Well, after much thinking I have decided to do the all natural diet for my two dogs. One 9 year old Blue Heeler (Bailey, THE best dog in the world!), and a 3-month old Blue Heeler, Storm (The NEXT to be best dog in the world!) At first I was reluctant to think beyond the mess and price and then it hit me. We hunt, and then force ourselve to eat the venison we bring home, so why not just feed it to the dogs? Okay, so what if they are eating very healthy, low fat meat that averages about $133.65 per pound after figuring in how much our hunting trips cost while we eat hamburger on sale! (Just kidding. About the hamburger being on sale, that is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
So, my question is:
What type of supplementation would I need for a diet mainly of venison, or should I be rotating with chicken, or something else? I just started this, and am feeding chopped backstrap, and ground deermeat straight. The pup gets an egg with his (he LOVES the egg, too) I feel like I probably need to balance this a bit. Any suggestions? Also, I could be just making this up, but my pup seems to be so much "happier", brighter, more alert after being on this diet. Am I just dreaming <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />? I know one thing, the bitch has always been a picky eater, and the pup was becoming that way but they now CLEAN their bowls and are very interested in meal time. That makes me feel really good.
Oh, also what about other game? Like rabbit, squirrel, fish?
Thanks for any input!
Mona

Good for you on taking this major step in feeding! There is so much information regarding raw diet that there have been books written on the subject. You may want to search this board, check Ed's site, and check the numerous web sites for more information.
The key to success in raw diet is VARIETY. During this process of 'variety' you will find what works with your dogs, what they like and what they don't like... one of mine HATES whole fish, she picks it up with her front teeth and looks at me like "???WHAT IS THIS???, she'll shake it, put it down eat everything else, then well... ok if that's all I get look, will try and eat it with a digusting look! But I have to step out of her way when it's beef heart, she smells that and her eyes cross with joy!
And no, you're not making it up that your dogs look happier or brighter now that they've received 'real' food!
There are many, many opinions on supplements, some use them, some don't. There are many opinions on feeding fruit/veggie mush too.
Also remember the dog is a scavenger, has lived with man for thousands of years and until about 50 years(?) ago ate what we threw them from the table... and they SURVIVED... imagine before kibble!
Good Luck and again, I highly recommend doing as much research in all avenues as possible to come up with your own methods.

There are two groups in Yahoo, one is a supply group called Carnivore Feed Supply (please delete if this is not allowed to be posted)and another one called Rawfeeders. Rawfeeders is mostly a prey model feeding...like if you have 7 dogs and you raise goats, and it's dinner time, so you shoot the goat and holler for the dogs.

But both will give you all kinds of options of feeding and all kinds of meat sources and answers to questions.

I have found a source right here in town for Morigins-Ed has a link on the board to it. Anyway, on the Carnivore Feed Supply this girl emailed me because I was asking about meat sources in WV and she is like right down the street from me, so you never know what you can find.

Good Luck on your search.