Butcher has given me two pork hocks for doggies, they look rather big bones, are they OK to feed?

I honestly don't know, but have been advised on the Britbarf forum never to feed "weight bearing" bones and the hock is from the leg therefore must be weight bearing.

Sorry I can't help you with this one, but if it was me I'd have the hocks in the soup pot!

Agree with fifer these are weight bearing bones and anything above the knee, hock is going to be pretty dense, I'd let them eat around the bone and then remove......if you dare General rule is any bone thicker than 1" avoid, I rarely let mine have anything over half an inch and don't forget the bone is just a very small part of the meal, aim for meaty! Pigs trotters are okay as they are from the knee, hock down and the bones in them are quite small and rounded.

Sandy

There is plenty of meat on them and although I could quite easily take a bone from them part way through I think I'll try and strip the meat off myself and give it to them separate.

I'm really struggling at the moment though Raw feeding is costing me an absolute fortune as I can't find a butcher which sells suitable stuff so am ending up spending more on their food than ours. I can't find any that do mince with the bone. I did put an order in with Landywoods but they have let me down, they only deliver once a fortnight to our area I rang them on the day they deliver so that was too late, so booked for two weeks time which was today. As they can't give you a time I had to clear the whole day which meant I had to double my work up to another day and get dog sitters as that meant the dogs would be left too long and then this morning they've rang to say "sorry one of their drivers hasn't turned up so it will be tomorrow". I can't be in tomorrow and I'm away on the date of the next delivery so basically its going to be September before I can get a delivery from them.

I have given them Pigs Trotters which they love (even if they make me feel a bit ill) but I got them when I was away for the day so can't get them again (well I haven't found anywhere yet).

I'm determined to stick with it but current finances (hubby is in housing trade) mean if I can't do cheaper I may have no choice but to give up

Eeeek! Don't give up

Do you know anyone who does rabbiting or lamping nearby? Your area should be good for that. Try joining one of the countryside forums and look for anyone that clears/shoots vermin for your local farmers. Road kill is good providing its from a clean area (ie no poisons put down) and is fresh.

Pork and lamb ribs, neck of lamb, pigs trotters, cheap mince from supermarkets. Ask your butcher whether he "butchers" his own fowl and get the carcasses and necks from him if he does. Also look in your yellow pages locally for chicken processing factories.

Heather - I can really sympathise - I've had similar with Landywoods deliveries ! - guaranteed to turn your hair grey overnight!

I've found a supplier near Newton on Trent who does some minced mixes for dogs - have pm'd you details - you can collect from them which makes life so much easier!

Rose & Zak