Anyone grind bones?

[Deleted]

I've been doing some research today, because Baloo just won't skip from ground up to hammered bone. He will jsut not touch it. I have a lot of necks and wings in my freezers waiting...

Then I thought of grinding the bone, but I'm not sure if regular grinders can manage it.

I use a manual grinder like this one (only the holes are smaller):
www.cabelas.com/product/Home-Cabin/Food-Processing/Food-Grinders|/pc/104798880/c/104723280/sc/104364180/Cabelas-Meat-Grinders/716083.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhome-cabin-food-processing-food-grinders%2F_%2FN-1101293%3FWT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26WT.mc_id%3Dgoogle|fop_Food%2BProcessing_Grinders|USA%26WT.z_mc_id1%3Dsiv40WOlv%26rid%3D20%26pcrid%3D7989746598&WTz_l=PPC%3Bcat104364180

(OMG... why do all my google links do this!?!?! )

Would this support hammered bone? Or would I just break it?

What type of grinders do you use? Do you grind bones? Are they more likely to eat the bone if I grind it with their food, then gradually move up to just hammered?

Thanks!

[Sherry]

If you can get your hands on an old fashioned, non electric grinder, that will take smaller bones.
Here's a link on grinders, with some reviews:
northcoastpets.com/barf_hardware.htm

[Heather]

When I only had 3 or 4 ferrets, I used to grind my own chicken and rabbit using a hand grinder. It works very well as long as you stay away from heavy weight bearing bones (great on backs, ribs, necks...bone and meat like that). I think it would have ground up the legs too, but I just wasn't strong enough to get the grinder to function...it would bind. You can get different plates too, mine was a coarser grind than the commercial grinds. This meant that it was better for cleaning their teeth.
ciao

[Deleted]

Thanks for that list Sherry... only... most of those are like 130$ and over! Mine cost 40$ at the time (5-7 years ago). it is the plainest hand grinder possible... lol! Think that would work?

It is the an older version of this: www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/1/Hunting/HuntingAccessories/PRD~0750140P/Meat+Grinder.jsp?locale=en

Heather, when you say you use to grind the bones from backs, ribs, etc, did you hammer them first, or just throw them in? Fortunately, I've got a fiancé who likes to turn the handle, and I feed the meat! hahaha!

But I currently only have the regular small grind blade, Once they start eating bone of that size without hesitation, then I could raise the bar and go for coarser I'm sure Hoping that one day I'll just thaw a wing and they'll gladly take it...

[Deleted]

I can also easily get this grinder:
www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=12868154

Which would be better? Stick to the hand one? Or go for the electric?

Thanks

[Sherry]

With bone, I'd be tempted to stick with a hand grinder. I'd be afraid of burning out the motor on an electric unless it's meant specifically for handling bones. Read "expensive" ;D

[Sherry]

And just checked- that second one is meant for meat alone. Bones would definitely burn it out pretty quickly.

[orv420]

I was doing research on the same thing for a while and the one major thing I noticed is that chicken tends to bind up many grinders, so a lot of people grind their chicken partially frozen to keep the fats solid and reduce the number of clogs from tendons. I kind of abandoned the search and opted for ground eggshell. Mine are starting to eat bones now, so they get all the yummy marrow. I just use the back of my cleaver to break the thicker bones into 3 pieces and they go to work. I leave enough meat to cover the bone so it doesn't splatter marrow and blood everywhere...that was a fun lesson to learn.

[Deleted]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know!! I shall stick with the current one then!

I will attempt the bones in a few weeks when I run out of food, and let you all know how it worked then!

Thanks!