.....Hiow long has it been since you last checked the temp of your Freezer(s)??
Easy to forget as time goes by!

I popped into a friend's today who had miss ordered from our Butchers and was stuck til' next delivery, as I helped load some bits from my freezer I noticed hers was running at only -14, she was mortified when I had to explain that even though her meat was 'frozen' it is the temperature reached and time frame involved that (possibly..) kills/prevents Parasites from breeding/living.

I know as raw feeders seasoned or not you all know this.. but if..like my friend this is all news to you??
Here's a heads up:

>According to European Union regulations, freezing fish at -20°C (-4°F) for 24 hours kills parasites. The FDA recommends freezing at -35°C (-31°F) for 15 hours, or at -20°C (-4°F) for 7 days.The most common parasites in fish are roundworms from the family Anisakidae and fish tapeworm.While freezing pork at -15°C (5°F) for 20 days will kill any trichinella spiralis worm.< (source: Centres for disease transmission control)

and the Research:
The effect of freezing on the survival of Pathogens..
If the science makes your eyes boggle scroll down to the summary for a more digestable (pardon the pun) read :)

Hope this helps.

Good point. I have a new freezer with digital temperature control but I should pop a thermometer in to check. Of course that's assuming my thermometer is still accurate, it's been a long time since it was certified. :)

Interesting article.

I always thought that freezers were automatically temp set.  I've never seen any way of changing the temp. Hmm.

Modern freezers yes some, But bear in mind in breeds like mine where most folk tend to have a 'pack' / multiple dogs.. it becomes an expensive business buying a couple of chest freezers!!!! Alot of people I know buy second hand, so the older the freezer the more inclined to deplete and start to loose temperature, external enviroment can affect running temps too.
   So checking your freezer temp is a servicability check!

Do you need a special thermometer for freezers? Or would I assume that if it is marked far enough down below zero that it is ok to put in the freezer? It is a very old mercury thermometer.

What temp should the freezer run at perma?

It is not merely the temperature that is important in freezing but the timescales however in most cases parasites are not a problem;  the only real concern is neospora caninuum.

Unless the meat you purchase is not fit for human consumption and/or is from non farmed domesticated meat eg bunnies etc there is no real cause for alarm.

I have tried to get hold of some chicken wings but can only find chicken drumsticks....I am wanting to introduce raw to my boys gradually, are these something I can start with?

Thanks for clarifying Tohme!
indeed it is most definately not my intention to be alarmist! :-O (appologies if it came across so?)but to provide sensible fact based Information.

> It is not merely the temperature that is important in freezing but the timescales

...As the article Ive linked to states and indeed again in the area I highlighted ;)