[2bully]

Craigslist is an excellent resource for raw if you're willing to get your hands dirty. I live in a somewhat rural area so the farm and garden section is a prime resource. An example is just yesterday there was an ad selling 35 laying hens for $0.75 a piece. Ads for rabbits (no not just the free pets either), goats, and what not. If you're on a budget and can stomach the dirty work you might give it a go.

Hunters are another fave of mine. Infact today I'm getting the guts of 4 deer. Hearts, livers, lungs, stomachs, the whole works. Dogs will be in heaven in short order.

 

[2bully]

2Bully do you feed skin and fur when you get stuff off craigslist or skin it yourself? I've thought of getting possums and rabbits but not sure if you can feed with fur on or not. Don't think I could stomach skinning it myself lol.

I haven't fed anything with fur or feathers still on. I wasn't able to move on those chickens as I don't have the facilities in place to butcher 35 chickens before a squeamish neighbor called the authorities. Note to self make garage butcher friendly. Just remember if it's questionable deep freeze it for 6 weeks or more. My mom fed roadkill, I'm hesitant to do it.

 

[2bully]

The deer goodies we got have fur on it, we fed it as is. None of them had an issue

 

[2bully]

While cruising CL I found a new source. $0.22 per pound whole chicken backs and necks. Ground backs and necks @ $0.18 a pound. 1 day turn around on orders and they can handle a several hundred pound order.

 

[2bully]

Score!!!! 165 pounds of raw @ $65.00 what's that like $0.40 a pound. You can save the applause, I'll graciously accept monetary compensation for my prowess as a price conscience shopper. Oh yea no coupons either!

 

[2bully]

Whole ground chicken

 

[2bully]

Great price!

Actually the break down goes like this:
150 pounds of whole ground chicken @ $0.22 per pound
15 pounds beef (stew meat) @ $0.75 per pound
$20.00 for my share of the fuel cost
I found a source that is cheap, it's only chicken but nothing costs over $0.40 per pound. The problem, isn't there always a problem. The plant is about three hours away and my work schedule doesn't coincide with their hours of operation. So I shared my source with a raw seller that can get there, I share gas expenses to get the actual price rather than their mark up.

 

[2bully]

If bones are a concern a couple of good whacks with a sturdy mallet will have you covered.