Eggshell & Charcoal

[Mickp]

Am wondering who among us provide their birds with eggshell and charcoal.
What are your reasons for making these items available to youre birds?

[Pete Sara]

I don't go out may way for eggs shell, But I always had charcoal in the aviary if I had painteds , as they used it in the base of the nest. Also I put it in the base of gould nest and my parrot boxes , keeps down some nasty smells...

Other than that charcoal was in a grit mix along with egg shell a good substitute for cuttle fish I guess as it is calcium, but I never knew how much was actually consumed. But depending how I am feeling at the time I break up cuttle fish and a bit of charcoal and the birds eat it. In the wild I dont say there would be much cuttle fish in land... It probably aids in digestion also.. Pete

[djb78]

Mick I do supply both, charcoal is given to all birds some seem to eat it while others seem to place it nests. I have heard its good for their digestive system as well as it helps remove bad toxins from the birds also, how true it is I don't know but they do seem to like it. Egg shells are given when available and its more for the extra calcium.

[Buzzard-1]

I have tried a lot of things if they consume it I supply if not I don't supply it again. My reasoning is there must be something in it for them to consume it.

[finches247]

I supply charcoal and egg shell too.

[Myzomela]

Why the question Mick if you don't mind me asking?

[Jayburd]

Mine get eggshell in their soft food mix, and I'm looking at supplying charcoal this year as well.

[Tiaris]

I supply heaps of eggshells (cooked) to all breeding & non breeding birds. I supply it crushed mixed with a variety of other finer mineral foods plus extra shell halves for the birds to pick at. The uncrushed halves are especially favoured by Gouldians during breeding & they go through quite alot. Of all the mineral foods I believe eggshells are likely to contain the best mix of minerals for egg formation - commonsense really.
I don't offer much charcoal now as not much of it is used by my current mix of species apart from the odd smaller pieces to the nests of Painteds, Pictorellas (who much prefer small pieces of cuttlebone), and Senegals. When I had Maskeds they were the main users of charcoal & are definitely stimulated to nest when a regular freshly crushed supply is offered. I suggest if you have Maskeds you really should offer charcoal as it is very important to them.

[elferoz777]

I just use egg shell atm for calcium.

I fond my goulds love it and so do the parrot finches.

I would try charcoal if I knew where to get some.


Can you buy it from the pet store or are you able to use the charcoal from a fire?

[finches247]

I just use egg shell atm for calcium.

I fond my goulds love it and so do the parrot finches.

I would try charcoal if I knew where to get some.


Can you buy it from the pet store or are you able to use the charcoal from a fire?

Piminex is i find is the best.Its just like charcoal.Its made in Aus. I think.