We developed this recipe for pregnant & lactating mothers, young puppies and as toppings on quality puppy kibble until the age of 6 months. It has worked wonderfully for us and many friends that are breeders for over 15 years! It is easy to make and freeze in flat zip lock freezer bags.
When making, remember that you are looking for 1/3 proportions: Meat / Rice / Vegetables with Oils.
LARGE PORTION
For mothers or older puppies. If using boneless chicken breasts eliminate the vinegar. This recipe will require a large stock Pot about 20 Quarts. Walmart has an Enamel Canning Stock Pot that works great!!
6-7 quarts of water
6-7 lb. bone in Chicken (no wings)
4-6 garlic cloves or 3 TBS garlic powder (not garlic salt)
2 cups white vinegar
2 lb calf liver - thin sliced - not easy to find (don't worry if you cannot find it)
4-5 med 3 large sweet potato
1 small bunch carrots - 1/2 lb.
2 1/2 cups Safflower or Olive Oil
6 or more cups long grain white rice
Enfamil PolyViSol with iron Baby Vitamins (Walmart)
SMALL PORTION
For individual dog / expectant mothers. If using boneless chicken breasts eliminate the vinegar. This recipe will require a med stock Pot about 10 Quarts.
10 cups of water
3-4 lb. bone in Chicken (no wings)
3-4 garlic cloves or 2 TBS garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 cup white vinegar
1 lb calf liver - thin sliced - see note above
2 med 1 large sweet potato
2 large or 4 small carrots
1 cup Safflower or Olive Oil
2-3 or more cups long grain white rice
Enfamil PolyViSol with iron Baby Vitamins (Walmart)
COOKING DIRECTIONS
In soup or stock pot add water, garlic and bone-in chicken and vinegar. Bring to boil, cover and reduce heat to low for 8-10 hours and reserve the water.
If using boneless chicken, omit vinegar, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover on low for 2 hours and reserve water.
While the chicken is cooking, in a small pot/pan you will want to boil the calf liver until cooked though and well done. Discard cooking water and rinse liver under cool water to remove residue. Rough chop and set aside.
Peel and cube sweet potatoes & carrots into cavalier bite size pieces. I use a food processor. You can also grate for a finer texture for little puppies or sick individuals.
When chicken is fully cooked, remove the chicken keeping the reserve water. The reserve water is an excellent source of calcium, garlic and chicken fat. Sort through the chicken bones and discard anything hard that does not yield to your finger. Do a medium chop on the meat & skin, and a fine chop for young puppies. I use the back of a spoon to mash down the ends of the large bones into a paste and add to the pot (run it though your fingers first removing any hard or sharp shreds). For each leg bone there will be what is called a needle bone. You must find each needle bone and remove. This is extremely important.
Put chopped chicken and mashed bones back into reserve water and bring to a boil. Add oil, chopped veggies, veal liver and white rice. Cook covered until comes to a good boil.
Turn heat to low for 15 minutes and keep covered.
Turn off heat and let stand for about 30 minutes.
Open, stir well and cool in either small containers or flat casserole dishes and then place in freezer bags removing as much air as possible. I suggest freezing the mixture in about 2 cups quantities. It's easier to thaw an additional bag rather than chance larger thawed quantities going bad before you have a chance to use it.
Add .5 ml Enfamil PolyViSol Vitamins to every cup. Or Add 2 ml (one dropper full) Enfamil PolyViSol Vitamins to every 4 cup. Gently mix, cover and refrigerate or freeze.
ADDED SUGGESTIONS:
When feeding young babies, I add a topping of buttermilk or low-fat yogurt (that contains acidophilus) or Kefir.
CALORIES:
We use sweet potatoes because they are a great source of calories, they add sweetness to the food and are great for picky eaters and an excellent source of vitamin A and Beta Carotene. If you are worried about the caloric intake, reduce the amount of sweet potatoes and add another vegetables.
WHITE VS BROWN RICE:
Young puppies cannot tolerate the roughage of brown rice and expectant mothers cannot tolerate the added bulk.
OIL:
My choice of fat is Safflower oil with is polyunsaturated and rich in Omega 3 fatty acid. My second choice is Olive oil. Safflower oil is not easily found, so when you see it grab a couple of bottles. I am also experimenting with Coconut oil at this time. I am adding in moderation to the mix.
