Just a quick update on him, we decided that even though he does not have EPI, he lives with many of the same complications, so we will feed him with that in mind. He already takes a plant-based enzyme (EPI dogs generally get a porcine based enzyme) and we are adding better probiotics and maintaining the lowest bone content we can get away with, as well as making it easily digestible. Grinding helps us control the bone content, gives him a head start on the digestion, and makes adding in his various supplements easier. So far so good. A separate post on that forthcoming.
So grinders!
Entry level
I would think it would go without saying that using a manual grinder is a nightmare. But I've seen an awful lot of people who want to try...
The $150-200 starter grinder that most folks start out with can usually handle chicken bones, some can handle rabbit. Turkey bones, however, or very hard and very dense. I don't suggest putting those in these smaller units...
For whatever reason, I did not buy the usual grinder that most raw feeder tout, the Tasin TS108. You can read more about that grinder and a comparison of the pricier Weston #12 at http://catinfo.org.
Instead, I bought the STX Turboforce 3000.
The great thing about the STX is the warranty. Many grinders a this price point void the warranty if they are used to grind bones. STX, though, will repair or replace for any reason whatsoever for 1 year. That includes being an idiot and putting turkey bones down the chute. Not too long after I got it, I tried to grind turkey wings and the unit just died. It made horrible noises. I completely killed it. The company took it back, fixed it, and then sent it back to me, followed by a phone call giving me tips for using it to grind bones. They were prompt and true to their word. I was very pleased with them and the grinder. It has held up for many hundreds of pounds of chicken leg quarters and it is still kicking.
Pros:
Affordable
Nice size-- easy to store
Fairly easy to clean
Awesome warranty and customer service
It's a workhorse
Has a reverse button if things get stuck
Fine for 1-2 dogs
Cons:
Chicken is about the extent of what it can handle
Chute is small, about 2" so you have to cut pieces pretty small; I cut leg quarters into 3-5 pieces. Even thighs need to be cut into 2 pieces, usually.
Too slow-going for more than 2 dogs
Bigger and Better?
I've been buying a lot of pre ground food, but I'm ready to go back to grinding my own for at least some of their meals. I'm trying to save money and I'd love to have a grinder that can handle turkey for Andre's food. Also, one of the main reasons I don't like to grind is how much time it sucks out of my life grinding for this many dogs. When it was just River and Robin, it was fine. But add Luna to the mix and it almost doubled my work. Not to mention adding Dre...
I'm pretty sure I'll be going with a Weston #22.
It's commercial grade, has a nearly three inch chute, and a more powerful motor. Reports are that it's pretty quiet. I've found a few reports of it handling turkey, mainly necks.
Best of all, I just got email confirmation from the company that their #22 and #32 models are rated for poultry bones, meaning it will not void the warranty. Their response was really prompt, too. I emailed late yesterday evening, and there was a response at 7 this morning.
I'm waiting to hear from our usual meat supplier about the cost for ground turkey legs by themselves and for bone-in whole pieces to make sure it's worth spending the money and the TIME before I take the plunge.
Pros:
Power--meaning harder bones and faster grind time
Bigger chute, so less chopping
Stainless steel making it easier to wash
Warranty and customer service
Might even make feeding raw to the cats worthwhile...
Cons:
Price-- runs around $550, though I may have found it cheaper; but if I can make Dre's food, it will pay for itself quickly.
Size-- it will have to stay out or on my rolling cart all the time. It's super heavy.
I'll probably make a decision today or tomorrow. And then I'll post about the grinding process and other equipment...
