One of the benefits of moving to Maine a decade ago, at least for me, was the proliferation of lobster.

It's sold everywhere. There are lobster shacks dotting the coast, and live lobsters in tanks sold at every grocery store. 

Frozen, cooked lobster tails are also available pretty much everywhere. 

And the best part is how inexpensive lobster is for most of the year. 

During the summer tourist season, prices go up naturally, and lobster rolls have been topping $30 lately, but during the off-season, we can usually buy lobsters for around $7.99/pound, making it even cheaper than steak or even chicken at times! 

I would MUCH rather eat lobster than steak. (And I personally have a hard time eating chicken, as you can imagine.)

All that to say, I eat far more lobster than I probably have the right to. And since our chickens get almost all of our kitchen leftovers, that means they get lobster as well.

And without fail, any time I share a photo or video of the chickens enjoying the remains of our lobster dinner, I invariably am met with surprise and comments from people saying, "chickens eat lobster?"

Can Chickens Eat Lobster?

And the answer is, not only can chickens eat lobster, they love it! 

Obviously I only share the picked-over shells with them after we've eaten the meat out of the claws and tails, but the chickens still love to pick out the tiny pieces of body meat. 

They will also eat the tomalley (that green stuff inside the body), and any roe (eggs). Sometimes if the shells are soft, the chickens will pick the legs and tail fans (not sure what they're actually called) apart to get at the meat inside. 

Letting your flock pick over the shells is also a great enrichment activity for them. It definitely keeps them busy for awhile as they pick the shells clean!

Great Calcium Supplement

As for the lobster shells, they dry out pretty quickly in the sun and elements. They will get brittle and become really easy to crush into tiny pieces. 

You can crush them with a hammer, or your food processor, or use a mortar and pestle.  And then they become a great source of calcium (and protein) for your flock. 

Health Benefits of Lobster Meat

Although lobster gets a bad rap for being high in cholesterol, fat, and sodium, most of that is actually attributable to the butter or mayo it's often served with. But the plain meat is actually very nutritious. 

Lobster meat does contain a fair amount of cholesterol, but dietary cholesterol has been proven to not be the cause of high cholesterol in many people. 

Much like eggs, lobster's cholesterol doesn't raise cholesterol as much as eating foods high in saturated fat do. Lobster is classified as a lean protein. It contains 19 grams of protein in each 3-ounce portion.

Lobster also contains multiple beneficial nutrients and vitamins including:

• Copper, which increases beneficial iron levels
• Iodine
• Omega 3s
• Phosphorus
• Selenium
• Vitamin B12

These nutrients contribute to heart health, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation in humans and animals.

Since lobster meat does contain fair amounts of mercury and sodium, it should be fed as an occasional treat for chickens. Like everything else. Everything in moderation. 

But next time you enjoy a lobster dinner, be sure to share some with your flock.