eating charcoal

[Cebarmlds]

I did a search and read other posts of hens eating charcoal and it's ok for them as long as it's from hardwood with no paints/varnish etc. and never charcoal briquettes for grills.
But what I'd like to know is why do they like it?? I had the 3 older (21 months) hens in the garage for awhile to hang out (yeah i'm wierd) and they went by the wood stove and found bits and pieces of coal and acted like they found the best treat ever! just curious about it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/5/5-2/herbs_for_spring_eggs_and_breeding.html
here you go

http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/sch...act sheets/soil/Wood Ashes on Garden Soil.pdf
ashes have a large amount of calium

 

[centrarchid]

I think even wild chickens (jungle fowl) can find charcoal in nature. Wildfires are not all that rare and leave remains that last for years. Many creatures seek out those remains and consume the charcoal. With some creatures that eat food items with toxins, the consumption of charcoal and other materials can be used to neutralize the toxins. My birds seek the stuff out for dusting as well.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Thank you both for the good information. It's so weird how animals will know what is good or not, wish humans had that capability, maybe we do but don't listen to our inner selves...?
I'll have to gather charcoal and ashes for all my birds.

But then chickens loving styrofoam just wigs me out! wonder what's up with that!!

 

[missnu01]

It aids in digestion, and I have heard improves feathers. Dogs will also happily eat charcoal.

 

[Ntsees]

Perhaps maybe the charcoal might be some meat scraps.

 

[Cebarmlds]

This charcoal came out of a wood stove in the shop, not a cooking stove.

 

[duckinnut]

Perfectly fine and normal but be prepared for an onslaught of black poop.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Perfectly fine and normal but be prepared for an onslaught of black poop.

LOL I have been noticing black poo myself lately from my girls.

 

[mountainmom303]

I have been noticing a lot of black poo. I hope it is from the ash I dumped out there.