Switching from BARF to the Prey model

[OdinBB]

Hello,
I am in the process of switching my Odin (Boreboel) from the BARF model to the Prey model. I would grind everything together and weigh out 8oz baggies and freeze them. Well I am not only switching from BARF to the Prey model I am also going to try to give them cut meat opposed to ground meat and I am not sure how to break up my batch into smaller portions and need some help. I also need help to ensure I have the right bone to meat ratio, below is the ratio I read to be correct for the Prey model. Does this sound right? :/ Oh and how often should I add chicken feet to his diet? Thank you!

80lbs Boneless skinless chick thighs
8lbs Beef tongue
8lbs Beef tripe
12lbs RMB
6lbs liver
6lbs gizzards or other forms of organ I can find

V/R
Veeda

 

[ruthcatrin]

Your proportions look right

Don't fuss EXACT meal sizes. If you have a 10oz baggie that you feed for breakfast match it up with the 6 or 7 ounce baggie for the next meal, and so on, rather than fussing EXACTLY 8oz in each bag. I usually do things by the pound, or up to 5lbs, depending. And when he's finished off that ziplock I know he's eaten 2lbs of beef or whatever.

Also, if you can, try to leave the skin on the chicken, there's not alot of fat in your recipe otherwise and they do actually NEED fat.

Don't be afraid to substitute turkey and pork for the beef and chicken.

 

[OdinBB]

Your proportions look right

Don't fuss EXACT meal sizes. If you have a 10oz baggie that you feed for breakfast match it up with the 6 or 7 ounce baggie for the next meal, and so on, rather than fussing EXACTLY 8oz in each bag. I usually do things by the pound, or up to 5lbs, depending. And when he's finished off that ziplock I know he's eaten 2lbs of beef or whatever.

Also, if you can, try to leave the skin on the chicken, there's not alot of fat in your recipe otherwise and they do actually NEED fat.

Don't be afraid to substitute turkey and pork for the beef and chicken.

Thank you I really appreciate all of your help...... I know I can be a little annal when it comes to portioning out my dogs food, it's just because I have read books saying that if you don't get the right ratio you could do more harm than good with raw feeding.

I am using turkey necks, chicken necks, and chicken feet for their RMBs. I also have pork neck bones in the freezer but I have not given them any yet. I posted a picture below and I am thinking about buying this supplement for my dogs. Have anyone heard anything about this product whether it be good or bad?

 

[ruthcatrin]

The picture didn't work?

Yah, the ratio's important, but you don't have to have it exact to every meal. Many raw feeders balance over a matter of several days to a week. I mostly try to balance by the day, but if today he's extra hungry and eats extra meat, then tomorrow I'll give him the extra organs and bone for that extra meat

 

[OdinBB]

Yeah that makes sense, I don't feel comfortable with that yet; I am sure I will be able to do that once I am comfortable with feeding raw. I have been feeding raw for about 5 months now and still have a ton to learn that is why I appreciate all of the feedback and advice from you. I put the link below of the supplement I want to add to their diet..... have you heard anything on this product??

Wholistic Pet Organics Canine Complete (for Dogs) - Wholistic Pet Organics - Live Superfoods

Thank you!

 

[ruthcatrin]

You don't want to add extra calcium. As little extra calcium and phos as possible if you're going to supplement, which honestly you don't need to do if he's eating his liver and organs regularly. If you're having trouble getting organs into him maybe one of the powdered organ supplements: Pet G.O. 4 oz. | Natural Gland Organ Concentrate

 

[DennasMom]

I actually put together a spreadsheet for my menu planning... but... I'm an engineer, so I put everything in a spreadsheet.

I use mostly pork and lamb ribs for bone-in cuts (I don't call them "RMB", just 'cause that label confuses me... ), they're approx 30% bone.

Once a week, I pull stuff out of the freezer in the proper ratios, so I know I've got all my bases covered. Then, I can feed more "at will" during the week, and not worry about missing something.

I do a lot of meat 'chunks' - they range from 4-8oz a piece, so I can throw in a few and get close to the meal size I want (based on the scale reading).

I also occasionally give Denna a BIG meal - normally because I can't cut a bone-in piece (like a goat leg) into any smaller portions. When she gets a big meal for dinner, she often skips breakfast either that day or the day after, just to balance out the week.

So... lots of room to be flexible, as long as you balance stuff "Over Time" - my Time scale is normally weekly, but I've seen people who balancing things monthly, too.

I'm calculating your ratios as 85% meat, 5% bone and 10% organ (although, gizzards are a muscle, so a meat...other organs would be kidney, spleen, thyroid/sweetbreads, brain, and variety is good if you can find it).

If poops are solid, you're doing well. If poops are a little soft, you can up your bone a bit. I was basing that on the necks and backs being 50% bone... but that can vary some.

 

[OdinBB]

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate all of the information and suggestions!