Lobster shells?

[okiebirds]

Read a story on yahoo today about people incorporating Lobster Shells into biodegradable household items which got me thinking about Oyster shells. Further reading and researching indicates that in addition to nutritional (high protein) value it is also a source of Carotenoids through Astaxanthin which is a strong antioxidant. There also seem to be additional chemicals present that may enhance pigment/feather coloration especially in red, yellow and orange. http://www.jstor.org/pss/2463299 Its hard to list all the sources that this information comes from but the majority of what is cut and pasted was public information found on the Wiley Online Library and various other sources that are listed below.

Carotenoids are fat-soluble natural pigments with antioxidant properties but they also have a number of other additional physiological functions, such as immunostimulation. Animals are incapable of synthesizing carotenoids de novo, and must obtain them through their diet. Carotenoids are often used in visual displays through deposition in skin or feathers. Given these multiple uses that all require substantial amounts of carotenoids for normal functioning, carotenoids have been suggested to be in limited supply for reproduction, health-related functions, or the expression of sexual coloration.

This link is to a study to an increase in egg quality in Gulls from carotenoids.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... 788033.pdf

So there may be multiple benefits to giving Lobsters shells as a suppliment. I guess what I'm trying to get at is does anyone think that ground lobster shells would harm finches? A good hard boiling and drying would kill any bacteria. Oysters shells seem to be a good source of minerals and about any of us in any medium sized city have a unlimited supply of "free" lobster shells.

Any ideas or opinion on this?

[debbie276]

Never heard of feeding the birds lobster shells.
Let us know if they eat it if you try.

[L in Ontario]

I've never heard of it either. Could be interesting...

[cindy]

worth a try...but how are ya going to get the finches to hold still while we put on their lobster bibs?

[Sally]

worth a try...but how are ya going to get the finches to hold still while we put on their lobster bibs?

You got my day off with a laugh, Cindy!

I'd be interested in how this comes out, too. Seems like if oyster shells are OK, lobster shells might be too. But where do you have an unlimited supply of free lobster shells--Red Lobster?

[cindy]

Try some of the grocery stores!!! Seafood section!!! Oh...bring a video camera to film the reaction of the guy behind the counter when you tell him this is for finches!!!!!

[okiebirds]

Going to boil them, dry them and powder them. The more I read the more information I'm finding to support the benefits of using Lobster shells as a supplement. The shells are high in iodine, calcium, magnesium and are loaded with protein. Lobsters molt out of their shells yearly and then consume their own shell for the minerals to aid in production of their new shell. So possibly I'll have more brightly colored birds or I may have to crack open their shells every year so they can molt

Courtesy of the local Red Lobster.

[L in Ontario]

I find this interesting and wish you much success with your experiment!!

[cindy]

So Stan, are ya at least gonna serve it with a little butta?

all kidding a side...let us know if they like it!

[okiebirds]

So Stan, are ya at least gonna serve it with a little butta?

all kidding a side...let us know if they like it!

lol...actually I'm boiling the shells right now. The broth is thick and the smell is driving me crazy. Im on the verge of diving in with a spoon and picking the remants of meat off the shells Now where is that butter?!?

[cindy]

a good cook always samples the meal ....enjoy!

[nirep]

Lobster is a type of crustacean.Other crustaceans are prawns and crabs.Anyone know of prawn shell finch feeding?Reason i ask is i have an unlimited supply of prawns as i work in the fishing industry of prawning. Stan i don't think your idea is funny it's brilliant if you have done your reasearch and the birds go for it.Goodluck

[okiebirds]

Lobster is a type of crustacean.Other crustaceans are prawns and crabs.Anyone know of prawn shell finch feeding?Reason i ask is i have an unlimited supply of prawns as i work in the fishing industry of prawning. Stan i don't think your idea is funny it's brilliant if you have done your reasearch and the birds go for it.Goodluck

Im still knee deep in researching on Lobster shell but I did come across this. You might find it interesting or it may give you some leads for rudimentary research on what you are looking for. I just briefly scanned over the first few paragraphs so I dont know what all the article contains but it seemed like it could be helpful in what you are inquiring about. Hope it helps...

Biochemical Composition of Shell and Flesh of the Indian White Shrimp
Penaeus indicus (H.milne Edwards 1837)
http://www.idosi.org/aejsr/4(3)09/13.pdf

.....The results of proximate composition shows that the percentage of protein in the flesh was higher (41.3%) than that of shell protein (32.5%). Likewise the carbohydrate content of flesh was higher (2.4) than the shell (1.5%). The highest amount of lipid was found in shell, the value being 9.8% where as in the higher level of moisture content was noticed in 14.7 % in flesh. The higher value of 26.6% of ash was noticed in the shell than that of flesh 18.5%. The findings of minerals composition in the shell and flesh of P.indicus reported that mineral content was high in shell samples than flesh tissues. The results of the present study reported that Penaeus indicus is a good source of proteins and metabolically energy and average mineral supply.

[okiebirds]

Apparently the hyperlink above didnt work. This will.


http://www.idosi.org/aejsr/4(3)09/13.pdf

[nirep]

I had a look at your link as well my own research and it proves a good source of nutrients, we could well be onto something here with crustaceans and their skin.I also found that chook farmers know about shrimp shell and give it to their chickens. However there is a lot of different sources of protein and nutrients out there for bird keepers besides crustaceans that give satisfactory results in breeding.I would be hesitant to try this out myself because of any slight risk there may be.I will continue to seek more info and one day we might have a decent egg food ingredient with exceptional nutritional benefits.I work with a lobster fisherman so no short supply of either shell.Again goodluck Stan and thanks for opening up our minds further on bird keeping!