Today I worked hard.
I moved our woodpile that was scattered around our shed into one long row under our hedge. Keeps all our wood together and it's nicely piled hopefully into piles that won't fall over. (really really hope they won't fall over).
Anyways, I'm not a professional woodstacker. :)
Well, in my removing and stacking of wood, I discovered a nest of wee field mice. Knowing mice as I do, I know that a wild field mouse WON'T come back to a rather badly disturbed nest so I removed the babies to discover that they are about the same age as my wee ones upstairs.
Thus began a quick on-line search. How does one care for wee babies about two weeks old. I learned hey...put them with a nursing momma...and 8 times out of ten she'll care for them alongside her own (as long as she's not too badly outnumbered). And since Aunty mouse appears to be nursing the babies as well.....
Being a somewhat kind-hearted individual I am hoping that my two girlies will foster these babies. We'll have to wait and see. I really hope they'll be fine.. they just have to survive one week and then eyes will be open, they'll be co-ordinated and they'll be eating grains and apples and such like. AND then.......
Then I can raise them to be big enough to be well um, be eaten by the dogs! (yes, I'm nasty) :) What can I say.. they are WILD mice. They are indeed as my hubbie would say.. VERMIN! And well... one does not encourage vermin to stick around does one?
Anyways, that's my story of the day. :)
Showing posts with label raw feeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label raw feeding. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Where to source out meat for feeding dogs
Feeding a raw food diet - BARF style or Whole Animal style, requires the finding of meat to feed one's dogs. One likes to do so as inexpensively as possible.
If I am smart and careful and get free meat I can feed our dogs for three months on $60.oo. Pretty good I think, and cheaper than doing mid-range kibble.
A lady (Lis) from one of the rawfeeding yahoo groups came up with this list.
Try some of these cost cutting sources:
1) look up meat and poultry packers and processors in the yellow pages.
2) I get many of my best deals in Asian/Oriental markets. I've also heard that Hispanic and Caribbean markets have great variety and prices too.
3) you may be able to join a barter group
4) google breeders (i.e. rabbit, goat, lamb, etc.) who are in your geographic area
5) look up bulk suppliers and frozen bulk foods in your yellow pages
6) if you have a Chinatown nearby, definitely make a visit
7) let your friends, relatives, and neighbors know you want any freezer burn or old meat when they clean out their freezers, and tell them to pass the word along
8) if you belong to a church or social group, tell those members to mention it to their friends and relatives as well
9) see if there are any co-ops or buying groups around
10) try Craigslist - it's amazing what you can get for free or cheap
11) and I get meat and fish all the time (for free) through Freecycle
12) some Wal-marts and some Costcos and some Sams Clubs have good deals, but you'll probably want to make sure it's not seasoned meat
13) definitely watch the the flyers, and you can usually see the rest of the flyers online (the ones that don't get delivered to your house, but are only a short drive away)
14) *** hands down, the bulk of my best deals have been marked down meat at regular grocery stores. They reduce it the day before it is going to expire, and I go as early as I can to get it before it is gone.
15) tell friends and relatives who hunt and fish that you want first dibs on any body parts they don't want
16) a great tip I learned here a couple of weeks ago - some restaurants throw out things they don't use, like the organs that come inside whole poultry. see if they'll save them for you.
17) farmer's markets are great, but pick and choose carefully for the best bargains
18) some people contact taxidermists, who don't need the meat
19) find people on this list from your vicinity, and ask them where they get their meat deals
If I am smart and careful and get free meat I can feed our dogs for three months on $60.oo. Pretty good I think, and cheaper than doing mid-range kibble.
A lady (Lis) from one of the rawfeeding yahoo groups came up with this list.
Try some of these cost cutting sources:
1) look up meat and poultry packers and processors in the yellow pages.
2) I get many of my best deals in Asian/Oriental markets. I've also heard that Hispanic and Caribbean markets have great variety and prices too.
