I have 70lb female in good shape, and I am giving her 1.5 cups of meat, and 1.5 cups of veggie. The i have 2 12-14 lb. pups and they get .5 cup of meat and .5 cup of veggie. Sound about right?

I have always kept them slim and in shape. Keep in mind one is a pug and would eat till she popped if I let her.

Can anyone enlighten me on buying meat. Most cost effective. Which you prefer, I know now I am not buying TRIPE!!! Any one meat better than the other.

I also add a few other things, a little dollop of cottage cheese and yogurt, a little scoop of salmon (teaspoon) and salmon oil (3 pumps for the big one and 1 pump for the little ones) vitamin E for all and gloucosamine-condroitin for my big girl.

I think I have my bases covered.

Heather.
I have a meat locker here and they actually save the turkey and chicken parts they do not use for me. They also allow me to go through the beef, pork and lamb trim before they throw it out (as long as I get there before 4pm). I also get all of my RMB's and recreational bones from there. The hunters in this area that know I feed raw, drop off their deer, elk and antelope carcasses and I cut them up with a saws all and put them in the freezer. This will last me at least 6 months (I have 5 dogs to feed and whatever dogs that are here for training also go on RAW while they are here)
The thing I learned is to talk to the managers/hunters and people I know that do not use all of the parts and ask them to save them for me. I usually make rounds once a week and pick up stuff.
Also, one of our dearest friends came to me yesterday and since he makes a HUGE garden every year, we made the agreement that I help him tend it when he asks for help and he will add a few more rows for veggies that I use. The grocery store saves me any fruit and veggies that are not "sellable" to the public and they charge me about 1/4 of the usual cost.
I am new at this, but I think it just takes time to talk with people, imagination on who to talk to and yes time to convince spouses, parents ect that this is the way to go.
The amount of crap (literally) was a shocker for my husband. The dogs have not been on raw that long and even so, we pick up less than ever before, no stinky, huge piles. Just whatever the dog did not use that day I guess. Coats are shinier, attitudes are better and none of the dogs act like they are hungry all of the time. Even Fatty who is on a diet seems satisfied.
I am sure the more knowledgeable people regarding RAW will have way more suggestions than the ones I just gave. So hope this helps a little and changing to RAW is a great thing.

I had a hard time finding chicken backs. Which is odd because there is a lot of chicken for sale and they all had backs. I asked around and it turned out the meat department manager in my closest supermarket could order them.

It took several weeks as he had to convince the supplier that someone actually wanted 40 pounds of chicken backs. People also use them for soup.

I got my first 40 pounds for $22.00. It turned out to be a mistake and my next batch will be more. Instead of .50-something cents a pound, I will be paying .70-something. What is the going rate for chicken backs?

Ditto the folks who say their dogs are doing great on a raw diet. We have not had a gas problem since switching to raw. I take that back...that first can of mackerel. It smelled like under the pier around here for a day. I don't know if it was doggy fart or doggy breath. No problems now.

Ruth,
I don't know which is worse, having your house smell like a Pier or my house like a cow barn at certain feeding.

 Quote: Angelique Cadogan

Ruth,
I don't know which is worse, having your house smell like a Pier or my house like a cow barn at certain feeding.

Now, no quarreling ---- I'm sure they are equally lovely!

Ahhh yes. Essence of dog. I couldn't live without it.