Cost of Raw feeding...

[mmarie]

I'm hoping to get Duke on a raw diet after hubby and I move, and I'm also going to try to get my mom to switch Bella to raw. So for those of you feeding raw:

*about how much are you spending on food?
*how big is your dog? since bigger dogs need more food...
*tips and tricks for lowering cost?

Thanks!

[angelaw]

lets see 300lbs ground up beef mix $175
chicken backs/necks/qtrs, 6 cases, 240lbs 102

so 275 versus over $400 for kibble I was paying. Above doesn't include veggie mix which I do every other day, but I can buy that at the produce stand, grocery store.

Hardy 85-90lbs, Oxana 60lbs, Duchess 55lbs, Diesel 55lbs, Grace 55lbs, Jade 60lbs, Jaxson and Jenna are puppies. Keep in mind the above amount in beef mix and chicken took care of the big dogs plus a litter of 9 for a month. I suspect the weights above will last me 5-6 wks now.

[emjworks05]

I find that feeding raw is fairly cheap. Last night we went to walmart and spent 35$ on 10# of rice and 40# of chicken. We went to our local grocery store and got apples for 49cents per LB, spinach for 1.39 per bundle, and 99cent per LB for tomatoes.

ETA: we also feed them hamburger and we usually pay 10$ per 5#
Chicken hearts/gizzards are around 1.10 per LB, we also give them elk but that was free. We paid 10$ for 300 gel caps of fish oil, And yogurt we usually pay around 2$ for 32 oz. This is just a few examples of somethings we feed them and the prices.

[Nerrej]

Funny that you mentioned this. I plan on switching to raw soon so I took a list to a near by store that a local rawfeeder from this board suggested to me and here is what I came back with.

He suggested that this should last me about 16 days. my pup is 10 months and 60 lbs.

10 pounds of chicken leg quarters .99/lb
3 pounds of duck necks .79/lb
2 pounds of turkey wings 1.19/lb
5 pounds of pork neck bones .99/lb

That's 20 pounds of RMB.

so you'll need about 15-16 pounds of MM to go with it. Perhaps,
5 pounds of ground beef 1.99/lb
5 pounds of chicken gizzards 1.09/lb
5 pounds of pork butt 2.19/lb

Then pick up 3 pounds of liver. .99/lb

49.17

I didn't price shop and I'm sure I can get some of this a bit cheaper. especially the ground beef. But this is what the prices were today.

[Nerrej]

I also am in the process of setting up a relationship with some local hunters to get their freezer burnt venison from last year's hunt. I actually just ran into a guy who said he has some ducks but I'd have to pluck the feathers. lol. I don't know if I want to get that involved but if the price is right, I suppose it'll be cool

[Alto]

Some folk let their dogs do the plucking

[WiscTiger]

I use to hunt Geese and Ducks, never plucked a feather. Just skin them it is much cleaner and faster.

[Nerrej]

Originally Posted By: AltoSome folk let their dogs do the plucking

lol, really, that would be great!

Originally Posted By: Wisc.TigerI use to hunt Geese and Ducks, never plucked a feather. Just skin them it is much cleaner and faster.

I've never skinned an animal before. Do I just take a steak knife and go to work on it?

[Amaruq]

Originally Posted By: NerrejI also am in the process of setting up a relationship with some local hunters to get their freezer burnt venison from last year's hunt. I actually just ran into a guy who said he has some ducks but I'd have to pluck the feathers. lol. I don't know if I want to get that involved but if the price is right, I suppose it'll be cool

Since the skin is quite fatty on ducks you could just "skin" them and remove the feathers that way as well.

Back to the OP: I spend roughly $175 to $225 a month for 6 and 1/4 dogs (6 adults and one piggy puppy). My dogs range from 50-85 pounds (not counting the pup). I would cost me $350-400 for kibble.

I get a LOT of free food in the winter from hunters.

[Nerrej]

wow, amaruq, even on the big side ($225) thats only ~$37.50 per dog. I need to try harder to find better deals.