New to this

[DaneLover228]

After the first of the year, we want to start feeding Monty raw. I've done tons of research and I'm pretty sure how we are going to go about it. I've read and printed out Danemamas getting started thing on her website :) However, I still have a couple questions.

Monty is about 83lbs. Are chicken necks too small for him? Should we start with quarters? If the necks are too small, what should we give him so he is getting enough bone? Can we go ahead with turkey necks? Or is that too soon to add a new protein?

Also, I'm having problems finding places to buy meat in bulk. Or, at least the type of meat I need. I haven't been by the Asian market yet, but have been to a couple of "meat markets" around here and none of them sell necks and backs. I know where I can get leg quarters for sort of cheap. Do any of you shop at a Sams or BJs? Or any type of grocery store? Can you just talk to the butcher about ordering bulk for you? I know I got some weird looks today when I said I wanted raw chicken and turkey for my dog. And one guy tried his darndest to tell me I couldn't give those things to him.

Anyway, sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. Thanks everyone in advance!

[chowder]

I get all my chicken quarters at Harris Teeter when they run their $.47 cent per pound specials. They are unenhanced and really big. Rocky is 90 pounds and one quarter is actually too much for him at one meal. He'll leave the drumstick behind. I started my guys right on chicken quarters and they did fine because that's what I could find. I'm not an expert though, so someone else may be able to help you better with that question.

Watch out for any from Food Lion and Walmart. They usually come in big sacks and are filled with salt and water. They may be a tiny bit cheaper on sale (rarely) but you are getting all that water and salt.

Visit the yahoo group Triangle Raw and check them out. They can help you find places for local meat in bulk and just answer any question about local stuff you may have.

TriangleRAW : Triangle RAW

[Liz]

Hi, we feed the chicken quarters, and I buy whole chicken and butcher that to size. Once in a while we get a killer deal on chicken necks and I freeze them in portion appropriate baggies add a bit of water and freeze, I feed it in a frozen lump so they don't gulp hem all down. Chicken necks are only 2 or 3 inches long so I don't like them for any of my dogs past 10 weeks of age. They are really bony too - legs, quarters, breasts or just whole chicken woudl be a better bet. Catch the sales and buy clearance meat. Go slow as you transition through proteins - don't rush. You might want to get a turkey or two at Christmas on sale and butcher that into serving size so you are ready for your second protein later in the year. We feed alot of turkey neck and hearts here as they fit our budget and the dogs like it. Duck neck is a favorite and the only cut of duck I can afford. But that would be for later on down the road. Oh a Craigslist ad couldn't hurt. Most of the meat I have gotten are from people who are moving and not taking the freezer so I have picked up 50 - 150 pounds of meat at a time.

[DaneMama]

After the first of the year, we want to start feeding Monty raw. I've done tons of research and I'm pretty sure how we are going to go about it. I've read and printed out Danemamas getting started thing on her website :) However, I still have a couple questions.

Hello and welcome to DFC!!! Glad you joined up...we will have to see pictures of Monty! Also glad to hear you're starting raw at the start of the new year! Questions are always welcomed as that is how you learn and gain experience with raw feeding. Don't ever hesitate to ask any and all questions!

Monty is about 83lbs. Are chicken necks too small for him? Should we start with quarters? If the necks are too small, what should we give him so he is getting enough bone? Can we go ahead with turkey necks? Or is that too soon to add a new protein?

Chicken necks are for sure too small for a Dane. I would definitely start with chicken quarters. Chicken necks are VERY bone heavy...more bone than you want a dog to have on a regular diet but good for beginning raw. If you want to increase the bone content on what you feed in the beginning I would go with chicken backs or frames. Those have more bone than necks but are bigger.

Start off with chicken quarters for the first week or two. Start off stripping them of skin and excess fat. Once Monty does well with this for several days in a row, start leaving more and more skin/fat on gradually over the next week or so. Once he's eating full, untrimmed chicken quarters without issue for a week solid, then I would add in turkey necks. You want to alternate chicken and turkey for at least a week or two before moving on with adding anything else in. Slow and steady is how its done right.

