One of the more common questions we are asked is, What and How do you feed everyone? With 13 dogs and 1 cat, there is a specific process. As to what types of food, we use premium high protein and fat kibble and mix with just about everything! The idea of a kennel at feeding time may seem crazy to owners with just a single pet, but it is really an organized event. Each dog has a spot in the yard where they are fed. They know their spot and typically don't try any hi-jinx. As a rule, our method is to feed the slowest eaters first, thereby giving them the most time to eat. This practice is consistent across any season or type of feeding performed. But how and what we feed? Regardless of the season, we feed twice a day.
The bulk of our dog food is a high quality kibble, currently we use Native and Rotations. All dogs get some kibble each day according to individual weight and season. Dogs are fed more when running and less during summer vacation. Not every Siberian is an eager eater and feeding the same thing twice a day gets boring for the humans as well. We also feel that a variety of food helps to keep the dogs healthier. We commonly blend kibble and use meal supplements. Meal supplements range from raw bones, meat, or carcass to wet and loaf dog foods such as Natures Balance or Evolve.
All the packaged foods we feed are available at Brinbella Barkroom wholesale prices. We order in bulk direct from the distributors and sell products at wholesale price to Upper Valley residents. If you are interested in any of the foods, treats, or supplements we mention, please contact us, the dogs appreciate your support!
Mushing Season:
During training and in winter, dogs are fed a soupy kibble twice a day. Running dogs are also fed supplements and additional snacks as appropriate. As a standard reward, any dog who harnesses and runs is given a snack within 30 minutes of each run. Dogs always get a snack, regardless of performance. The after-run snacks range from a small portion of raw food, raw duck feet, a large crunchy bone, or a small portion of baited kibble.
Kibble tricks:
We entice the dogs with a variety of additions to the kibble. We rotate a variety of extras ranging from canned food, raw eggs, leftovers, coconut oil, dehydrated pork fat, shark cartilage powder, beef suet, fish meal, and chicken livers to name a few. Currently we are using Sojos as our primary supplement. We also provide changes to the meals so that in lieu of kibble, the dogs will get marrow bones, turkey necks, chicken backs, duck carcass, or frozen Brinbella bones. See below for a Brinbella bone recipe.
Summer luxury:
The dogs are more likely to get raw food in the summer, when we are less concerned about calories. They are fed kibble in the morning and get a frozen snack supplement in the afternoon or evening.
Treats:
Treats are pretty common. Basic obedience commands are reinforced during treat time. We usually give out treats in the order of arrival to the kennel. This keeps the human from forgetting a dog and insures no dog double dips in the treat line! We use a variety of treats. For biscuits, Old Mother Hubbard's Mini Peanut Butter are a sure hit, even with a very picky Addie. We also find that Wagatha's are popular. Queen Ishta ate 75 Wagatha's cookies one day while we were out. The Everlasting Treat line have been well liked by the dogs.
Brinbellla Bones:
We provide raw marrow bones to our dogs regularly. When the marrow bones are finished, we run them through the dishwasher, then re-stuff them with a homemade blend. Each stuffing is a different recipe, but we use a common pattern to make the filling:
Whole grains,
Ground meat or Canned Dog Food
Two fruit or vegetables, pureed
Supplements as needed (Flax, glucosamine, etc)
The grains and vegetables are simmered.
When cooked, remove from heat and mix well.
Add in the ground or canned meat, stir.
Add supplements, stir.
The mix should be cool to handle, now.
Scoop by hand into empty marrow bones
Freeze the bones and serve for a hot day meal supplement
Don't forget the most important ingredient - LOVE!
Overall, we believe in variety for the dogs, so each meal is different for our guys...Nik and I commonly ask each other, "so what's for breakfast?" or "what's for dinner?" and its not in reference to our meal!!! The dogs come first!
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