Making “bone milk” is SUPER simple and easy, and can be used to supplement your pet’s dinner.
First, you need to make broth. I do this for myself by putting a whole chicken in the crock pot and adding water to (almost) cover the bird, then throw in some garlic, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and whatever else you’re so inclined to add. If you’re making “dog broth,” simply add a chicken to the pot and add water – no other herbs, veggies, or spices necessary.
Allow your chicken to cook on high for 1 hour (this helps warm it up quicker), then finish on low for 7 hours.
Once your broth is finished can (or freeze it), and save it for later. Pick your chicken meat and do with as you please (I freeze it later for soup/tacos/etc.). If you made broth and chicken for your dog (or cat), the same process applies.
Once you have picked your chicken clean so that all that’s left are the bones, give them a good rinse in the sink, then toss them back in the crock pot (don’t wash it so that whatever was stuck to the bottom/sides remain) with enough water to cover, and maybe just a tiny bit of the broth if you’re so inclined. If you made your chicken broth and chicken for human consumption, I forego the addition of the broth since you don’t want any added salt.
Turn your crock pot on high for 1 hour, then reduce to low for another 8-10 hours (more or less). You want to cook the bones until they become powdery and you can squeeze them and they’ll break apart. Once you’ve achieved powdery/brittle bones, toss everything in a blender or food processor (let it cool a bit if you don’t want to burn yourself) and blend a couple of pulses until it becomes a thin, pulpy consistency. That’s it. Super simple. Put the “bone milk” into containers and refrigerate if you plan on feeding it or freeze to feed later. Our dogs AND chickens love it, and you’ve just cooked a whole chicken with ZERO waste!!! This can be done with pretty much any bones – beef, pork, venison, rabbit, etc. Bone milk provides a high calcium, nutrient dense snack for on top of your pup’s (or other animal’s) regular dinner. The benefit of it being cooked in the same pot that the broth was cooked in is that some of that beneficial, gelatinous collagen remains, so that provides another added nutritional benefit as well!