Oyster Shells

[Misso]

Hi Everyone. My oldman brought home some Oyster Shells last night from a Seafood restrunt. I havent given Oyster Shells to my gouldians before, but i hear its very good for them.

I want to make sure that what im doing is right, if i can remember correctly they need to be cleaned really well, then you ZAP em in the microwave for 3 mins, then take to them with the hammer then serve??

Does that sound about right?,

what does everyone else do when preping Oyster Shells???

Thanks Jarryd

[gomer]

never used them.sounds ok though,The only thing i prefer is to use a convection oven instead of microwave for eggshells.

[Misso]

I think MickP gives his finches Oyster Shell, so il wait for him to reply. i was told awhile ago now how to do it, but have since forgotten.

Apparently they are a really really good source of Calcium.

Jarryd

[Mickp]

my gouldians enjoy oystershells more than the others.
dont use a microwave for these as they are so thick. I put them in the oven for about an hour set to 180. during summer I just rinse the shells clean and then leave them out in the open for a couple of months.
then the sledge hammer comes into use crushing the damn things.

[Misso]

thanks Mick

[GregH]

Microwave ovens actully work by exciting hydrogen in the food or whatever is in it. Often this is in the form of water, fats, proteins and sugar adn other organic compounds. There is actually very little of this in shell so it's not going to heat up mch and if there is the shell is laid down in layers so there is a slight chance it will vapourize and explosively delaminate! I'd boil or steam or dry bake the shells to sterilize them.

[jusdeb]

ive found baking makes them easier when using a morter and pestle....the dry heat dries the shells out nicely.