Hi everyone. I have not posted to this board, just been reading an awful lot. Anyway, I am getting a boxer puppy in 3 weeks or so and definitely want to feed raw. Have already found the freezer I am going to buy, just need to go buy it.

I have found a source for chicken backs ($12/40 lb case) and have read that these have perfect meat/bone ratio for raw feeding. I know to start of slow, so just chicken backs at first.

I figure I am going to be feeding 3 times a day for a little while, so was thinking of backs in the morning and evening with ground chicken for lunch?

I plan on feeding veggies but have questions about adding them. How long after starting could I add veggies? Should I just use a single type of veggie at first or make a glop of a few kinds? Mix ground muscle meat in with the veggies (chicken at first, then as other proteins are added, others)?

I am trying to not get so caught up in the percentages and such, but just don't want to add things in too fast or really mess something up right from the start. The breeder I am getting my baby from has no problem with me feeding her raw as long as I do the research and do it "right". I have read Billinghurst's "Grow Your Pups With Bones" and Schultze's "Ultimate Diet". I think I have a pretty good handle on this, but would like input from some experienced raw feeders. A lot of the information I have read is in regards to switching an adult to raw, so not sure how this applies to an 8 wk old puppy.

Thanks for all replies and sorry so long

 Quote: Candace Sayre

I am trying to not get so caught up in the percentages and such, but just don't want to add things in too fast or really mess something up right from the start.

I haven't fed a puppy before, but thought this looked like a pretty straight forward approach to add to what you've already read. There are alot of folks here who have raw raised puppies before and will be able to give you first hand knowledge.

http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf

You already sound like you've got a pretty good grasp on this.

Lucky puppy is gonna' have the good life when you get her.

Here's some detail about puppies:

http://leerburg.com/feedpups.htm

Michael, thank you for your reply. I have read that link as well (actually have read A LOT of links). I have also downloaded both of Lonsdale's books and read them both. Yeah, I hope Tag thinks she is livin' the good life when I get her. I certainly intend to do the best I can by her. She is going to be the pick female of the litter. She may be a show prospect, I will get to meet her again on Wednesday (7/4). The last time I saw her was when she was 6 days old

Connie, thank you also for your reply. I have read a lot of the replies you have had to other people on this board and have much respect for what you have to say. I have also read that link from this site. I guess some of my questions seem to stem from the fact that much of what I am finding about puppies seem to be puppies that are weaned off mom onto raw. My Tag will be weaned off mom onto Wellness kibble and then when she comes to me onto raw.

Unfortunately, the person I am getting her from has 2 adult Boxers and 25+ show and pet Pomeranians, so for her to wean just my girl onto raw is not really an option. At least she will be weaned to a quality kibble and not junk.

I think that maybe I just have way too analytical of a mind and am not yet comfortable with feeding backs and adding things and seeing how it goes with her. I guess this is mostly for my own convenience that I want to find out as much as I can about when and how to add things so I am not cleaning up huge messes when I get home from adding too much too fast.

Thanks again for your replies and any more specifics, suggestions, or support you can give for my plan would be greatly appreciated