How to make your own crab shell meal

Thai_Lights

Well-Known Member
Hey fellas,
I used to be a Dungeness crab fishermen and I have a tonne of crab shells every year to my exposal. How do I make crab shell meal that is the same as store bought?
 

Thai_Lights

Well-Known Member
any crustacean meal will have a relatively similar NPK. i agree, rinse, dry, crush. nothing else needed to be done.
Shluby - when crabs die they give off a toxin I believe that kills other crabs. Wonder if there is any boiling process that needs to happen. Was wondering if you use the legs also or just the back shell of the crab? Also to prove that it has the same NPK I was wondering if I should send a sample away for testing?
 

ShLUbY

Well-Known Member
Shluby - when crabs die they give off a toxin I believe that kills other crabs. Wonder if there is any boiling process that needs to happen. Was wondering if you use the legs also or just the back shell of the crab? Also to prove that it has the same NPK I was wondering if I should send a sample away for testing?
I think the shell comp just goes with it being made of the same material... chitin. there may be some slight variance in NPK, but probably not enough to worry about. also, those toxins will be washed away. crab shells are very dense, and likely would not absorb that toxin, and would easily be washed out IMO. I'm just speculating, but can't be far off. I would use whatever shell you have. it's all made of the same stuff!
 

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
No real need for testing as all shells for crustaceans are mainly just thin alternating layers of chitin and calcium carbonate.

The tricky part is the equipment to crunch it small enough to become available sometime in your lifetime. The CaCO3 is really resistant to breaking down and the particle size (mesh size), has a huge role in availability.

Wet
 

thumper60

Well-Known Member
Shluby - when crabs die they give off a toxin I believe that kills other crabs. Wonder if there is any boiling process that needs to happen. Was wondering if you use the legs also or just the back shell of the crab? Also to prove that it has the same NPK I was wondering if I should send a sample away for testing?
crush it run it thur compost pile,they got stuff around me its called surf an turf,ground up lobster shells an cow shit cooked for 4 months great stuff
 

Thai_Lights

Well-Known Member
No real need for testing as all shells for crustaceans are mainly just thin alternating layers of chitin and calcium carbonate.

The tricky part is the equipment to crunch it small enough to become available sometime in your lifetime. The CaCO3 is really resistant to breaking down and the particle size (mesh size), has a huge role in availability.

Wet
Any suggestions on how I could crush the crab shell down small enough on a medium to larger scale?
 

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
Any suggestions on how I could crush the crab shell down small enough on a medium to larger scale?
No idea.

I'm sure there is specialized equipment for larger amounts, but like for a ton or less/year finding a scaled down crusher/grinder is ?????

Wet
 

Thai_Lights

Well-Known Member
probably ammonia, all organic beings give off ammonia when they decay.... ever tried sniffing the bleach bottle, or wait too long to clean out the kitty litter tray?
I'm a dog guy. But I get what you are saying..... anyone here have experience using their own crab shells?
 

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
Shouldn't you be able to use a blender with crab shells? It's oyster shells that are a pain in the fucking ass, takes me an f350 diesel at that point lol.
 

Thai_Lights

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure I have a $700 vitamix wasn't planning to bust crab shells in there. Going to buy one of those ninjas to see how well it will work. For people using the fix it mix wouldn't it be nice to supply your own crab shell meal and only have to buy neem and kelp?
 
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