Chickens and coal

[stump jumper]

Howdy all. I have a question that perhaps someone here has an answer for. My chicken pen is in an area where some previous owner dumped piles of coal at some time in the past. I didn't realize it was there until the chickens denuded the ground and now small pieces of coal are evident all over. I imagine the chickens must end up picking up some in their diet. I am wondering if this could be toxic to the chickens as in poorer health, although they seem happy and healthy. I also wonder if the eggs may be unhealthy to eat because of this possibility. I don't taste any off-flavors but my neighbor claims he and his wife have tasted some that I gave them that have a sulpherous taste. What do you think?

 

[orloffer]

This link from an older thread on BYC has discussions about coal for chickens. Maybe reading through it will help? I do not have enough knowledge on this subject to answer your question myself.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/coal-can-this-be-used-as-grit.490216/

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to posting!
Coal like charcoal?

 

[stump jumper]

Thanks for the link orloffer. Yes, this is bituminous coal and I have been wondering about the safety of it. Maybe I will move my chicken enclosure. This is a century old farmhouse and there are all manner of things in the ground here. I imagine there is no way they can avoid picking up some small pieces of coal as they are scratching and pecking in the dirt.