Also, I would fast Monty for 24 hours before you give him his first raw meal. His first day should be NO more than 2 chicken quarters, ideally even just one quarter. Start off small and work up to a good maintenance amount. Too many times I've seen people start off with giving the full 2-3% of their dog's weight the first few days to end up with nothing but diarrhea. You will eventually get to feeding 2-3% per day, but just let his body get used to raw food before you go all in.

Also, I'm having problems finding places to buy meat in bulk. Or, at least the type of meat I need. I haven't been by the Asian market yet, but have been to a couple of "meat markets" around here and none of them sell necks and backs. I know where I can get leg quarters for sort of cheap. Do any of you shop at a Sams or BJs? Or any type of grocery store? Can you just talk to the butcher about ordering bulk for you? I know I got some weird looks today when I said I wanted raw chicken and turkey for my dog. And one guy tried his darndest to tell me I couldn't give those things to him.

Have you looked into meat wholesalers or distributors? You can absolutely talk to the meat manager at stores about ordering in bulk from them. OR you can just ask where they get their meat and get the distributors information. You don't have to tell them its for your dog....

Here's a google search on meat wholesalers near you:

https://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&...+knightdale+NC

There are also two raw feeding co ops in NC...I'd join up and get some local support:

QueenCityBARF : Charlotte, NC area BARF feeders unite!!!

TriangleRAW : Triangle RAW

Anyway, sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. Thanks everyone in advance!

Don't be sorry! Ask away! Thats what we are here for! Hope this helps

[DaneLover228]

Thank you so much for all of your help! I have joined TriangleRAW. And I never thought to look at Meat Wholesalers, I just searched for butcher shops! I had no clue all those places were around! You all are great!

[DaneMama]

Glad to be of help!

[DaneLover228]

Ok guys! I think I found where I'm going to buy my meat! I found a place that where I can get 30lbs turkey necks for 29.70, 40lbs chicken backs 15.95 and 40lbs chicken leg quarters for 29.95. I'm going to worry about the other proteins as I start adding them, but for now I was just looking for poultry. Of course, I'll always be on the lookout for sales, but I felt this was a good place to start. I'm so excited! At the start of the new year, Monty will be a raw fed dog!

Another question..hehe

You said to work up to feeding the 2-3%. I was planning on working up to 2.5%. Monty isn't a super active dog, so i don't think he needs the full 3%, but he isn't lazy either. How long before I can give him the full 2.5%?

[DaneLover228]

I lied! We will be starting PMR sooner than I thought! We are starting it on the 15th which is Montys first birthday! I'm super excited! I spoke to my fiance and he said that with those prices there is no reason to buy another bag of kibble! Here is what we'll be saving.

150lbs meat (turkey necks, chicken backs, chicken leg quarters) = $75.60
150lbs kibble (5 30lb bags) = $250

That is a saving of $174.40! Holy cow! Why does anyone still buy kibble?!

[DaneMama]

Yay! Glad you've found a great source and are starting sooner than expected!

For the first day I recommend feeding only 1% because feeding even 2% can cause digestive upset. Gradually work up to 2-3% over the next week or so as long as Monty does well! Keep us posted!

[tem_sat]

I lied! We will be starting PMR sooner than I thought! We are starting it on the 15th which is Montys first birthday! I'm super excited! I spoke to my fiance and he said that with those prices there is no reason to buy another bag of kibble! Here is what we'll be saving.

150lbs meat (turkey necks, chicken backs, chicken leg quarters) = $75.60
150lbs kibble (5 30lb bags) = $250

That is a saving of $174.40! Holy cow! Why does anyone still buy kibble?!

Out of curiosity, how long does 5 30lb bags of food last for Monty? Also, congratulations on deciding to feed him PMR. That is a very nice birthday present!