Charcoal ~ shelf life?

[Chichireeo]

Just FYI the charcoal I use and sell is not activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is much more expensive. I just use/sell regular ol charcoal.

Thanks Tiffany, that's easy.

[kenny66]

Kenny - would you mind posting a photo of the charcoal you use? I'm curious as to the size.. the stuff I have access to is a fine ground but I know I can also get course, I just had no idea they might use it for anything other than consuming it so I never bothered since I figured the course would be much too large to be useful.

I'm just wondering how large the largest piece is that you offer that they use in nest construction?

The chunks are quite large but mixed with powder because it grinds itself down. Just for some info there is a view that charcoal from the australian bush is "activated" because it is produced under extreme heat and this process mirrors the process of "activation". Just a view!!! I have painteds nesting at the moment and they are using a lot of it for their nests. I noticed the RFPF this morning carrying it into a cane nest and the cordons have already placed some in the bottom of their nests. The gouldians spread it around all over the place mostly outside their nests, but thats gouldians!!! Theh I ahve it iin is quite large. By the way, I get a chance to examine all of the "poop" at teh feeding station and there really is no discoloration from consuming charcoal, as I said my birds never over indulge on it AND for further info the nature reserve near me had some back burning done on it saturday, there were hundreds of local finches all over it sunday afternoon. (mainly chestnuts)

[fabulousfinch]

As an ex hippie that has lived in a tent...in the woods for several years, I have witnessed birds visiting the cooled campfire in the morning to sample the burnt coals left behind from the wood. Sometimes there would be a whole flock outside my tent I have seen them take a piece to a nearby hard surface and peck it into smaller pieces. Swallowing some and then carrying back some.

Hi Candace,

That's a great story! Also, Kenny's observation of finches at a local burn...

"for further info the nature reserve near me had some back burning done on it saturday, there were hundreds of local finches all over it sunday afternoon. (mainly chestnuts)."

Its hard to argue with natural behavior

Bill

[cindy]

Bill, would it matter if the charcoal was on pine bark...any harm in using that?

[Sharona]

One question about the pine park charcoal - since the wood has been burned would you have to worry about any unknown pesticides that might have been used prior to burning?

Each spring we trim our tree line behind our property and I know we don't use pesticides so I may try using a tiny bit of that after the burn.

This has been an extremely informative topic!

[cindy]

Since the pines I am referring to are in a protected park, it is not treated with pesticides. According to my husband most pesticides outside break down in about a week. By burning it they would be broken down even more.

What kind of tree is it?

[Sharona]

Good to know! Although I don't use pesticides myself I was wondering about them traveling from elsewhere.

[fabulousfinch]

Bill, would it matter if the charcoal was on pine bark...any harm in using that?

Hi Cindy,

Sorry, I've been away from the forum for the past few days. I'm not familiar with the safe woods used for avian charcoal here in the U.S. Let me know when you find out!

Take care,

Bill

[cindy]

Will do Bill!