3) you may be able to join a barter group
4) google breeders (i.e. rabbit, goat, lamb, etc.) who are in your geographic area
5) look up bulk suppliers and frozen bulk foods in your yellow pages
6) if you have a Chinatown nearby, definitely make a visit
7) let your friends, relatives, and neighbors know you want any freezer burn or old meat when they clean out their freezers, and tell them to pass the word along
8) if you belong to a church or social group, tell those members to mention it to their friends and relatives as well
9) see if there are any co-ops or buying groups around
10) try Craigslist - it's amazing what you can get for free or cheap
11) and I get meat and fish all the time (for free) through Freecycle
12) some Wal-marts and some Costcos and some Sams Clubs have good deals, but you'll probably want to make sure it's not seasoned meat
13) definitely watch the the flyers, and you can usually see the rest of the flyers online (the ones that don't get delivered to your house, but are only a short drive away)
14) *** hands down, the bulk of my best deals have been marked down meat at regular grocery stores. They reduce it the day before it is going to expire, and I go as early as I can to get it before it is gone.
15) tell friends and relatives who hunt and fish that you want first dibs on any body parts they don't want
16) a great tip I learned here a couple of weeks ago - some restaurants throw out things they don't use, like the organs that come inside whole poultry. see if they'll save them for you.
17) farmer's markets are great, but pick and choose carefully for the best bargains
18) some people contact taxidermists, who don't need the meat
19) find people on this list from your vicinity, and ask them where they get their meat deals
Monday, March 05, 2007
Contemplating Switching your dogs diet?
I've had a few people mention to me that they are considering switching their dog from a "dog food" diet to a "more natural" diet. :)
One of the yahoo groups that I am on pointed me to this resource.
US Raw Meaty Bones. This is a site that follows the Lonsdale approach to feeding, which is meat and bones only. No veggies and no leftovers, just meat and bones. It's not a bad way to feed. I add leftovers and veggies to my dog food simply because 1. makes it cheaper for me. 2. I can't abide wasting all the leftovers my son leaves behind. 3. my dogs (well at least one of them) will dig carrots out of the garden, and picks raspberries, I figure if she wants them, I'll give them to her in an easier to digest format! :) But many dogs will benefit from a straight meat and bones diet AND you know it's better for them in the long run.
Anyways, this site is VERY United States based. It's a US group so that makes sense. BUT it comes with a handy "Work Wonders" guide. This PDF guide lists the benefits of raw feeding, how to get started, gives sample menus and such like. It's a good resource. SO if you are thinking of making a switch, please check it out.
On that note: a couple of people have mentioned that feeding bone alarms them. Um... it shouldn't. Dogs have teeth, they have powerful jaws, they can handle bone...as long as the bone you give them is reasonable for the size of the dog. Don't go feeding huge weight bearing bones to any dog (they can damage their teeth) but a big dog can handle ribs, a small dog can handle chicken wings. IF you are really concerned about bones, grind them up! Grinders can be purchased relatively easily, OR you can buy pre-ground food. Note that this latter option is not as cost-effective for you, but it will go a long way to easing one's mind if bones are a concern for you. My best advice is to start easy...pick something that is easy for the dogs to eat. If you have a largish dog go for pork ribs. They tend to soft with just a few harder areas. OR do chicken legs or necks. For small dogs...start with whole chicken wings, or a chicken neck.
On another note. A guy in Belgium did a study. Those who feed a more natural diet find that their dogs live longer. You can read the synopsis of his report here. (it is also in PDF format) It can make a different of almost 2 years if I remember correctly.
One of the yahoo groups that I am on pointed me to this resource.
US Raw Meaty Bones. This is a site that follows the Lonsdale approach to feeding, which is meat and bones only. No veggies and no leftovers, just meat and bones. It's not a bad way to feed. I add leftovers and veggies to my dog food simply because 1. makes it cheaper for me. 2. I can't abide wasting all the leftovers my son leaves behind. 3. my dogs (well at least one of them) will dig carrots out of the garden, and picks raspberries, I figure if she wants them, I'll give them to her in an easier to digest format! :) But many dogs will benefit from a straight meat and bones diet AND you know it's better for them in the long run.
Anyways, this site is VERY United States based. It's a US group so that makes sense. BUT it comes with a handy "Work Wonders" guide. This PDF guide lists the benefits of raw feeding, how to get started, gives sample menus and such like. It's a good resource. SO if you are thinking of making a switch, please check it out.
