Shrimp shells

[SewingMom2many]

I'm really new to chickens and trying to figure all of this out

I was just about to throw away the peels (shells? not sure of the proper name lol) from shrimp but then I wondered if that would be something that is ok to give my chickens?
I can't find the answer in my books.
Thanks!
Laura

 

[Godsgrl]

They will love you for it!

 

[ranchhand]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I feed cooked shrimp shells to mine whenever I can, it's another source of calcium for them, and they love it.

 

[minichic]

Gee, yet another reason to eat shrimp

 

[SewingMom2many]

Oh good! I'm vegetarian but my husband eats seafood so on occasion we have shrimp in the house. He will be very happy to have a reason to eat shrimp.
Thank you for the replies!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Great protein source.

 

[Speceider]

Quote:
Shrimp shells are NOT calcium, they're chitin. They will eat them, but they are not a calcium substitute.

Clint

 

[Speceider]

A.T. Hagan :

Great protein source.

Protein to indigestible ratio is bad. They will get little protein.

Clint​

 

[Baymule]

I freeze the shrimp shells and give them out as treats. The shells also will make the yolks creamy-great for deviled eggs!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=399985

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
Protein to indigestible ratio is bad. They will get little protein.

Clint

I've yet to see any come out that looked like anything other than chicken flickin's. They seem to digest them pretty well from the observable evidence.