brookcove
Posted : 6/6/2006 12:09:31 PM
After some research on the diet these dogs would have been fed in the old country, and discussions with some old timey working collie folks, I made some revisions in my Border collies' diet. I added grains back in (I had been fairly strictly grainless previously) and switch between mostly oatmeal in the winter and mostly barley in the summer. This approach made a surprisingly big difference in my Border collies, especially the for the periennially skinny, picky, hard keepers.
I also look for significant amounts of fish - and I rotate every so often to a food that is pretty much primarily some specific fish meal (like salmon, trout, menhaden, etc). Fish is a big part of the diet in the northern countries, including the northern UK where the BC was developed. I also add in fresh or canned fish once or twice a week no matter what kibble they are getting.
I avoid corn like the plague, as do most progressive trial competitors and trainers. The BC metabolism and nervous stomach just isn't well adapted to the slow process of digesting maize.
This approach is in addition to their main meal, which is whole fresh raw meats and bones - so I don't worry too much about lamb versus chicken or pork - I just look for the fish and the seasonal grain, and avoid corn. I also don't worry about other ingredients like sweet or white potato that are in addition to the key grain, as long as there's nothing really junky in there and the oatmeal or barley is high enough on the list to make a difference.
Whew. Oh, it's a great idea to switch foods around like you are doing. BCs can play mind games and one of their favorite is manipulating feeding routines.[8|]