Charcoal?

[MiaCarter]

Sally I think that's a really wise decision - giving it sparingly if it's new.

We all know that it's easy to gorge on something that's new and good. And sometimes you don't feel the ill effects until it's too late - until after you've already gorged yourself.

[jamezyboo21]

I've never used charcoal but if I did just to be safe, I would do like Sally said and use it sparingly. My finches have always seemed fine and happy without it. I would probably use it just because it is something they do eat in the wild. I try to mimic the natural environment for my finches the best I can.

[debbie276]

Most mineral mixes have a small percentage charcoal which would be perfect. I've never heard of a mix with alot of charcoal in it.

[cindy]

In the case of my friend's bird passing from the impaction of charcoal, there were underlying conditions and the bird went to the dish of charcoal, gorged on it because it he was trying to self medicate himself. The vet felt that the charcoal was not relieving the issue for the bird, the bird still felt sick and continued to self medicate which in doing so created the impaction. No food or water could be taken in or passed. The birds had charcoal mixed in mineral grit (oyster shell) for months prior.

if you notice the bird(s) spending more than an usual amount of time at the dish of charcoal or mix there might be something more going one with the bird(s).

Charcoal can also turn the droppings black... many are not aware of this and fear something is terribly wrong.

[Derk]

I was at my avian vet with my parrot and asked her about charcoal. I should add that she is not only a bird vet but that she also grew up in a family that raised many birds including finches. One of her favourites is Gold-breasted waxbills. Anyway, she (and I guess many vets) do not feel finches, including Gouldians require charcoal everyday. She said the birds may eat the charcoal after a fire but that is a couple times a year. We also do not know why they are eating the charcoal and what happens to these birds. Maybe they are eating it because of parasites? Maybe the smoke made them feel sick. She has no problem with people feeding the small amount that comes in something such as ABBA's oyster shell mix or if you want to feed it a couple times a year. She did say that the charcoal does slowly accumulate in their system even if they eat small amounts.

I also spoke to a long time breeder who raises gouldians and who has always fed charcoal with no issues. He did say if he starts to lose more than the few expected each year he may take them to a lab to have them autopsied.

[Leo519]

dunker817

I also provide charcoal as a supplement for my finches and canary, along with cuttlebone and finely ground oyster shell. I leave the cuttlebone and oyster shell accessible to them at all times, and the charcoal I provide a small amount for them once every 1-2 weeks.

Like MiaCarter I also observe them to see who's eating it and to make sure none of them are eating excessive amounts. All of my birds seem to enjoy eating small amounts whenever I put it out for them, and I do notice their droppings are darker after they've had it.

I get the charcoal online from LadyGouldianFinch.com

[dunker817]

I went ahead after reading all the posts here and reading elsewhere with Abba mineral mix. It has charcoal in it but it's very small and definitely not one of the top ingredients. So far they have just scattered the mineral mix. The mix might be too big for a finch. The oyster shell that is. Maybe I should grind it down finer.

[debbie276]

It wouldn't hurt to grind down the oyster shells to make them smaller, I do it all the time.

[wildbird]

I just got some Abba mineral mix for my Javas and was disappointed at how large the pieces were. It didn't look like what was on the website to me. What do you use to grind it down? Also, is the mollusk shell that is in it good for birds? I never saw it in any other mix.

[Derk]

wildbird
If it is the blue green oyster mix from ABBA, I know it is very popular in this area for finches. ABBA has very good clean seed as well. I have a hard time believing they would put something in the mix that was not good. There are also birds that eat mollucks but they pry the oyster/mollusk open. I very quick google search did not provide an answer.

[dunker817]

I'm going to try running the mineral mix through my small food processor. The pieces need to be smaller I guess but I don't a powder. I've read in several places that Abba has good products.

[Derk]

wildbird
found some information at this link: https://books.google.ca/books?id=wmAPzS ... sk&f=false

Here is a quote from the book, near the bottom of page 178 :

various species of bird obtain needed calcium from the ingestion of mollusk shell fragments, calcareous grit [items containing mostly chalk/lime = calcium carbonate], or bones.

[debbie276]

I haven't used any of abba's mineral mixes. I use oyster shells that they sell for chickens in my mix and they need to be smaller so I've been using a coffee grinder to do that. I'm sure there are other ways though.

[Sally]

Even one of the mini food processors should do the trick, though the coarse material will scratch and ruin the inside of the bowl. I have one that is dedicated to preparing finch foods only!

[wildbird]

Thank you Dunker817, Debbie276, Derk & Sally for your information. The pieces do seem big for finches. It is the blue mineral mix.