RAW Question :)

[Ellee's Mama]

Hello All..

I used to feed my great danes raw when I was in Fl now being in Ky I have looked for places in my area because Ellee has been getting skin issues and I am pretty sure it is from her diet. I was very pleased with the way my danes did on raw. Their main diet was chicken back and neck and turkey necks with rmbs and organ meat... I did do a few fish suppers and egg sweet potatoes stuff like that. I was hoping raw feeders could tell me a sample week menu of what yall feed your mastiffs.

Thanks Sharon

 

[angelbears]

A lot is going to be what is available and at what price in your area. I don't know why but I try to keep at least 4 different meats in their diet. We feed chicken, pork, turkey, beef, duck, a little venison, a little fish( they don't like it.) I can go into more detail if you like but right now I have to feed the beast. They get grumpy if it is much after 3:00pm. Chicken quarters for this afternoon.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Well, it depends ALOT on what I can get this week.

Apollo's a 20month old TM, with an estimated adult weight of 135lbs (though I'm starting to think he might go over that...). 3% of that is about 4lbs which is what I use as my starting point for feeding him. Of that 4lbs a bit less than 1/2lb should be organs and another bit less than 1/2lb should be bone, the rest meat.

In actuality he tends towards about 3lbs a day unless he's got a growth spurt coming or has been extra active, but thats typical for the breed and I adjust accordingly.

Right now the majority of the bone is pork necks with some goat thrown in for variety. I'll also do chicken & turkey thighs/legs/necks/backs, ribs (beef and pork) if I can get them on sale.

Organs vary, we just finished up a package of buffalo liver and kidney that I got locally, donno how much I'll buy them cause they're not the cheapest ever, but the dogs loved it. I usually buy a ground organ blend from here for the majority of their organ diet as organs other than beef liver can be a bit hard to source for me.

Meat, pretty much whatever I can get. Pork, beef, poultry....not much venison but when I can get it they love it, same for duck and rabbit. They refuse fish so I supplement with fish oil a couple times a week.

Apollo ADORES macintosh apples (has to be macs though or he won't touch them), so a couple times a week when they're in season I'll cut up one into chunks and mix it with some yogurt for him, but its more of a snack than really part of his diet.

He gets chicken feet several times a week. Both as a treat and as a joint supplement.

For suppliers, look for meat/food wholesalers in your area, many will sell to the private consumer no problem and that way you get wholesale prices on all sorts of things. The link above is to a lady in PA who sells all sorts of meats for raw animal food. You can also try here, for a Yahoo group for raw carnivore food suppliers. Advertise on your local craigslist that you'll take freezerburnt stuff. People are always delighted that its not going to waste and the dogs don't care how long its been in the freezer. Asian and other ethnic markets are always a good place for all sorts of odds and ends.

 

[Ellee's Mama]

Thank you for this info...
I can get chicken backs and necks 40# 15.50 each. Hubby will soon start hunting so that will be a plus him and his friends hunt deer turkey, duck, and who knows what else lol. I have a lady who sells buffalo bones for 1.00 lb (idk if thats good price or not) I will look for the pork necks.. the danes liked them too.

Now I remember the breeders would say to introduce a meat at a time. Is that how ya'll started. it was like I fed just backs and necks for the first month and then introduced organs and a different meat like turkey.. its been a few years now so I just want to make sure

 

[angelbears]

You are already a pro. That is how to start. I would be careful with Buffalo bones. Stay away from weight barring bones.

 

[ruthcatrin]

buffalo bones can be really hard, I'd stay away from weight bearing bones like Angel said, they're REALLY hard and are more likely to damage teeth (I'd get them for my little guy to chew on, but Apollo would try to chomp the whole bone...). I DID get some buffalo neck peices for Apollo to chew on, and they're slow going they're so hard. Ribs would probly be ok if you can get them....

And yup, necks and backs with some extra meat to make up the difference till they have nice solid poo (some dogs transition quick, some don't), then you can add in extra meats and organs.

 

[musicdeb]

Ditto to what angelbears and ruthcatrin said. Titan eats chicken legs, chicken leg quarters, chicken gizzards, chicken livers, turkey necks, turkey drumsticks, steaks, pigs feet, beef heart and salmon once a week. I will be adding beef kidney and chicken feet to his diet. I add fish oil and olive oil to his food every day.

 

[Ellee's Mama]

Thanks ya'll
I put an order in for backs and necks for friday.