Skip to content
Dehydrated chicken feet dog chews cooling on parchment after drying.

Recipes

Dehydrated Chicken Feet Dog Chews

A byproduct-friendly, single-ingredient chew: naturally rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen for joint support.

Prep
15 min
Cook
24-48 hours dehydrating
Serves
Yield varies by batch size

Ingredients

  • As many raw chicken feet as your dehydrator or oven racks can hold in a single layer
  • Optional: a light dusting of turmeric or ginger powder for extra flavor (skip for the simplest version)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the feet thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  2. Using kitchen scissors, snip off the toenails on each foot — they harden considerably during drying and could be sharp or a choking risk.
  3. If desired, pat the feet dry and lightly dust with turmeric or ginger powder for added flavor and anti-inflammatory benefits — this step is optional.
  4. Arrange the feet in a single layer on dehydrator trays (or a wire rack over a baking sheet if using an oven), making sure pieces aren't touching or overlapping.
  5. Dehydrator method: set to 150-170°F and run for 24-48 hours, checking periodically. Oven method: set to the lowest setting (ideally 170°F or below) with the door slightly propped, and check every few hours.
  6. The feet are done when they are completely hard and dry all the way through — no flexibility, no moisture in the padded areas or skin. Any softness means they need more time.
  7. Let the finished chews cool completely to room temperature before handling or storing — they'll continue to firm up as they cool.
  8. Store in an airtight container or bag. No refrigeration needed if fully dried; they keep well for weeks at room temperature.

Tips

  • Fully dehydrated bones become brittle and crush rather than splinter, which is what makes this safer than raw or cooked bones that can shatter into sharp shards.
  • Drying time depends heavily on humidity and your equipment — don't rush it. Pull pieces individually as they finish rather than waiting for the whole batch to hit one exact time.
  • This is a great way to use feet you're not putting toward broth — nothing wasted, and it turns a byproduct into a sellable or giftable item if you're distributing farm products directly to customers.