[OwnedByACat]

The venison from the deer we got has been in the freezer for a month, is this long enough, and is it safe to start using it for the kitties?

 

[wolfsnaps]

I would say yes as we ourselves eat the venison we eat even before its been frozen a month. I was not aware of any parasite problems although I do hear you should freeze rabbit for over a month because they can have parasites. The only issue with deer I am aware of is wasting disease which has been reported in New york and northern areas. and with that you have to stay away from the brain and spinal chord. Hope that helps!

 

[MowMow]

The difference is that for human consumption you would also be cooking it before eating. I imagine Geri is planning on feeding it raw to her cats.

 

[OwnedByACat]

Yes, raw. Thanks Krissy!

With the rabbits we raise, I know I trust how we care for them, and they are healthy, so I'm comfortable with feeding it right away. But with deer, they get full of mites in the summer, ticks, and lord knows what else they carry.

 

[chris10]

Its up to you. If memory serves me correct, its hard to kill some parasites with freezing. I would end it feeding it.

 

[Muzby]

We usually only freeze two weeks. I'd call it good.

 

[MowMow]

I'm jealous of your cats. I haven't had good fresh venison in a LONG time.

 

[OwnedByACat]

Sweet! I pulled it out to thaw last night, and we'll be grinding it today! I'm actually going to chunk it since there's no bones.

 

[Pixall]

Probably a stupid question, but where did you get it? Hunting or something else?

 

[MowMow]

Probably a stupid question, but where did you get it? Hunting or something else?

http://www.catforum.com/forum/62-raw-food-diet/149673-score.html

 

[Pixall]

Thanks, MowMow.

 

[Penny135]

Here in west central IL there is an over abudance of it as hunters now hold licences that give them more than one deer. Food pantries give it away by the droves. Many of the meat lockers process it for free for them. If you go to 2nd time around stores they give it away free too.

 

[Penny135]

I would say yes as we ourselves eat the venison we eat even before its been frozen a month. I was not aware of any parasite problems although I do hear you should freeze rabbit for over a month because they can have parasites. The only issue with deer I am aware of is wasting disease which has been reported in New york and northern areas. and with that you have to stay away from the brain and spinal chord. Hope that helps!

We never froze rabbit when I grew up. Dad would come home and Mom would dress, cut up and fry them right away. A big treat for us. You just had to be careful of buckshot. lol

 

[wolfsnaps]

Yeah, I had a duh moment there. If you cook it, you kill the parasites. Lol it was a long day when I posted that.

And penny, I have never tried rabbit before but I would like to. I wouldn't know how to cook it though so the one I have is for the animals. But I love trying new things. Ostrich was pleasantly surprising.

 

[OwnedByACat]

Not to sound cliche :lol:, but domestic rabbit tastes like chicken, though it is a bit more dry. Wild rabbit tastes much different, and has way less meat on it. I normally make it in the crock pot, with cream of mushroom soup. I did recently make some Chicken Ala King with mashed taters, and replaced the chicken with rabbit. It was really good! I loved it, even the leftovers.