Raising Rabbits to Feed dogs ?

[EWO]

If I were going to feed something that in turn would be fed to the dogs it would be chickens. As close to free range as possible, not that free range and organic factors all that much for me, but a chicken can find something to eat as he roams. Feed bill for the chickens would be reduced vs. having them pen raised. If I had enough space and land with grass I would feed sheep, as they eat the least and grow the fastest in comparison to cows/goats/pigs, etc..

For me, the time investment involved is where I would fall short. After working a ton of hours during the week, it is tough enough to fit everything else is as well, and adding feeding or raising something else would be a stretch. Time is the reason I search out the butchers and deer processors in out area. For me it works out better that way. I seldom buy cases of chicken anymore and when I do buy by the case it is usually chicken backs. They are cheap, and fatty, with some bones material as well. They are not the ideal 'meat meal' but they are cost effective and are an easy feed in the dark, as I do not prepare a perfectly balanced meal every day. Some nights when it is late and dark I just cruise thru the dogs and toss out a few backs or quarters as I walk thru.

I have been back and forth with RAW over the years and the time involved (based on the number of dogs) has always been the constraint. Even when I used bags it was only a few days a week. The dogs I have now have seldom seen bag food and a couple look at me like, "You gott'a be kdding me, right?". But they get the hint. Everyone's situation is different and there are always adjustments along the way. It is finding that happy median that makes it work for each individual. EWO

[montycash]

i live in the islands and you would think cause i live in the islands i would have more access to butchers and chicken farms and so forth i really don't its pretty sad but ill see with this other store and chicken back i might go for the 40lbs for $40 i have a 6yr old stud dog and i got my 8 yr old female that i really want to get at least 4 more breeding's out of her so ill bite the bullet and put them on the raw diet. Everything else ill have to work with the dog food witch im just really tired of using

[sam i am]

i live in the islands and you would think cause i live in the islands i would have more access to butchers and chicken farms and so forth i really don't its pretty sad but ill see with this other store and chicken back i might go for the 40lbs for $40 i have a 6yr old stud dog and i got my 8 yr old female that i really want to get at least 4 more breeding's out of her so ill bite the bullet and put them on the raw diet. Everything else ill have to work with the dog food witch im just really tired of using

Islands you say fish should be in abundance, That's what I would try as my primary source, while rotating chicken and other proteins....Just a thought..

Sam...

[CRISIS]

yeah no shit i need to know where he shops.....

[EWO]

The leg quarters here in NC go on sale lots of times for $0.59 to $0.79/lb, and that is in the grocery store per pack so I can imagine buying by the case may save a few pennies. Walmart sells a 10lb. bag of quarters for $6.90 (daily) and has lots of sales for $5.90 which works out to $0.59/lb. It is the stock up time if you are feeding RAW.

Once a person goes RAW I think the very next purchase should be a large deep freezer to take advantage of sales as they pop up. $0.29/lb is meaningless if there is no where to put it. For me feeding RAW forces me to be a opportunistic shopper. I check the Wednesday sales ads in the paper and hit any store that works for me on my hour commute home.

I get a scrap box from the local butcher and a month or so go there was about 1/4 rib eye loin in the bottom. I cut it up for the dogs. They had rib eyes that night and I ate a bologna sandwich. At times RAW is not all that it is cracked up to be. LOL. EWO

[EWO]

And not to bogart the thread but I just got an update in my email chicken quarters are $0.59 a pound at Food Lion this weekend (ten pound bags). Go to the BARF website. Scroll to your area where there are local suppliers but they are high. But what is there are local co-ops who buy together in bulk to save money and that is a viable option. The next thing is there are email alerts to let all know about pending sales, bulk discounts and lots of times people who clean out their freezers.

One must be opportunistic to make the RAW feeding work. It can be cheaper than high end bag food but I try to make it as cheap as possible to offset the time it takes to shop, store, prepare and clean up afterwards. A self justification if you will. EWO