Charcoal ~ shelf life?

[cindy]

While unpacking things into the bird room I found a bag of charcoal bought over a year ago, believe I bought two at the time. The one was accidently packed up with cups and accessories I was not using.

I was wondering if it was still good, what is the shelf life on charcoal....any body know??

[Ursula]

I can't imagine that charcoal can go bad at all... It's minerals. Right? What can go "bad" in minerals?

Do we have a chemist on here? Anyone?

[L in Ontario]

I would think if there was a possibility of it expiring - there would be an expiry date on it.

However, if in doubt - contact the company.

[kathmcm]

Charcoal is just carbon. It is stable and won't go bad. It does absorb at its surface (that is why it is used to remove impurities etc) but if it's been kept in a relatively clean environment it should still have lots of absorption capability left.

[cindy]

I wrote my chemist/microbiologist/immunologist Father to see his take on it...let you know.

[L in Ontario]

Just curious - what is the purpose of the finches eating charcoal? Is it to absorb impurities within their system? I should eat a handful!

[kathmcm]

Charcoal isn't given regularly to birds, is it? I would think it would only be used in the case of acute poisoning (that is, very rarely).

[L in Ontario]

I mix it with oyster-shell grit and leave it in the cages - the finches love it!

[cindy]

It is mixed/packaged in the Herb Salad. The bag I have is a 1 lb bag, hate to have to toss it. I would give it twice a week, some give it everyday.

[kathmcm]

Charcoal doesn't know what is bad or good. It can absorb useful nutrients. So unless there is a problem (acute exposure to certain toxins) it does not make sense to me to give it to the birds. I can't image why herb salad would need to come packaged with charcoal, unless there are pesticides in the greens.

[L in Ontario]

There are NO pesticides in Herb Salad as stated on this LadyGouldian website:
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_herbsalad.php

And I cannot find any reference to it containing charcoal either.

I leave Herb Salad available in all cages 24/7/365.

[kathmcm]

I'm not trying to get into a debate with anyone. I havea no idea what is in Herb Salad. I saw the request for someone with a chemistry background to reply regarding shelf life, and since I have a PhD in the subject, volunteered what I know.

I just don't see a need to give birds charcoal on a regular basis. Maybe it won't do any harm, but it can absorb nutrients and fats, so why give it if there has been no acute exposure to toxins?

There are some people who believe in taking charcoal supplements to "purify" their systems, but in IMHO that is just potentially harmful hokum.

[cindy]

there is no expiration on the bag. They use charcoal filters in fish tanks, the water passes though it...maybe the pet grade is different from the other grade?!?!?!?

[debbie276]

I've never heard of charcoal in any herb salad, I wonder why they would add that.
According to http://ladygouldian.com charcoal aids digestion, http://ladygouldian.com/content/fine-gr ... ze-finches

[cindy]

Debbie that is why I am asking, I would rather not through such a quanity out, just have to make sure it is ok to give...I looked at the label and it came from Tiffany....I'll pm her.