May 24, 2011
I'm switching to raw and from what I've read I should start with chicken necks. Even though there are two major chicken processing plants close by, I can't get any. What do you suggest I start with?
Full Question:
Hi Cindy,I wrote you a few weeks ago concerning my 11yr. old German Shepherd with arthritis in her hips. You recommended switching her to the raw diet. I've ordered a couple of the books you suggested and I've read nearly every article on the Leeburg Web site I could find. I'm convinced this is what I should do.
Now, my problem. Everything I've read suggests using chicken necks as a main staple, especially for the switch. All my life I remember seeing chicken necks in the grocery store and thinking, "Yuck, who'd eat that?" Well, now that I actually want to buy chicken necks, they are nowhere to be found. The grocery stores here can't get them. I live in Saluda County, SC; and we have two major chicken processing plants in this county. My sister-in-law is the plant nurse for one of the processing plants, so I had her inquire about the chicken necks for me. She was told that they no longer bother to leave the necks with the bird. The necks are left with the heads, which are sent to another company for -- get this -- dog food.
My question: Is it safe to use other chicken parts during the switch? I can get backs & leg quarters with no problem. (My German Shepherd has all her teeth, although they are quite warn.)
I will also be switching a Boxer (11 mo. old), a Lab (4 yrs. old) , and three Beagles (two are 3 yrs. & one is 9 yrs. old) All are in good health, but the old beagle is missing a couple of teeth. Any more tips for my big switch?
Thank you so much for all your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Kristie
Cindy's Answer:
I am not a big fan of using chicken necks or wings for switching dogs to the raw diet, even though that’s what many books recommend. Backs are better IF you add some extra meat. Since I have started feeding a raw diet I have gone more to a prey model type feeding style, where the bone content is only about 15 % of the total diet. I think for switching, bone in chicken breast is about the easiest for the dog to handle. The bones are soft and there is a good amount of meat on there. If you use backs, add some extra ground meat of some type.
Once your dogs are doing well and not having any issues, then leg quarters are great. They are the foundation of what we feed here. They have a lot of meat on them and they are well tolerated by our dogs. All of our dogs (even the semi toothless old timers) seem to handle chicken leg quarters just fine. I think this depends on the individual dog and all of ours have tremendous food drive, so they eat them right down. The senior dogs just chew a bit more than the young ones.
Cindy
Once your dogs are doing well and not having any issues, then leg quarters are great. They are the foundation of what we feed here. They have a lot of meat on them and they are well tolerated by our dogs. All of our dogs (even the semi toothless old timers) seem to handle chicken leg quarters just fine. I think this depends on the individual dog and all of ours have tremendous food drive, so they eat them right down. The senior dogs just chew a bit more than the young ones.
Cindy
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