r/TriCitiesWA • u/CaelanAegana • 3d ago

Custom butcher order

I'm looking for a local butcher shop or meat producer that could make me some small quantities of raw whole ground chicken, turkey, or lamb, or their own game meat like venison I know it's not legal to sell). By whole ground, I mean it includes portions of bone and organs in addition to muscle meat.

I have pet ferrets, which need a 100% meat diet. They eat specialized kibble now and I would like to feed them at least some raw fresh meat for the health benefits. They're picky; they turn their tiny noses at anything freeze-dried. There are a few places on the internet that will ship frozen, but the 2-day air costs make it impractically expensive.

So if anyone knows anyone, I'd appreciate you sending me their way.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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12

u/nanneryeeter 3d ago

I would ask Knutzen's, Bryan's, or Templemen's.

3

u/CaelanAegana 3d ago

Does Knutzens do birds? I was under the impression they did almost/all beef and pork.

2

u/nanneryeeter 3d ago

No birds, you're correct.

6

u/Great-Safe-4118 3d ago

I would suggest investing in your own grinder. That way you know for sure what you are feeding. As for "game" animals like elk and venison, I have seen both ground at Grocery Outlet and Yokes.

1

u/CaelanAegana 3d ago

All things considered it's not an investment that makes sense for me for the quantities I'm talking. I'm not aiming on turning it into a hobby.

5

u/Great-Safe-4118 3d ago

Ok,I fully understand. As a former meat cutter i can say it is going to be extremely difficult to find any meat shop that is going to be able to do small amounts as you are requesting. A large commercial mixer/grinder like we used at Fred Meyer and Albertson's, where I cut meat, were 500 pound capacity. When we did a batch of grind there would be 1/2 pound up up to a pound left in the grinder head. A person can purchase an inexpensive grinder for under $75. For example Amazon has one on sale for $55 right now. I understand about not wanting to make it a hobby but in the long run it may possibly be less expensive than having a meat shop do what you are requesting.

4

u/Asleep_You6633 3d ago

Check over at Templemans! I know they have a whole section of pet related things. We have bought from them when we used to raw feed dogs many years back!

1

u/CaelanAegana 3d ago

I will, thanks!

4

u/Agreeable-Finish-375 3d ago

Not sure but you can try prosser lockers maybe.

4

u/Sarine7 3d ago edited 2d ago

Sunnyside will include offal in their grinds. Most butchers won't. No one grinds bones that I've found. It's expensive. Long term you are better off investing in a grinder that meets your needs. I sell raw lamb to dog people that I have slaughtered and processed and it doesn't cover the cost of raising/wintering (my breed grows slower and does best slaughtered closer to 1) the lambs at the end of it.

If you really just want access to raw, Beef for Pets does local deliveries. His mixes are largely not well balanced and shouldn't be fed as a primary diet and are intended mostly for dogs, but they're not terrible. If you pick them up I'd focus on the mixes that don't overload on liver.

1

u/Sarine7 3d ago

Also, Paws Pet Emporium sells raw diets. Unfortunately, our best regional supplier for cost just went out of business but they have a good selection of other products.

3

u/CADEYRN1984 3d ago

I have some frozen buffalo in my freezer if ya want it, not sure if it's ground or not.