Fetal calf as B.A.R.F

[gsd_newbie]

Max is a 03 months old showline GSD, and has been feed Royal Canin (evening) and chicken quarter (morning) since weaning. Recently I found a supply source of fetal calf (fresh, clean and unborn), and it is so cheap ($1.5 per kg). Since it is so weird kind of meat, I would like very much to have your advice and comment before going ahead feeding my puppy completely raw. Thanks

[Lauri & The Gang]

I would want to know why the calves were aborted.

[gsd_newbie]

I also don't know why, these fetal calf supplied directly from local slaughter-houses, still in the fetal sack. I believe this is legal here, as long as these slaughter-houses are licensed and under quarantine and quality control by Gorn. officer.

[msvette2u]

I would think they'd be lacking some minerals and vitamins that hay or grain fed beef would have. When you see veal it's very pale. I'd be concerned about lack of calcium in the bones as well but maybe that's not as big of issue.

[Catu]

Those calves are not aborted, they are found inside the mothers when they are slaughtered. I think it is a great source of good meat that, just as anything else, needs to be balanced with other sources as well.

[BlackGSD]

How long would it be between the time the cows were slaughtered and the time you got the fetus?

[gsd_newbie]

Originally Posted by Catu

Those calves are not aborted, they are found inside the mothers when they are slaughtered. I think it is a great source of good meat that, just as anything else, needs to be balanced with other sources as well.

Yes you are right, those calves found inside cows when they are slaughtered. I would much appreciated to have your further input on what kind of other sources to be fed so to keep the required balance. Thanks

ps. Sometimes fetal calf delivered when it is still hot, sometimes frozen.

[northwoodsGSD]

While its not exactly the same, I have a dairy farmer that gives me any of his calves that die during the birthing process(much more common than I had thought). Due the the LARGE number of milkers he has, I usually get at least 10 calves a birthing season. I also end up with the ones that die shortly after birth due to getting stepped/laid on.
When I get them it is usually within a few of birth/death, but on occassion in might be 12 hrs(if died at night). While I've never hesitated to feed/use the calves that "aged" a bit, our night temps this time of year stay under 30F.
I've also found that the bones are still very soft at this point. I feed everything except the hide.
The only thing you need to watch for, is if the cows have been given any type of drugs(antibioctics, steriods, ect). I wouldn't feed anything from treated cows.

[dazedtrucker]

Originally Posted by gsd_newbie

Max is a 03 months old showline GSD, and has been feed Royal Canin (evening) and chicken quarter (morning) since weaning. Recently I found a supply source of fetal calf (fresh, clean and unborn), and it is so cheap ($1.5 per kg). Since it is so weird kind of meat, I would like very much to have your advice and comment before going ahead feeding my puppy completely raw. Thanks

That is the most interesting question I've read on raw feeding. I would love to hear the scientific answer...

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by Catu

Those calves are not aborted, they are found inside the mothers when they are slaughtered. I think it is a great source of good meat that, just as anything else, needs to be balanced with other sources as well.

If that is the case then I would say GO FOR IT!

I would feed everything - including the amniotic sac (if the dogs would eat it).

I would treat the calf itself as RMBs and the sac as organ meat. (It might be muscle meat but if it's very rich it might cause digestive upset if giving in large quantities so I would err on the side of caution and feed it at the organ meat percentage.)

And as Catu said - treat it like any other source of food. Use it along with a variety of other protein sources.

If the head itself is too hard for your dog to eat I would crack it open and remove the brains for the dog. Those are a very good organ meat!