Charcoal?

[dunker817]

I am reading a book on finch care and the author states that gouldians must have access to edible charcoal. I was wondering what gouldian owners on the forum thought about that?

[Sally]

I don't have Gouldians, but I do include charcoal in my mineral mix. I mix up crushed oystershell grit, ABBA mineral mix, charcoal, Morning Bird's minerals, egg shells, and offer it free choice in cups in the cages. My birds all seem to really like this mix.

[cindy]

use caution with charcoal, a friend had a gouldian with digestive issues, the bird literally gorged on charcoal and impacted it's crop. Our vet did a necropsy and I saw the crop full of charcoal packed tight, no food in the crop... the bird literally starved.

The vet told me not to use it, if the bird has digestive issues it needs to be attend to, the bird probably felt ill and kept eating the charcoal thinking it will make him feel better and instead it impacted and killed the bird.

I do not give it to any of my birds.

[debbie276]

I also offer all my birds a mineral mix that includes charcoal which they really like.

[Colt]

I offer charcoal mixed into my mineral mix to all of my birds. They seem to really enjoy it.

[dunker817]

I haven't tried using a mineral mix. Where do you get the charcoal? The author of the book said it's used to fend off toxicity. Also, would someone like to share their recipe for their mineral mix in case I decide I want to try it?

[cindy]

if the bird has something wrong with the digestive system whether it be coccidia, worms, parasites, yeast charcoal is not going to fix it. Watch for other symptoms if the birds are downing a good amount of it. The droppings will also change, they may look black.

[Sally]

Gouldians in the wild have been observed eating charred wood from wildfires. Some birds even take small pieces of charcoal into their nests. Here is a topic about making a mineral mix, though you don't have to be as elaborate as this. I make something similar to this, but I have lots of birds.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11830

[Derk]

dunker817
I think you need to be careful with the amount of charcoal. I have also heard that gouldians specifically eat the charchoal left from fires. Charcoal is used to absorb various toxins ingested by people and pets. The problem is it can also absorb some nutrients. I have read warnings that charcoal can lead to a vit B deficiency. I have been trying to find out more information myself. Abba's oyster shell has some charcoal in it, but I would not have known if I had not read the bag.

[dunker817]

I will do some more reading on charcoal and gouldians if I can google it. I would never put my birds at risk of something so it seems I am in between a rock and hard place.

Sally, thank you for the link. I will read through it next.

[cindy]

also if you are using any medication, preventatives you must remove the charcoal a few days before since if given while medicating/doing preventative it can make them less effective.

[debbie276]

I will do some more reading on charcoal and gouldians if I can google it. I would never put my birds at risk of something so it seems I am in between a rock and hard place.

Sally, thank you for the link. I will read through it next.

I have used charcoal in their mineral mix for well over 15 years and none have died from their crops becoming impacted. It is very hard to find a mix (if you don't mix it yourself) that doesn't have charcoal. If it were so dangerous I would think you would hear much more reports of birds dying and commercial mixes would omit the charcoal.
Bottom line, you'll have to do what makes you comfortable. After doing web searches on charcoal in their diet and dangers of charcoal you'll be able to make the best choice for yourself.

good luck

[MiaCarter]

I serve charcoal periodically.
I give a small amount once a week so they can't gorge themselves and I watch to make sure that multiple birds are eating it (not just 1 eating the entire amount.)

I've heard some horror stories about impacted crops and death as a result. I had one Amazon who came to me as a rescue and he would literally eat ridiculous amounts if allowed and it turned out he had sour crop/yeast infection. So the theory was that he was trying to self-medicate. (Of course, charcoal doesn't cure yeast infections, but perhaps it changed the ph of the crop in a way he found therapeutic/soothing.)

I would wager that gorging on charcoal most commonly occurs when they have some underlying problem and are compelled to eat the charcoal in large amounts as a result. So if noticed, I think that eating excessive amounts of charcoal serves as an effective way to identify the presence of a digestive problem.

I believe that charcoal also soaks up certain nutrients from supplements and so forth. Which is another reason not to give it too often.

It does have its benefits though as a natural detoxifying/cleansing remedy so that's why I offer it. My logic is that if they eat it in nature, it must be beneficial. (I believe in the school of thought that animals are naturally compelled to eat items that serve to correct deficiencies and illnesses.)

[debbie276]

Agree with you Mia
I've heard a couple cases where charcoal was omitted from the diet, then once charcoal was included back into the diet it would gorge itself. That's why many say to have it available at all times so as they need it it's there.

[Sally]

It probably would be best to add charcoal sparingly at first if a bird has not had it available in the past. That way, it won't be able to gorge on it.