Jenna
As I understand it, the reason for adding eggshells to the recipe is to
provide more calcium and phosporus.  The ferret's polecat ancestors
typically dine on small mammals and amphibians, which have a higher bone
and fat to flesh ratio than larger prey like chickens.  Hence to bring the
ratios back to normal, additional bone substitute and fat are needed.
 
Something I do is save the fat, neck and gizzards from whole chickens and
chicken parts I cook for the human family.  I freeze them until time to
make gravy and then grind and add to the mix.  This is the only thing I
have to grind since I found a meat market that will grind whole chickens
for me.
 
Yes, a meat market is a good place to try to find this service, but the
best thing to do is offer to come at the end of the day just before they
close.  If they grind your chicken, they will have to clean the grinder
before they can use it for anything else.  If it's the end of the day, no
big deal, since they have to clean it anyway.  Some grocery stores will
even do it under those conditions.
 
Bob's Chicken Gravy would be a fine diet for your little girl, but don't
expect her to lose weight on it!
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
[Posted in FML issue 2870]