How do you soften a chicken bone?

You can't truly soften a chicken bone in the way you might soften something like a piece of meat. Chicken bones are made of calcium and other minerals, which are incredibly hard and don't change their texture like soft tissues do.

Here's what you can do to make chicken bones more palatable or easier to digest:

* Cook them for a long time: Boiling chicken bones for several hours will make them more brittle and easier to chew, but they won't become soft. This is how traditional bone broth is made.

* Grind them: A food processor or blender can grind chicken bones into a powder. This makes them digestible, but not "soft" in the way you might expect.

Important Note: Be careful when dealing with cooked bones. They may be brittle and sharp, even after extended cooking. Always handle them with caution.

Alternatives:

* Soft Bones: If you are looking for a softer bone option for your pet, you can purchase commercially available bone treats that are designed to be softer and more digestible.

* Pre-made Bone Broth: Bone broth is a great way to get the nutritional benefits of bone without having to worry about softening them yourself. You can find pre-made options at many grocery stores.

Ultimately, "softening" a chicken bone is not possible in the true sense of the word. However, you can make them more digestible and easier to consume through different methods.