and lessening the kibbles.

You need to base the meat and bones on the size of the dog. The bigger the dog, the bigger the bones they can handle. A little wiener dog could probably only manage a chicken wing, while mine can eat a half duck or a big pork chop. You need to watch out for "gulpers". If your dog doesn't chew well, the bones/meat should be cut up so he doesn't swallow it all in one go.

Pork, lamb, chicken, goat, duck, goose, rabbit are all good. Don't give dogs those huge weight bearing bones you can get at the butcher - even though they sell them for dogs, they can break their teeth!

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

Opened this in front of the supervisor at our local PO. It was clear that the two eggs on the more smashed-in corner of the box were shattered and oozed all over. The box smelled pretty bad from the outside and awful from the inside. That reinforces my resolve to pack eggs in a box and put that box in a larger box like I've done before. Not even foam will keep a blow or sufficient strength from breaking eggs.

I learned some interesting facts from the PO supervisor:

--machines do most of a package's movement from point to point, and, since machines can't read, the markings on the outside are of little consequence

--marking something "live hatching eggs" will give it more notice and maybe even special handling (from the humans who will supersede the machines

I will hope that the remaining eggs won't be scrambled, but, in my past experience, that is usually the case.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

LOL thanks Guess I'm just so new still that I didn't realize silkies were such good mamas! I might have to get me one now, I REALLY want a broody in the springtime

They are ONE of the best broody's. Mine spends more time broody than not.

 

[SadieSue]

Opened this in front of the supervisor at our local PO. It was clear that the two eggs on the more smashed-in corner of the box were shattered and oozed all over. The box smelled pretty bad from the outside and awful from the inside. That reinforces my resolve to pack eggs in a box and put that box in a larger box like I've done before. Not even foam will keep a blow or sufficient strength from breaking eggs.

I learned some interesting facts from the PO supervisor:

--machines do most of a package's movement from point to point, and, since machines can't read, the markings on the outside are of little consequence

--marking something "live hatching eggs" will give it more notice and maybe even special handling (from the humans who will supersede the machines

I will hope that the remaining eggs won't be scrambled, but, in my past experience, that is usually the case.

Well that is just really terribly disappointing. I know you were looking forward to those eggs! (These were your imported English, correct?)

But why would marking "live hatching eggs" be any different than the "fragile - handle with care" that was clearly marked on this particular box? I'm afraid it wouldn't have made any difference in this case.

Hope you still get some to hatch.

 

[Totalcolour]

Do LOTS of research!!!!! I worked at a vet clinic for years and we had to treat quite a few obstructions due to large or sharp pieces of bones, including my brother's dog. They can also have problems with pancreatitis with some types of "people food", which is why I rarely give any scraps to mine. Pork also seems to trigger this. I will NEVER tell any one to stay away from raw food, BARF, grain-free, etc., but you really need to research, talk to your vet, or reputable breeders if you can so you can make an informed decision. I think it's wonderful that their dogs are doing great on the raw meats! I can understand the theory! I do know that there is a right and wrong way of doing it, though. I have never tried it so I can't say from my own experience, but I have seen results of doing it the wrong way. Just remember dogs have been removed from wolves for a long time and are different creatures! This subject is possibly the most controversial subject you see in a veterinary office!!!

Yup, gotta do the research. And yes, it's very controversial. I watch my dog like a hawk when she eats, to make sure she doesn't gulp it down, and also watch when she poops to make sure her digestive system is working properly.

Actually, it would take a lot longer than it's been since dogs were domesticated for them to be "different" creatures. While they have been bred for characteristics like looks, size, temperament etc, the digestive system is not hugely different from their wild ancestors.

But you do have to watch out for certain type of bones. And for gulpers. But then, there are hundreds dogs that eat non-edibles, that have to go to the vet each year to have things removed. Like car keys, batteries, forks, flashlights etc.

And, processed food has all sorts of stuff added to make it palatable, and to add BACK the nutrients that were LOST during PROCESSING.

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

Well that is just really terribly disappointing. I know you were looking forward to those eggs! (These were your imported English, correct?)

But why would marking "live hatching eggs" be any different than the "fragile - handle with care" that was clearly marked on this particular box? I'm afraid it wouldn't have made any difference in this case.

Hope you still get some to hatch.

These were almost 100% English, yes. So it's not a completely terrible loss, but a loss nonetheless.

The supervisor said by putting something about "live" and/or "eggs" on there, the people handling the box would be more likely to give it special handling than just lumping it in with the other boxes, marked fragile or not, that go to the machines. If they knew WHY it was fragile, there was more of a chance they'd do something special for it. Otherwise, no, there's no writing that would make much of a difference.

Yeah, I sure hope some hatch. They would be real miracle babies!

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

OK PREPARE yee self cause I can't contain mee self.
See since the weather was so nice DW took Pierre out to enjoy the sun.


And since I had the camera out. I may as well take a few more. Here are the new Bantam Fav's

Here is Sambo My Bantam Ameracauna. He is living on borrowed time.

Fudge and his ladies. He's looking a little rough right now seems to be moulting.


And now for a little week old cuteness!

Great pics!! LOVE seeing the Fudge man!!!

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Hello everyone. I mostly lurk on this thread.

Chicken Rustler it looks like you have birds from Cloverleaf. I have a few Favs. from her. I have one of Fudge's sons. This is Truffle and he is just a sweetie.

He is always trying to romance the ladies. He will be going to my moms who is planning on breeding Favs. Unfortunately my Favs have not been able to get along with my other birds. I am happy to see Fudge has girls of his own.

WOW! He turned out awesome!!!!