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Home made charcoal
Posted: 26 Apr 2013, 06:50
by jimstreet
I recently purchased an 'Ozpig' for camp oven cooking. After I used it the other day with red gum I was left with some great charcoal. Can I simply crush this charcoal and add it to the finches grit mix?
If you don't know what an Ozpig is -
http://www.ozpig.com.au/
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 26 Apr 2013, 06:53
by vettepilot_6
Don't see why not...same as collecting charcoal from bush areas that has been fire ravaged..
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 26 Apr 2013, 07:32
by jimstreet
Great thanks
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 26 Apr 2013, 08:12
by E Orix
If you have only burnt wood in it and not heat beads or tossed in kero etc to start it.
The Charcole should be ok if the fire had been going quite some time to burn away anything else used to get the fire going.
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 26 Apr 2013, 08:14
by jimstreet
E Orix wrote:If you have only burnt wood in it and not heat beads or tossed in kero etc to start it.
Thanks for the tip, I have my scouts fire lighting badge so I can start a fire with 1 match and a piece of paper
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 26 Apr 2013, 12:53
by SamDavis
jimstreet wrote:E Orix wrote:If you have only burnt wood in it and not heat beads or tossed in kero etc to start it.
Thanks for the tip, I have my scouts fire lighting badge so I can start a fire with 1 match and a piece of paper
Show off! I can rub two sticks together but BORING, it's really so much more fun with a cup or two of kero!
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 02 Jun 2013, 13:51
by nathau
Just wondering, How important is Charcoal for gouldians?? When I purchased a few pairs a while back the breeder told me to always supply a rock of natural sea salt and some charcoal, along with daily grass seeds, greens and finch seed. I have done all of this since I got them, but have found charcoal can be very expensive. I'm not to worried about the cost really, it's just if it's not extremely important than maybe I could be buying something else that will benefit them more. Is Sea Salt Rocks we use for our salt grinders ok? and is the charcoal made for fish tanks suitable? or would it be safer to make my own without kero etc. TIA, love this forum. 
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 03 Jun 2013, 12:09
by mickw
Dont buy charcoal.......make it....its so easy.....or just grab a handfall from the bush.......there was a HR burn on Black Mountain (behind the Botanic gardens I think) last month......too easy
The stuff you're buying for fish tanks is probably activated carbon......harmless, expensive, and probably of no value to your birds....but good for water filters
If making or finding it is too much trouble, dont worry, charcoal isnt really critical for your Gouldians.....IMO
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 03 Jun 2013, 23:14
by nathau
Thanks heaps Mick, will def go for a drive up and have a look for some, otherwise i'll just make it. Just wasn't 100% sure that it was safe, so good to know, cheers
Re: Home made charcoal
Posted: 04 Jun 2013, 11:16
by finchbreeder
I would have thought that cuttlefish and/or limestone rocks would have been of more importance??
LML