Fire bricks and Chicks

[Maniac Dad]

Just a quick question. Used some Fire brick to raise the waterer and feeder off of the pine litter so the shavings don't get into the feed or water. We have noticed that the chicks are pecking at the brick to the extent that they are rounding over the edges of the brick.

After seeing this it brought up the question of what are Fire bricks made out of ? And is it harmful to the chicks? Regular brick is made from clay but what makes the fire brick so special?

Any Ideas?

The chicks seem fine but we'd like to keep them that way.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Maniac Dad

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I have no earthly idea whether it will hurt them or not but this is what I found to answer part of your question.


"Fire bricks usually contain 30-40% aluminum oxide or alumina and 50% silicon dioxide or silica. They can also be made of chamotte and other materials. For bricks of extreme refractory character, the aluminum oxide content can be as high as 50-80% (with correspondingly less silica)[1], and silicon carbide may also be present."

Personally I wouldn't let them eat it but it may just act like grit in their system. I am in no way advising you to allow them to munch on it. I do know that they eat styrofoam with no ill effects but again that doesn't make it good for them.

Oh goodness I am so sorry I forgot to mention

 

[Maniac Dad]

They're not gobbling it down by any means but the Cornish x's definitely seem to be fasinated by it. I doubt they'll do any damage but didn't think about till now.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Cornish X's will eat anything that don't eat them first! LOL If it was me I would just change it out with a regular brick to be safe. Silica (if it is what I am thinking it is) is that stuff in the little packets in the shoe box that states on the package DO NOT EAT. It is also what some exterminators use to kill bees and wasps. It kinda works like shredded glass.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Silica is also SAND which chickens use for grit.

I would assume that your birds just need grit. Swap to regular bricks and offer them some grit on the side and see what happens. (it can be store-bought crushed granite, or just plain ole coarse sand from your driveway)

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Tala ~ I thought silica was that little clear white plastic looking stuff in those little DO NOT EAT packages. Oh well I never stop learning here on byc and I appreciate the correction.

I guess I should admit that I was driving once and my son was in the backseat and got one of those little DO NOT EAT packages and well....he ate it. I freaked out took him to the ER and I thought the doctor was going to laugh in my face. He just said he will be ok and bring him back if he acts ill.

Okay back to chicken topic.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
That is silica gel, it's not the same thing as silica.
Quote:
Sand/quartz/silica is actually silicon dioxide
Quote:
Sorry, I was always rather fascinated by organic chemistry

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Hmmm. Most interesting. Thank you for the clarification. Again, I have learned something new and completely unrelated to chickens here on BYC. I swear this place is just amazing. I kinda knew that if I posted on this that there was bound to be someone out there that would correct it if I was wrong (or at least I was hoping) LOL

To the OP ~ Well, sand, ain't a bad thing so if they want it I see no harm, but I suppose you already figured that out

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Actually I would worry about the aluminum content (40%???) of the bricks, rather than the silica content. Especially if they are cornishX's for human consumption.
I think the OP should switch to regular bricks, and offer "regular" granite or sand grit on the side.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

That was kinda my thought too. I don't think I want a chicken that has been eating things that I need a degree to know if it is safe or not.