charcoal - bad for birds?

[Derk]

Hello everyone. I know from doing a search that a lot of you supplement with charcoal. I also know it is included in the 'stickie' for Cando's mineral mix.

My concern - I have read that charcoal can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins such as A, B2, and K, resulting in deficiencies.

Is anyone else aware of this?

[debbie276]

I have always offered charcoal in my mineral mix. Charcoal is an excellent avian digestive aid. Helps to fight hyper-acidity and sweetens the stomach and crop. It is also an additional source of minerals and helps eliminate toxins.
Even the wild birds seek out charcoal to eat and has been well documented.
I think it will always be one of those controversial subjects.

[Derk]

I have been wondering if the amount is the important point - a little is ok - too much is toxic for the bird.

I know Lady Gouldian used to have an article about "A Dish of Dirt" and it included charcoal. I went to her sight last night to look it up but I could only find a couple references to her article but no actual article. I sent her an email and asked if there was a particular reason I could not find it. I will post her response if/when I get it.

Dr. Foster's and Smith say not to feed it. They refer to the possibility of vit. deficiency.

[Sally]

I also add charcoal to my mineral mix, though it is not a large amount. Sorry, I can't guess how much, I just dump some in when I am making up a batch.

[MiaCarter]

I offer charcoal in moderation. I offer it two days a week and two consecutive weeks every 6 months (a sort of ''detox/cleanse week'').
And I don't bother offering supplements on those two days/two weeks because they'd just get sopped up by the charcoal.

I don't offer it all the time free choice because I've had two cases of crop impaction involving charcoal (once it was an Amazon; other time was a cockatoo).

Some birds will literally eat it to excess. And I have a few finches who are very, very keen on it.....a bit too keen and I also worry about deficiencies.

Though I do offer Herb Salad free choice, which has a couple dozen different herbs in there, each with different nutrients/vitamins/minerals. And I believe that they instinctively know which foods will meet their precise dietary needs. So between the Herb Salad and the wide variety of food offerings, I like to hope that my guys don't form deficiencies.