On that note: a couple of people have mentioned that feeding bone alarms them. Um... it shouldn't. Dogs have teeth, they have powerful jaws, they can handle bone...as long as the bone you give them is reasonable for the size of the dog. Don't go feeding huge weight bearing bones to any dog (they can damage their teeth) but a big dog can handle ribs, a small dog can handle chicken wings. IF you are really concerned about bones, grind them up! Grinders can be purchased relatively easily, OR you can buy pre-ground food. Note that this latter option is not as cost-effective for you, but it will go a long way to easing one's mind if bones are a concern for you. My best advice is to start easy...pick something that is easy for the dogs to eat. If you have a largish dog go for pork ribs. They tend to soft with just a few harder areas. OR do chicken legs or necks. For small dogs...start with whole chicken wings, or a chicken neck.
On another note. A guy in Belgium did a study. Those who feed a more natural diet find that their dogs live longer. You can read the synopsis of his report here. (it is also in PDF format) It can make a different of almost 2 years if I remember correctly.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Dog Diets - Raw Feeding or BARF
As you know, we feed our dogs a raw food diet.
In the past three weeks I joined a couple of new raw feeding groups from yahoo.
These are the groups I am member of:
Advanced BARF This is a group for people used to feeding raw. Gets away from always having to answer newbie questions. Very business oriented, moderator is strict about what is allowed for discussion.
BARF-lite this is a group that basically says, feed your dogs raw. However you work it out, fine. Most on this group feed a variety of foods, muscles, organs, veggies, leftovers, bone etc. For the most part I'd call this group easy going, but very chatty about non-essentials.
RawDogCanada, now I'm not exactly sure which way this group leans yet, as it is not high numbers. Members seem fairly respectful to each other and new members.
rawfeeding, this group is somewhat more vocal and fervent in proclaiming what they believe is the best way to feed. Raw, whole foods only. I can understand their rationale, but I'm not keen on their fervency and sometimes the attitude protrayed. :)
I have to admit, I find it fascinating watching the interplay on these groups. I try NOT to get caught up in it at all. I'm more of a lurker than anything else.
My general attitude toward raw feeding is...do what makes sense to you as long as you can afford it.
I don't go out and purchase the most expensive cuts of meat. If I can find a deal, I find a deal. I don't go searching for rabbit meat or ostrich meat or whatever. I use the local stores and local butchers. We do chicken, pork and beef. That's fair good I think. Now if I could get other meats cheaply...guess what...I'd do other meats. But not for $11.00/lb! Heck, I won't go over $1.49/lb and perhaps to some that means I don't care enough for my dogs, but to me it means, I care for them, and I want the best for them, but they are dogs. Most dogs just get kibble and that's it. (not that kibble feeders don't care for their dogs) Just want to make the perfectly clear! :) I just put the needs of my human family first.
We don't do the whole prey model because even though it makes sense, I just can't see it being affordable unless we lived on a farm somewhere. We don't. I don't see it happening in the near future.
I have a son, we have LOTS of leftovers. So guess who gets them? Yup... the dogs. :) So we have less waste, less garbage, and less smells. We even managed to score a free freezer. How much better can you get? :)
I have to admit, it does make a bit more work for me. Usually every 17 days or so I"m making up a new batch of food for the dogs. Usually takes me an hour to do up 17 days worth of food (that's if I have meat portioned out already). Although many raw feeders don't do this, I choose to, as it make it so much easier in the long run. All I have to do is grab two bags out of the freezer and the dogs have a complete meal.
I have discovered there are two big "camps" in the rawfood market. Billinghurst and Lonsdale. I've read neither of their books. Don't think I ever will either, simply because I have other stuff to read. There is also oodles of discussion over whether supplements are needed or not. I have no opinion on the matter other than to say, if your dogs are eating a balanced diet (of Raw meaty bones, organs meat and muscle), what's the point? If they need fish oil....feed them a fish!
But for interested parties, where do you go for information if you are just looking around?
Here are some sites that I have read, you will need to formulate your own conclusions about it all. You will notice that different people follow different feeding protocols. They usually do this based on THEIR experiences with THEIR dogs. you will need to do the same. Some dogs need bone with every meal (our Riley is one of them), some dogs will eat whatever you give them (Sassy is now like this). Some dogs can't handle certain meats, others certain veggies, some can't do grain products at all. YOU need to figure out what works for YOUR dog. Don't expect someone else's recipe to be the end all and be all for your dog.
