[dawnsmith]

Evening all.
I know it's not chickens, but you're a bunch of knowledgable animal folk, so you're the best people I could think of to ask.
I was at a bar-be-que today, and a very naughty cocker spaniel stole a chicken drumstick bone off a plate and swallowed it whole! Do you think it'll pass through it's system? We figured that as she didn't bite it it probably wouldn't cause any perforations, but she's only a little dog, and we're not sure if she should be left to process it.
Thanks for your opinions.

[Porffor]

I'd have thought so, but just watch her carefully.. if it's not 'out' in a couple of days i'd be speaking to your vet.. maybe monday if no sign of it.

I had a dog swallow video tape once.. dumb blooming animals! we do love them though don't we!  

[Boxfanman]

I have fed my dog chicken bones. The battery chooks bones are so soft the dog deals with them without problem. Once cooked the chicken bones are very soft and dog will digest without problem, only problem is if it got caught en route to stomach.

[dawnsmith]

Oh - I thought all bones became brittle and likely to splinter once they're cooked. I thought you could only give them bones that weren't cooked, but never chicken bones. It's just not a conversation that anyone's ever had with the naughty dog in question!
I guess we'll have to do as you suggest porffor, and wait and see what happens.
Thanks for your replies.

[Boxfanman]

Chicken bones not advisable, unless you are sure they won't splinter. With all bones their is a risk.

[Porffor]

I would never take the chance of a chicken bone, the splinters are awful and really could kill a dog.

[skywalker]

I have kept dogs all my life. Bred them, raised them and buried many of them but never as a result of eating cooked chicken bones. I have fed cooked chicken carasses to my dogs for 20 years and never had a problem. Large breeds or small? Not sure that luck could account for it. I'm not advocating anybody do the same but I certainly wouldnt worry about one chicken bone