Charcoal ~ shelf life?

[L in Ontario]

I have read of people using charcoal (as in burnt wood) from outdoors in the bird aviaries.

When using charcoal in fish tanks - its purpose is to remove medications from the tank when dosing is complete. It is recommended to NOT leave charcoal filters in aquariums on a continuous basis.

Let us know what you find out, Cindy.

PS - I was only kidding about taking charcoal myself. Ewwww.

[cindy]

I will between Dad and Tiffany hopefully we should get an answer.

[L in Ontario]

I'm going to look closely at my HS when I get home tonight to see if there is charcoal in it. I have quite a few bags of it. I stock up when it's on sale.

[cindy]

someone a while ago told me it contained it....I'm going based on what they said, let me know if it does, Liz.

[cindy]

here is Twin Beaks Herb Salad's link....lists only the herbs

http://www.twinbeaksaviary.com/herbsalad.html

well so much for going based on someone's word!!!!

[L in Ontario]

I didn't really think it did/does contain charcoal (I've never noticed it when shelling it out to my 30+ cages).

That's the same Herb Salad information (and photos) as on the LadyGouldian site URL that I posted earlier in this thread.

[CandoAviary]

Some charcoal info
http://www.healing-from-home-remedies.c ... -uses.html
Monkeys in the wild are known for stealing charcoal briskets from the workers who make them. I saw a documetary on them and they were too cute running out grabbing the burnt limbs and stashing them up in the trees... most likely for later stash in case of tummy ache.
Charcoal in fish tanks, soil additives will eventually reach their saturation point and won't be effective in removing toxins/odors. This is why you need to replace it or reactivate it... as in activated carbon.
With the stuff we feed our birds as long as you have kept it sealed it is highly unlikely that it has asorbed toxins from the air. (same as in our carbon filters in air purifiers)
Just keep the carbon sealed, preferibly in a glass jar it will keep.
Your little bits of carbon charcoal will be good until they turn into diamonds... then I would use your diamonds for something else

[cindy]

I got a pm back from Tiffany...she said it is good forever as long as it is kept dry. It is sealed tightly in the heavy zip lock bag she sent it in!!

[L in Ontario]

[cindy]

Love long shelf life and you don't have to toss an item!!!!!

[ac12]

The only finches that I am aware of that eat charcoal as part of their natural diet is gouldians. I don't know why. And the gouldians are the only finches that I give charcoal to.
Mine seem to like it. When I refill their dish, they mob the dish.

[cindy]

Gary, my owls love it to as well as some of the zebras. I'll e miing up a patch of charcoal, shaved mineral block, shaved cuttlebone and powdered oystershell or mineral mix.

[CandoAviary]

Here is a clip of the mokeys stealing charcoal... too cute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFzVdfozISo

I guess there is really 2 seperate items being discussed in this post.
I sell the Herb Salad here at the store and it does NOT contain charcoal and it does have an experation date on the bag. Of course like any herb, even after the time and color fades the product it is still usable, it may just not be as potent. So I look at it as more of a best used by date... but my bags of Herb Salad say "expires 01/13"
Charcoal bags have no expiration dates. There has been controversy in feeding charcoal to birds on a daily bases. Some products contain it like ABBA mineral grit (in very limited amounts), while some distributors sell it seperately.
As pointed out by Kathmcm charcoal can absorb good things that our birds need, not just the toxins. I have witnessed some birds will gorge themselves with it everytime it is offered... some will simply self medicate. You should monitor your birds. You must make sure to withdraw all charcoal from the diet when medicating your birds with medications and suppliments... the charcoal can remedy them useless. Just like disconnecting carbon filters in fish tanks when medicating, if not the carbon removes the medication so treatment is a moot point.

[L in Ontario]

You should monitor your birds. You must make sure to withdraw all charcoal from the diet when medicating your birds with medications and suppliments... the charcoal can remedy them useless. Just like disconnecting carbon filters in fish tanks when medicating, if not the carbon removes the medication so treatment is a moot point.

Excellent point!

[kheather]

well now that that is settled funny! I have to say, my question was answered when I got to the last post! I wondered about medicating and charcoal and that was gonna be my theory too, removes impurities good and bad. I offer it to mine, very small amount. I started using it after reading it can help with hyperacidity in the stomach of canaries. Grit is the one delima I can't decide on..use or not use, once a month or so I may sprinkle just a pinch on the cage bottom when I change papers. Do you guys use grit or just oyster shell?