RawDogFood Ranch.
BARF Adult Menu.
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet.
BARF menu.
Canine Nutrition. Note: if you don't like the site of a dog eating rabbit, don't go here.
Raw Feeding Fact Sheet.
Feeding Guidelines From Fresh Start.
A book called Raw Meaty Bones.
Jane Anderson's site.
Shirley's Wellness Cafe.
Healthy Paws.
There are lots more out there. If you are interested, check them out.
Why do we do it?
Primarily because as Christians we have an obligation to care for this world in the best way we can. By feeding the way we do, we have less waste, we use our finances better, we have animals that do better all around and it seems a more natural way to do things.
Riley was getting too old too fast. He now plays again. Even follows us upstairs! This is cool. It took him, what seemed to me, a long time to adjust and remains sensitive to changes in his diet. But overall, he's doing really really well.
Sassy had some attitude problems and didn't like to eat. She now eats anything we give her, and is not quite so pushy with other dogs. Even plays more often with dogs she knows. Getting her onto the diet was a challenge.
Challenges we faced:
1. switching Riley over - diarrhea, gulping, loose stools, shedding coat, but mostly...diarrhea. NOT fun. he was banned from camping with us because of one REALLY bad incident. Added beer to his diet which helped, as did switching the ratios we were feeding. Had been feeding a bit too high in organ meats, and needed to add bone/egg shell to every meal. Riley needs this.
2. getting Sassy to eat. she acted like we were trying to poison her. Needed to sear her meat lightly at first. That got her started, eventually she ate what was given as is. will now eat it if it's frozen, but prefers it not frozen.
3. speed demon for Riley. Gulped food down as fast as possible without chewing. Resulted in some scary moments, and some less than positive bowel movements. Solution - he gets everything frozen, no exceptions. Still gulps what he can, but it's harder to do that when it's frozen.
4. Sassy was a slow poke in eating. Solution - tied the dogs up so Riley couldn't steal her portion as she would eat slowly, take a break, guard her food from yellow jackets, and Riley would dive in for the "kill". Not a good scene. Tying worked wonders, then she sped up, no need to tie out any longer.
Will the future hold more challenges? Possibly. Sassy has taken to eating as fast as she can, WHILE chewing carefully. BUT when she's done, she'll follow Riley around the yard. She'll stare, he'll move off with his food, she cleans up the mess behind and then stares at him again... and the cycle continues until he is done. Right now we laugh about it, but if it gets to be problematic, we'll address it.
In the past three weeks I joined a couple of new raw feeding groups from yahoo.
These are the groups I am member of:
Advanced BARF This is a group for people used to feeding raw. Gets away from always having to answer newbie questions. Very business oriented, moderator is strict about what is allowed for discussion.
BARF-lite this is a group that basically says, feed your dogs raw. However you work it out, fine. Most on this group feed a variety of foods, muscles, organs, veggies, leftovers, bone etc. For the most part I'd call this group easy going, but very chatty about non-essentials.
RawDogCanada, now I'm not exactly sure which way this group leans yet, as it is not high numbers. Members seem fairly respectful to each other and new members.
rawfeeding, this group is somewhat more vocal and fervent in proclaiming what they believe is the best way to feed. Raw, whole foods only. I can understand their rationale, but I'm not keen on their fervency and sometimes the attitude protrayed. :)
I have to admit, I find it fascinating watching the interplay on these groups. I try NOT to get caught up in it at all. I'm more of a lurker than anything else.
My general attitude toward raw feeding is...do what makes sense to you as long as you can afford it.
I don't go out and purchase the most expensive cuts of meat. If I can find a deal, I find a deal. I don't go searching for rabbit meat or ostrich meat or whatever. I use the local stores and local butchers. We do chicken, pork and beef. That's fair good I think. Now if I could get other meats cheaply...guess what...I'd do other meats. But not for $11.00/lb! Heck, I won't go over $1.49/lb and perhaps to some that means I don't care enough for my dogs, but to me it means, I care for them, and I want the best for them, but they are dogs. Most dogs just get kibble and that's it. (not that kibble feeders don't care for their dogs) Just want to make the perfectly clear! :) I just put the needs of my human family first.
