Seriously looking into raw feeding but need ways to cut costs first

[pbjmaker]

I have been looking at rawfeeding our 5 dogs but haven't started yet because from what I figure I need 3.5 to 5.1 lbs of meat per day. Those of you that rawfeed already can you share where you get your meat and anyways I can make this affordable?

I have looked at different sites and joined the rawfeed yahoo list.

With Tucker's ramdom puking of food lately and Sweetie's sever allergies it might just be I go get a second job to afford it.

 

[Stacykins]

Great way to make it affordable is to ask friends and family for freezerburnt raw meat. Nutritionally the same, just texturally different, so people will give it away for free. Also, before hunting season (alas, past now) many hunters are looking to clear out their freezers of the meat they hunted the year before, so will also give away that meat for free. Hunters also can give away from organ meats (not everyone uses them) like liver, kidney, etc. for free. At dunno much about dog raw diet needs, but cats need to consume both liver and non liver organ meats to remain healthy, as well as bone (kinda acts like fiber for them).

 

[pbjmaker]

Quote:
Yes for dogs it is 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% organ meat with half of that being liver. My husband was going to pay for two tags for deer for them maybe. It is just now deer season here (until January something)

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
Yes for dogs it is 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% organ meat with half of that being liver. My husband was going to pay for two tags for deer for them maybe. It is just now deer season here (until January something)

'tis the exact same percentages for cats

glad to know that for the future, regarding dog raw diets.

 

[pbjmaker]

My two "older" cats rawfeed themselves

 

[rwbwfarm]

We have 6 dogs & same boat here

. I look for markdowns/sales. One local store has 10 lb. bags of leg quarters for 5.90 so I'll stock up on them. Luckily I was able to find a local lady who sells various meats for rawfeeding

.There is at least one supplier list on yahoo, too. Maybe ask local butchers? Hubby hunts & when we have our steers/pigs/extra roosters done I'm def. saving more parts. I agree about the freezer burned meat, too - I've seen posts on craigslist for it.

 

[pbjmaker]

Not really any local butchers around here - all big chain grocery stores - BOO!

 

[halo]

Do you raise your own roosters? How about checking craigslist for people to offer to give away roosters.

 

[pbjmaker]

My husband and I were just talking about that - my extra drakes I can sell to the laotion people around here for $15 so that would be expensive in that sense and right now I don't have any roosters 'cept my silkie boy. But I do have some jersey giant eggs in the incubator so I will have those extra roos eventually. Had looked on CL for freezer meat but didn't see any recently but didn't think at all about free roosters on there!

Going to look now

 

[watchdogps]

Check and see if there are any restaurant suppliers in the area too. You might be able to pick up extra roosters off cl for that purpose, a lot of the ads I see say they don't care if you eat them. Most cities do have a meat packer. Look for meat processors, not butchers. I was super lucky and my local guy saves me all the tripes. That's something you have to have a strong stomach for, but I do, so it saves me a lot of money!