Alexandra –
As far as the “chunks” sold on Hare Today, my only experience is with the “Rabbit Pieces” (the larger version of the chunks). I would say they’re likely not as balanced as the grinds. With the grinds you know you’re getting an evenly mixed ground prey animal – with the chunks it’s more of a surprise (at least in my experience). As it says in the description “bone included, may include heart, liver, lung and kidney.” I’ve ordered the rabbit chunks 3 or 4 times and sometimes there were only one or two little pieces of organ in the bag, sometimes there was quite a bit. However, considering you know your dogs are getting one meal a day that’s completely balanced (the Darwin’s) you’d probably be fine with the chunks – if there was a little too much or too little organ meat or bone it wouldn’t be a huge deal.
The whole prey animals really aren’t that bad. I started out with the dressed quail and skinned rabbits and finally got the courage to move to the real deal – feathers, fur and all. If you want to try it, I’d start with the whole dressed quail – very low gross factor.
As far as slowing Dante down…not sure if the chunks would do it. Gertie was a fast eater, I started using a portion pacer and it worked like a charm – it now takes her over 5 minutes to finish her meal. Mabel on the other hand – I’ve never seen anything like it. Looking at her eat you’d honestly think she hasn’t eaten in a week. I use a portion pacer and she still somehow manages to finish her meal in about 30 seconds flat. When I give her gizzards and hearts she just swallows them whole, no chewing. So if Dante is as bad as Mabel chunks may not even help him – unless they’re huge chunks lol
