Charcoal & Trace Minerals

Post by **Hilary** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:33 pm

Question. I keep little cups of charcoal and trace minerals in all of my cages (with dried kelp in cages with goulds). Some pick at it as I would expect, but others (specifically zebs, societies and nuns) eat it like candy. I don't put more than maybe a teaspoon of each in a cup at a time, but am replacing some of these at least twice a week. Should I trust them to eat what they need, or only refill once a week or so?

Thanks!

Hilary

zookeeper · Post by **zookeeper** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:39 pm

Some finches with health problems will overeat on grit/minerals/charcoal. For example, internal parasites that are preventing them from absorbing nutrients.

But, if your finches aren't losing weight or showing other signs of debilitation, they might just be piggish.

TammyS · Post by **TammyS** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:20 pm

Hi Hilary,

Some of my birds are the same way...especially over the Herb Salad - so I only offer it once per week. Since we don't know if some supplements/treats/etc can harm them if they consume to much of it - I would be on the cautious side and not offer it to them too often. I don't think twice per week is excessive - but I wouldn't offer it daily.