Charcoal

Uses: Feed Supplement | Parasiticide

Charcoal has been used to absorb toxins since the dawn of history. The Egyptians used it as a topical antidote to poisoning and the ancient Hindus filtered their water with it.

Activated charcoal, carbon or coal is usually made from softwood, such as linden, birch and poplar, but also from peat moss or coconuts. It has been heated to make it extremely porous and create a very large surface area available for absorption or chemical reactions. One gram of activated charcoal has a surface area in excess of 5,382 sq. ft. or 500 m2.

Activated charcoal is effective against mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are microscopic moulds and yeasts commonly found in feeds that disrupt the normal biochemical processes, including lactation, in ruminants. There have been reports of 100 ppb of aflatoxin reducing milk production in ruminants by 20 oz or 590 mL per day. Mycotoxins resist decomposition or being broken down in digestion, so they remain in the food chain in meat and dairy products. Even cooking and freezing do not destroy them. When consumed, the activated charcoal remains in the animal’s intestine or rumen until excreted. Because
it is not absorbed, it acts as a powerful cleansing agent.

A study in France showed the effectiveness of charcoal to bind aflatoxin, zearalenone and vomitoxin. The manufacturer reproduced an environment similar to a digestive tract and added the charcoal and the mycotoxins separately. After two hours, the mycotoxins present in the juice obtained from filtration were measured. Aflatoxin and zearalenone were absorbed at 100% and vomitoxin at 91%.

Benefits

Activated charcoal binds to toxins before it is excreted. It does not prevent the animal from absorbing nutrients. It also reduces acid reflux; mitigates excessive protein in an imbalanced diet; and helps the body manage digestion in cases of insufficient water.

Cattle and Dairy:

Prevents bilious waste from being reabsorbed.
Treats bloat.
Removes mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, trichothenes and zearalenone.
Controls internal parasites.
Increases milk production and resistance to disease.

Hogs:

Reduces mortality and odour from excretions.
Increases resistance to disease and feed/weight conversion.

Horses:

Treats laminitis.
Aids digestion.

Directions for Use

Add to feed or drinking water.
Cattle: 1 oz or 30 g per head/day.
Hogs: 2.2 – 4.4 lb / ton or 1 – 2 kg / tonne of ration.
Horses: up to 26 oz or 750 g. Mix with up to 1 gallon/4L of water, depending on the horse’s size.
Foals: 8.8 oz or 250 g minimum.
Sheep and Goats: 0.1 – 0.17 oz or 3 – 5 g per head/day.

Packaging

Powder
2.2 lb or 1 kg, 44 lb or 20 kg bags.

Safety

There are no known health risks.
Do not use activated charcoal if the animal has swallowed an acid, alkali or petroleum product.
Do not substitute charcoal briquettes (for a barbecue grill) for activated charcoal.