any tips on what to feed bitch with puppies

[janetsflower]

our dog has just had 11 gorgeous little pups and is feeding them, just wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what to feed her. We're giving her dry puppy food at the moment and shes getting plenty of minced beef, chicken etc as well. We know she needs loads more food, lots of protein and all that, she did successfully rear 9 pups last year on the diet she is on now, i just wondered what other people feed their dogs as there doesn't seem to be a specific product on the market for feeding bitches and this surprised me. we tried the pet shops locally and 2 vets, they all say puppy food.
Incidentally I am asking this purely as a matter of interest, my dogs are all well cared for, the puppies already have homes to go to and i haven't posted this to invite lots of insults which i have seen other people subjected to for merely mentioning that they would let their dogs breed. Apologies to those who don't intend to offend but it makes me really mad when people ask questions in all innocence and get a load of abuse thrown at them

[lankeela]

I always feed my bitches on Eukanuba puppy food until they have stopped feeding the puppies themselves, then they go back on to the adult Eukanuba. I also give a calcium supplement daily in case of eclampsia from the puppies taking too much out of the bitch through the milk. I usually start to wean the puppies at about 3 - 4 weeks, depending on the size of the litter (small litter - wean later). If it is a large litter you can supplement the feed from mum from 2 weeks onwards. I always use fresh minced beef to start them off then soaked Eukanuba puppy mixed in with it.