Starting raw (again)

[Laurelin]

Back on raw for two meals now. Mia is taking to it like a champ but Summer is avoiding the raw like the plague.

So for those of you that grind your raw, how do you balance it out (particularly the bone portion of it)?

When Summer was on raw before, it was mainly primal for her. I'm going to pick up some premade and give that to her for the time being just to start transitioning her some.

 

[Kat09Tails]

start with balanced parts and stuff them in the grinder So usually for starting - skin a chicken back (less fat is helpful at that stage of the game - chunk it up. Grind away. Add fat back in over the week or two. Then I usually move to a chicken thigh or neck and some ground pork, cheap ground beef, or turkey

 

[Laurelin]

You can grind the bone as well? *feels stupid*

 

[Kat09Tails]

Chicken bone is very soft as are many pork ribs.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

start with balanced parts and stuff them in the grinder So usually for starting - skin a chicken back (less fat is helpful at that stage of the game - chunk it up. Grind away. Add fat back in over the week or two. Then I usually move to a chicken thigh or neck and some ground pork, cheap ground beef, or turkey

This.



Also try warming the food some if Summer is still refusing. Even a bit of broth (low sodium) or oatmeal, or anything yummy will encourage picky eaters.

 

[Beanie]

What kind of meat grinder do you guys use that will handle chicken bones? I've been thinking about picking one up for a while but don't want to end up with something that won't do the job.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I just use an antique hand crank one from Sears. Works fine for chicken/rabbit bones. Not so much for most pork bones.

Total cost to me for the years of service $4 from a garage sale

I'm still looking for a commercial meat mincer for moving on up to.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I don't grind anything because I have big dogs and I love feeding gnawing meals but $4 is a steal. Dang.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I don't grind anything because I have big dogs and I love feeding gnawing meals but $4 is a steal. Dang.

I know. Really there are many applications with the grinder. One of my favorite is mixing organs with veggies and then packing that gorey mess into ice cube trays for storage.

 

[katielou]

I have used the attachment for my kitchenaid mixer and it works fine on chicken, rabbit, pheasant that i have tried in it.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I have used the attachment for my kitchenaid mixer and it works fine on chicken, rabbit, pheasant that i have tried in it.

I will caution you on this just because replacing motors on those kitchenaids is a pita and can be expensive. Be really really REALLY sure that you're not running things too tough for that mixer because it's really hard on the motor. More than a few have met their end with the meat mixer and grain mill attachments.

That said, I love kitchen aides. My mom has had the same one since 77' and I've had mine for about 15 years. Love them.

 

[katielou]

I will caution you on this just because replacing motors on those kitchenaids is a pita and can be expensive. Be really really REALLY sure that you're not running things too tough for that mixer because it's really hard on the motor. More than a few have met their end with the meat mixer and grain mill attachments.

That said, I love kitchen aides. My mom has had the same one since 77' and I've had mine for about 15 years. Love them.

I've got 3. 2 old family ones and a new one.

I've been trying to kill he two old ones for years now so it would be a blessing to have the motor go.

 

[misfitz]

I have a hand-crank grinder from LEM, it's pretty sturdy. Sturdier than my arm muscles... It grinds chicken thighs for the kitties like a champ. I think I got it online at Sears for around $40. I'm jealous of the yard sale $4 grinder - what a find!