$1.19 lb for chicken?

[Roxy'sNewMom]

$1.19 a lb for a whole chicken? WOAH. and that was the cheapest. I thought you all were talking about getting chicken for like .40 a lb and stuff. This does not look like it will be equal to the price of Chicken Soup. Chicken soup....2 bags for about $40 a peice for a month=$80.00 (I am pushing it on the amount...but making it look good for DH)
Now for just a chicken 2 lbs of meat a day for chicken would be about $142!!! That is twice the amount.....I am thinking this was NOT a good idea for my pocket book.

Any suggestions??
Shaunna

P.S....should I just get some chicken backs or necks and see how that goes? I am sooo confused right now.

 

[agilityboxer]

Well, if you shop around you should be able to find some cheaper prices. Try buying in bulk at Sams or Costco if you cant find a meat packing plant. Also, some smaller grocery stores or butcher shops will give you a discount if you buy a whole case.

I typically spend $0.27 a lb for chicken necks (meat plant)
$0.29 for leg quarters (go on sale this cheap about every 3 months at the grocery store)
$0.60-$0.77 a lb for whole chicken

I would check on yahoo groups and see if there is a group in your area. There is one for DFW that post when we find specials at grocery stores etc.

 

[Roxy'sNewMom]

Well, if you shop around you should be able to find some cheaper prices. Try buying in bulk at Sams or Costco if you cant find a meat packing plant. Also, some smaller grocery stores or butcher shops will give you a discount if you buy a whole case.

I typically spend $0.27 a lb for chicken necks (meat plant)
$0.29 for leg quarters (go on sale this cheap about every 3 months at the grocery store)
$0.60-$0.77 a lb for whole chicken

I would check on yahoo groups and see if there is a group in your area. There is one for DFW that post when we find specials at grocery stores etc.

So should I get just pieces of the chicken?
I found somewhere that would order me a 40 lb box of chicken necks for $19.60. Is this good? Can they just have necks? I would think they need more than just necks.
Thanks
Shaunna

 

[agilityboxer]

You still want to keep a variety of meat available but necks are good. My three love them but I think you need to mix it in with another cut that is more meaty then the necks alone would be. Maybe, to start out, just cut the meat off of thighs and drumbsticks if your baby isnt ready for the larger bone crunching just yet and mix it with the necks.

I find I can usually get pieces for cheaper than buying the whole chicken. But when the whole chickens are on sale I will buy them too!

 

[Anna Begins]

http://www.sundaysaver.com/#3
This link may help- weekly sales of common grocery stores. $1.19 is pricey. It is kinda hard in the beginning, stocking up. But once you get stocked, it is cheaper. With a full freezer, you can shop as specials dictate. Normally, twice a month my local Safeway has awsome deals on 1/2 breasts w/ ribs and whole chickens (buy one, get one free right now). I just stock up on the sales, freeze, defrost, feed, buy on sale, stock up, etc.

So, try and look around and it will get cheaper and easier.

Edited to add: You can always get the necks- that is a good price- and add in other parts- you could give a 1/2 breast and a few necks (if your dog doesn't gulp), or some chicken hearts and giblets and a few necks- you get the idea.

After the intro phase and all meats are introduced, you can get the max outta those necks- you can feed a hunk of boneless pork, say, and a few necks for bone.

I just wanted to add another thing- some weeks may have more of 1 item that others- sometimes I'll feed thru a package of turkey drumsticks, so 3 days in a row may be turkey drums. Like wise, if I get a 4lb pork shoulder, I cut off 1lb hunks each day. It's all about what's in the freezer or what was on sale that week (or if you're a wolf, whatever is migrating or abundent in the area) - Luka doesn't care if he gets turkey 3 days in a row :D

 

[Checkers]

Just go for whatever is the cheapest You can get backs and/or necks for now, then keep looking around for cheap chickens, then go back to necks/backs when you run out of whole chickens etc etc. Nothing is set in stone in this diet

It's all about what's in the freezer or what was on sale that week (or if you're a wolf, whatever is migrating or abundent in the area) -

 

[daisykaye]

Feeding raw does take a little more time then dumping out kibble. If you want it to be as cheap as kibble you are going to have to watch out for sales in your area. I was not much of a sales watcher until I start feeding raw.

You will also have to buy in bulk. I never buy less than 40 pounds at a time. As for prices, chicken I try to keep under .50 cent a pound, pork around $1.00 a pound, and beef less the $2.50 a pound.

You will never know what your local butcher can offer if you don't ask. Even check at your local wal-mart to see if they will order bulk meat for you. I got on the phone and call local wholesale meat venders to see if they sell to the public. That is how I found my chicken supplier and they even deliver it to me from 80 miles away.

If you know a hunter with extra meat ask for that. I got 3 1/2 deer carcases this year for free.

Check around your area for a co-op. Also buy a freezer if you don't have one, so when you find a bargain you got a place to go with it.

 

[Anna Begins]

You will never know what your local butcher can offer if you don't ask. Even check at your local wal-mart to see if they will order bulk meat for you. I got on the phone and call local wholesale meat venders to see if they sell to the public. That is how I found my chicken supplier and they even deliver it to me from 80 miles away.

If you know a hunter with extra meat ask for that. I got 3 1/2 deer carcases this year for free.

I will freely admit- that is the biggest challenge of the diet for me. I hate starting up conversations and asking for info! Espceially with men butchers or hunters! I just can't motivate myself to do some leg work. Up til now, my excuse has been lack of space, but I finally have an extra freezer (Yahoo!!!!!!!) so I really should start.