If you plan to go cold turkey, then feed just one protein source for the first 1-2 weeks. Normally people use chicken. Chicken quarters should work for you. Leave the bone in and don't worry about organs yet. If you don't like the mess thawed raw makes, or if you think your dogs are eating way too fast then you can feed the raw frozen. Yes the bone is fine frozen. You could consider adding probiotics to aid in digestion if your dog has never had raw before.
It's very likely that for the first few days, maybe even the first week, your dogs stool will be very runny. That is normal. Once the stools are nice and firm for about a week you can start either introducing a new protein (beef, pork, lamb, deer, rabbit, etc) OR organs. NOT both at once. Personally I introduced a new protein first (beef). Introduce the new protein SLOWLY by substituting a portion of the daily chicken quarter with whatever protein you choose. Remember to continue giving RMBs to maintain solid stool. I don't recommend chicken necks for bigger dogs because they're small. RMB's you can feed: chicken backs, turkey necks, some dogs can go through pork, lamb, and beef ribs - NO weight bearing bones i.e. leg bones.
Again, once stools are stable you can introduce organs. Organs should be introduced even more slowly unless you want very runny stool because they are VERY rich. By very slowly I mean no more then say, a fingernail's worth the first day and working incrementally from there. Start with ONE organ - I recommend liver (chicken or beef) as your starter organ. Random note - beef heart is NOT an organ in terms of raw feeding, it is considered a muscle meat. It IS a very rich meat nonetheless so feed beef heart slowly if you ever choose to.
You don't have to worry so much about proportions right away. There will be balance OVER TIME. If you want you can invest in a scale if you want accurate measurements, though later on as you get more used to it you'll more then likely end up eyeballing it. Keep an eye on their weight. Getting chubby then less food, getting thin then more food.
Each dog of course has a different metabolism so don't be surprised if you have a sliding scale in terms of how much each eats!
Hope that helps as an intro. There's a LOT to learn, but you'll be fine as long as you do your research.
It's very likely that for the first few days, maybe even the first week, your dogs stool will be very runny. That is normal. Once the stools are nice and firm for about a week you can start either introducing a new protein (beef, pork, lamb, deer, rabbit, etc) OR organs. NOT both at once. Personally I introduced a new protein first (beef). Introduce the new protein SLOWLY by substituting a portion of the daily chicken quarter with whatever protein you choose. Remember to continue giving RMBs to maintain solid stool. I don't recommend chicken necks for bigger dogs because they're small. RMB's you can feed: chicken backs, turkey necks, some dogs can go through pork, lamb, and beef ribs - NO weight bearing bones i.e. leg bones.
Again, once stools are stable you can introduce organs. Organs should be introduced even more slowly unless you want very runny stool because they are VERY rich. By very slowly I mean no more then say, a fingernail's worth the first day and working incrementally from there. Start with ONE organ - I recommend liver (chicken or beef) as your starter organ. Random note - beef heart is NOT an organ in terms of raw feeding, it is considered a muscle meat. It IS a very rich meat nonetheless so feed beef heart slowly if you ever choose to.
You don't have to worry so much about proportions right away. There will be balance OVER TIME. If you want you can invest in a scale if you want accurate measurements, though later on as you get more used to it you'll more then likely end up eyeballing it. Keep an eye on their weight. Getting chubby then less food, getting thin then more food.
Each dog of course has a different metabolism so don't be surprised if you have a sliding scale in terms of how much each eats!Hope that helps as an intro. There's a LOT to learn, but you'll be fine as long as you do your research.
