Hi, I'm a 15 year old girl and I have a new puppy coming home in 2-3 weeks (6 weeks and 2 days old currently). I've been looking all over for good pieces to feed it, because I really want to give it the best I can. Diet is so important. I'm thrilled because I just found a poultry processor who'll sell me 40 lb cases of chicken backs for $24 each. I also am going to feed ground beef/turkey, canned salmon, broccoli and spinach mush, alfalfa, kelp, and the different supplements (omega 3 pills, garlic pills, vitamin C, vitamin E, etc). I'm so excited. The only thing is, I'm not sure how much freezer space 40 lbs of chicken backs will take up (I know my veggie pulp won't take up much), plus I have to have a little room for frozen sirloin/hamburger. My family has a typical refrigerator - lower unit is the fridge, upper unit is the freezer. I am willing to buy a chest freezer. I have been working so I can afford to have my new dog because it wouldn't be fair to my parents to ask them to pay when we already have a family dog. So I can afford a chest freezer, is basically what I'm saying. I guess the whole point of this message was to ask if you thought I could cram 40 lbs of chicken backs in a regular freezer, or if I had to buy a chest freezer, what size would you recommend? (i.e. 5 cubic feet, 8 cubic feet, 14 cubic feet, etc)

Thanks so much,
Sarah

I would think it would take up all the space in your freezer.If I were you I would buy a seperate freezer,as far as size i would buy the biggest one I could afford.Good Luck!

I agree that a seperate freezer will be a necessity. I don't agree that for 1 dog you need the largest though. The only issue with the smaller chest freezers is that the boxes that the chicken usually comes in (here anyway) are wide and don't fit easily as is. This may require that you thaw and refreze into containers before putting them in your freezer. Your meat processer may be able to have the product thawed when you pick it up so that you may eliminate one step in the process.

I don't know where you live, but that price sounds high. I would negotiate that he break it into smaller bags for that price! I pay less than $16 for a 40-pound case.

Another thing to consider is the electricity that a larger freezer will require. I say stay with the small chest freezer.

Even if you got a freezer that would accomodate the size of a 40 lb block of chicken, you'll have to axe it up into manageable size chunks anyway, so you might as well do it before you stick it in the freezer. If you are lucky enough to get it unfrozen, you can divide it as Deanna says. If you go the chopping route you will probably develop an admirable axe swing! For one dog I would go with the smaller freezer as they are alot easier to find a place for and move around (plus less electricity, too).

Sounds like you've really got it together. If you ever have any trouble at home, you'd have no problem getting adopted by anyone in this group. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You may already know this, but you want to avoid too many "cruciferous" veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) as they supposedly cause gas (my wife will attest to that) and depress thyroid function.

Other than that, enjoy your new pup! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thank you all! I live in Hawaii, so I'm not sure whether the 60 cent per pound price is justified? But I'll definitely ask them if they can pack it in smaller boxes for me, or at least have it thawed out when I pick it up so I can do some bagging.

It's funny you mention adoption, as I'm already adopted. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I am now off to do some more searching of this board to figure out the average price of ground turkey or meat.

Hey Deanna, If you don't mind me asking where do you get your 40lb boxes for $16.00 dollars.I live on the north shore in Massachusettts and I am in the process of starting to fed my two male shepherds raw food. Thank You

I purchase my backs and necks through Poultry Products Northeast. I believe that they are only ME and NH though. I have had an account through a business for years with them and I have to order 400 pounds at a shot though.

Rawfed New England would be a helpful yahoo group to you. Most of their members are local to you and would help you find a co-op or where to get the best prices.