We don't do the whole prey model because even though it makes sense, I just can't see it being affordable unless we lived on a farm somewhere. We don't. I don't see it happening in the near future.
I have a son, we have LOTS of leftovers. So guess who gets them? Yup... the dogs. :) So we have less waste, less garbage, and less smells. We even managed to score a free freezer. How much better can you get? :)
I have to admit, it does make a bit more work for me. Usually every 17 days or so I"m making up a new batch of food for the dogs. Usually takes me an hour to do up 17 days worth of food (that's if I have meat portioned out already). Although many raw feeders don't do this, I choose to, as it make it so much easier in the long run. All I have to do is grab two bags out of the freezer and the dogs have a complete meal.
I have discovered there are two big "camps" in the rawfood market. Billinghurst and Lonsdale. I've read neither of their books. Don't think I ever will either, simply because I have other stuff to read. There is also oodles of discussion over whether supplements are needed or not. I have no opinion on the matter other than to say, if your dogs are eating a balanced diet (of Raw meaty bones, organs meat and muscle), what's the point? If they need fish oil....feed them a fish!
But for interested parties, where do you go for information if you are just looking around?
Here are some sites that I have read, you will need to formulate your own conclusions about it all. You will notice that different people follow different feeding protocols. They usually do this based on THEIR experiences with THEIR dogs. you will need to do the same. Some dogs need bone with every meal (our Riley is one of them), some dogs will eat whatever you give them (Sassy is now like this). Some dogs can't handle certain meats, others certain veggies, some can't do grain products at all. YOU need to figure out what works for YOUR dog. Don't expect someone else's recipe to be the end all and be all for your dog.
RawDogFood Ranch.
BARF Adult Menu.
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet.
BARF menu.
Canine Nutrition. Note: if you don't like the site of a dog eating rabbit, don't go here.
Raw Feeding Fact Sheet.
Feeding Guidelines From Fresh Start.
A book called Raw Meaty Bones.
Jane Anderson's site.
Shirley's Wellness Cafe.
Healthy Paws.
There are lots more out there. If you are interested, check them out.
Why do we do it?
Primarily because as Christians we have an obligation to care for this world in the best way we can. By feeding the way we do, we have less waste, we use our finances better, we have animals that do better all around and it seems a more natural way to do things.
Riley was getting too old too fast. He now plays again. Even follows us upstairs! This is cool. It took him, what seemed to me, a long time to adjust and remains sensitive to changes in his diet. But overall, he's doing really really well.
Sassy had some attitude problems and didn't like to eat. She now eats anything we give her, and is not quite so pushy with other dogs. Even plays more often with dogs she knows. Getting her onto the diet was a challenge.
Challenges we faced:
1. switching Riley over - diarrhea, gulping, loose stools, shedding coat, but mostly...diarrhea. NOT fun. he was banned from camping with us because of one REALLY bad incident. Added beer to his diet which helped, as did switching the ratios we were feeding. Had been feeding a bit too high in organ meats, and needed to add bone/egg shell to every meal. Riley needs this.
2. getting Sassy to eat. she acted like we were trying to poison her. Needed to sear her meat lightly at first. That got her started, eventually she ate what was given as is. will now eat it if it's frozen, but prefers it not frozen.
3. speed demon for Riley. Gulped food down as fast as possible without chewing. Resulted in some scary moments, and some less than positive bowel movements. Solution - he gets everything frozen, no exceptions. Still gulps what he can, but it's harder to do that when it's frozen.
4. Sassy was a slow poke in eating. Solution - tied the dogs up so Riley couldn't steal her portion as she would eat slowly, take a break, guard her food from yellow jackets, and Riley would dive in for the "kill". Not a good scene. Tying worked wonders, then she sped up, no need to tie out any longer.
Will the future hold more challenges? Possibly. Sassy has taken to eating as fast as she can, WHILE chewing carefully. BUT when she's done, she'll follow Riley around the yard. She'll stare, he'll move off with his food, she cleans up the mess behind and then stares at him again... and the cycle continues until he is done. Right now we laugh about it, but if it gets to be problematic, we'll address it.
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