Turkey Legs?

[imported_Hunterboozer]

I read somewhere (on another board) that turkey legs aren't good to give them? I just bought 6 legs tonight (1# each).

Is that right? I don't want to give them something that will splinter (the bones in them look pretty big).

If not, I guess Matt and I will eat them.

Thanks.

[Apollopuppy]

I feed turkey legs to my cat and ferrets, but I know the bones are too big and too dense for them to eat. So I strip the meat and skin off the bones and mix it in a ziploc bag with 1tsp eggshell powder to every pound of meat. I buy legs for my animals because I like that they are dark meat (high in taurine, good for ferrets and cats who cant produce taurine like dogs) they have skin on them, and they have some tendons in them.

Even though my guys dont eat the bones they still benefit from the enrichment. im not sure about dogs eating turkey legs though, I know turkey WINGS have suprisingly small bones, so small that my cat and my ferrets can easily manage eating them.

If turkey legs DO turn out to be a no-no for dogs (again Im not sure if they are) then I'd reccomend doing as I do and tearing the meat off the bone and mix with eggshell OR go ahead and eat them yourself (like you mentioned).

-Giuli

[Fallriver]

Personally, I wouldn't feed them. Smaller fowl like chicken might be OK but even that I would categorize as 'iffy'. My opinion is shy go looking for trouble if you can find better sources.

[Baloo317]

I heard somewhere that anything "weight bearing" is a no no, as those bones are a lot more dense and strong, in order to support the weight and mobility of the animal.

Lots of people feed chicken legs though, I haven't goten up the courage to try, and I'm still not sure I want to. Baloo had a cornish hen last night and got through that just fine, and Peanut had no problems with her quail (both whole) so I think I might just stick to the smaller birds.

[Apollopuppy]

I heard somewhere that anything "weight bearing" is a no no, as those bones are a lot more dense and strong, in order to support the weight and mobility of the animal.

Lots of people feed chicken legs though, I haven't goten up the courage to try, and I'm still not sure I want to. Baloo had a cornish hen last night and got through that just fine, and Peanut had no problems with her quail (both whole) so I think I might just stick to the smaller birds.

I've heard the same thing about weight bearing bones, Kate. I thought that only applied to REALLY big bones though. I dunno about dogs, but my ferrets never had much of a problem munching through SMALL chicken legs.

Here's what all they left of a small adult chicken leg:



If a little 2.5 lb "weasel" can crunch through that, I dont see why an 80lb lab's jaws wouldn't be able to crunch it without a problem. I mean ferret teeth arent that big (although they look very similar to a dogs:



Does anyone know if there is any other reason to NOT feed weight bearing bones besides the bone DENSITY being rough on the teeth and jaws?

-Giuli

[WillV341]

isn't there something to do with blockage associated with weight-bearing bones?

I'm in no way giving advice, just tagging along for more info...

[jlab]

I feed turkey legs all the time with no problem. My labs crunch them up with ease. I do think it's better to buy the whole bird and feed all the parts compared to just feeding the legs over the same period. I like cutting a hunk of the bird to include the leg and thigh for a nice big complex portion.

Yes, turkey legs are weight bearing but still soft compared to cow and swine weight bearing bones. The whole turkey including the legs is easily consumed. Labs have powerful jaws and strong teeth that are designed for and quite capable of easily crunching a relatively soft turkey leg bone.

[imported_Hunterboozer]

This will be their first time with turkey legs. I'll watch them and if they seem to be struggling with the bone, I'll take it away. I was just looking for something different to give them.

Thanks.

[Trickster]

If I can get them cheap I will feed them.