whole Prey!

M

marymrumfelt

Forums Enthusiast
Anyone on here feed whole prey?? We finally ran out of free, hunting meat and had to order from Hare Today. It was more affordable to get whole prey, as in fur and everything, so we went with it! I'm interested in how they'll react when I throw them a fuzzy bunny. I'm prepared to skin it, but really hope I don't have to. We got six whole chickens too and I'm willing to bet I'll have to pluck is as I don't see them eating feathers. I feel like this whole prey thing is really mimicing their diet in nature and I don't think I'll ever want to go back to random pieces here and there. We also got quail for them to eat...the quail is perfect b/c it's small and accounts for one meal... the chicken is like wayyy more meals so I'm eating going to let them eat some/pick it up and hack it all up myself. I'm not sure how wrapping a half-eaten animal, with everything intact, will work out... The bunnies are enough for three meals so I'm considering letting them all share it.

All animals were killed as humanely as possible with the use of Co2, by the way.
 
I still cannot get used to this whole prey feeding. I must be a big sissy. I pick dragon flies out of spider webs so they won't get eaten! (live bugs I pick out) to try to picture Danny Boy eating a whole rabbit just makes me feel bad. I just do not want to see him eating something with a face. That goes for myself too. Oh well......I am sure your dogs will lt.
 
It won't exactly be pleasant for me either... lol but yeah, they'll enjoy it. There's actually a lot of benefit to the head, too. The eyes/brain are realllly healthy. That's a plus! ;) Plus it's nice not wasting any part.
 
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I would skin the rabbit and chicken (yes you can skin a chicken) Feed them partically frozen, if your dogs dont mind, that way the blood doesnt make too much of a mess. I personally remove the intestines, and fur but thats just me. Also be prepared for them not to know what to do with a whole animal. Some dogs need the meat to be exposed, if you leave on the pelt. you may have to cut them in half.

Just a side note we have had the debate of using Co2 as a kill method on the rabbit forum, and most people dont consider that a good method, as the animal is slowly suffocating to death. Most consider cervical dislocation or a shot to the base of the brain to be more humane kill method. I have shot a rabbit at the base of the brain and can tell you that is a very quick death. One second they are munching on grass, the next lights out.
 
Yuck! :ick. I like bunnies! I've thought about doing raw before, but I don't think I'll ever go that far. For one thing once they adapt to eating there meals that way... I can see them deciding to take live chickens, bunnies, etc. A big no, no!
That being said... I wouldn't let them have anything with fur, or feathers still attached... that sounds to me like intestinal problems just waiting to happen.
 
SheltieLuver said:
Yuck! :ick. I like bunnies! I've thought about doing raw before, but I don't think I'll ever go that far. For one thing once they adapt to eating there meals that way... I can see them deciding to take live chickens, bunnies, etc. A big no, no!
That being said... I wouldn't let them have anything with fur, or feathers still attached... that sounds to me like intestinal problems just waiting to happen.
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Actually, it is the complete opposite. The fur acts as fiber and helps push things alone. In nature, they certainly don't skin it! I'm realllly going to try to get them to eat it all as the blood is really nutrient rich and I would hate for them to miss out on it! I'm prepared to pluck the xhicken, but quail and bunny, I'm going to push hard for them to eat intact. I will make a slit in the bunny if need be to show it is food....and no they know the difference bwteen dinner that mom hands them and alive animals. With that being said, I went to a farm with my girlfriends familyand my raw fed dogs ignored the chickens whereas their kibble fed dog killed one! I think killing an animal depends on the dog and their personality, not tjeir diet.

About the Co2 thing! I thought of it as it is similiar to when ppl kill themselves in garage w their car.... I thought they dozed off. either way, when I raise bunnies I'm not breaking necks so I respect their method. I do agree it mightbe more humane and faster to step in something behind their neck but a lot more personable too!! They have guine pigs too! Didn't get any of those, though.
 
yes they do doze off after so much of the oxygen has been replaced, but at first they do panic, at least I have been told that, I have never seen it done. I do know that is a common way that they put down smaller animals like mice and rats, so maybe it isnt too bad.

I also cannot break their necks, the sound just gets to me. I use my sons pellet gun on the rabbits. Chickens get the Ye old hatchet method

Most of the times the feathers are pulled out by the animal so I would help them out so they arent everywhere. As for rabbit fur, most people i know want the pelts to tan, so I have never fed the pelt.

My dogs know that the live animals are part of the pack and do not try to eat them, and I have free range chickens and I also allow my rabbits time out in the yard. Belle actually helps round them up for the night, which of course involves chasing them. Not once has she tried to eat them.
 
JessicaR said:
yes they do doze off after so much of the oxygen has been replaced, but at first they do panic, at least I have been told that, I have never seen it done. I do know that is a common way that they put down smaller animals like mice and rats, so maybe it isnt too bad.

I also cannot break their necks, the sound just gets to me. I use my sons pellet gun on the rabbits. Chickens get the Ye old hatchet method

Most of the times the feathers are pulled out by the animal so I would help them out so they arent everywhere. As for rabbit fur, most people i know want the pelts to tan, so I have never fed the pelt.

My dogs know that the live animals are part of the pack and do not try to eat them, and I have free range chickens and I also allow my rabbits time out in the yard. Belle actually helps round them up for the night, which of course involves chasing them. Not once has she tried to eat them.
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Okay! I will definitely be pulling out the feathers, I have to anyway b/c a whole chicken is too much for them so I'll be hacking up the chickens. I was hoping the quail, they're just 8oz, they would eat them whole.... I envision me handing them the whole animal and eating it -- You're right, though, it probably won't go that way at all LOL! We're in the process of moving out to land to have our own chickens/rabbits to raise and I'm not worried at all about my furkids. Like you said, they understand live animals are not to be eaten. They know they're only allowed to eat the animals mom gives them. I think it's so funny when people say they will turn into beasts killing live animals such as cats because they're fed an appropriate diet LOL!!! No, no. They'll remain sweet and gentle and kind... and really healthy to boot!

It sounds like I could learn a lot from you and will probably be IM'ing you once we have our animals... LOL
 
I will warn you rabbit has very little smell when being processed chickens on the other hand :ick the smell is bad! I very much prefer dealing with rabbits than chickens. I dont deal with chickens too much mine are mostly for eggs. I may have to get some cornish rock x meat chicks though.

My main problem is we like rabbit as much as the dogs :uhoh: believe it or not domestic rabbit tastes like turkey. Oh and rabbit is very low in fat so dogs do better if you add some fat to the mix, but since you feed a variety you shouldnt have to worry much.
 
marymrumfelt said:
Okay! I will definitely be pulling out the feathers, I have to anyway b/c a whole chicken is too much for them so I'll be hacking up the chickens. I was hoping the quail, they're just 8oz, they would eat them whole.... I envision me handing them the whole animal and eating it -- You're right, though, it probably won't go that way at all LOL! We're in the process of moving out to land to have our own chickens/rabbits to raise and I'm not worried at all about my furkids. Like you said, they understand live animals are not to be eaten. They know they're only allowed to eat the animals mom gives them. I think it's so funny when people say they will turn into beasts killing live animals such as cats because they're fed an appropriate diet LOL!!! No, no. They'll remain sweet and gentle and kind... and really healthy to boot!

It sounds like I could learn a lot from you and will probably be IM'ing you once we have our animals... LOL
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I wouldn't consider them beastly! ;)(wink means I'm not angry) It's just that when they are fed whole animals with the fur and everything still on... the ones that are still alive will look just like dinner.
I imagine that it is a very healthy diet... I just don't have the stomach for it.
 
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