CANARIES
| Well, there's a lot to say about these little feathery critters. Some are prized for their song, some for their pretty coloring, and some for their type. Which ever one that is chosen, you won't be let down that's for sure. Canaries have been kept as pets clear back to the early 1600's. They were discovered by sailors/explorers on the Canary Islands. Was the Island named after the Canary, or was the Canary named after the Island? If you guessed that the Canary was named after the Island then you got it right! American Singers sing with a loud boisterous song, and they come in a variety of beautiful colors. German Rollers are also a favorite of ours. A Rollers song is a soft serenade of sweet little "rolling" notes. These beauties sing with their beaks closed. |
| American Singer Male |
| During breeding season, which generally is March through June, you might notice that your males song becomes a bit loud, and almost "desperate". Why? He's trying to attract a "lady friend". Even during this time you might notice your female trying to sing a bit. When we pair our Canaries, we place a male in one cage, and a female in a cage next to him. Sometimes it's "love at first sight" and other times, it takes a couple weeks for them to "love" each other. When we see the male feeding the female through the cage bars, and them clinging to the sides to be closer to each other, then we know it's a good match and we place the male in with the female. At this time we also place a canary nest and nesting materials in the cage. Usually we use sisal for nesting material. Sometimes well add dryer lint (as long as there is NO fabric softeners that had been previously added to the wash water of the clothes, or that no dryer sheet has been added to the dryer lint that you want to use-I'm overly cautious) to the cages. Mom builds the nest and Dad tries to help gather materials. His real job doesn't come in until it's time to feed Mom while she's sitting on her little eggs and then babies. When babies fledge Dad usually takes over feeding duties while Mom starts laying and incubating another clutch. One of the most asked questions is "How many clutches should I let my pair have in one year". Well, it depends. 1 to 3 clutches is what I allow mine to have. I also take the parent birds age into consideration. It is a tremendous amount of work to care for babies. It is very taxing on the parent birds little bodies. If I have a pair that gives me (this is for example, use common sense please) 3 babies in their first clutch, then a similar amount in the second clutch, they are done. No more till next year. If you push them, when their molt comes they probably wont make it through it. Molting is also very hard on them. Now, if I have a pair that has a clutch of "duds" (all infertile eggs) I'll let them do a second clutch. Say that second clutch has one or two babies that the parents feed and do well with. Then I will allow a third clutch. If the 3rd clutch proves to be a success, they finish weaning their kids and the parent birds wont be bred again until the next year. Now, if that same 3rd clutch is all infertile, as far as I'm concerned they are still done for the year and wont be bred again until the next year. Why? Even though they weren't feeding babies, the calcium supply is depleting in your Mommy bird. Even when a supplement such as Calcium Plus is added. |
BREEDING
DIET
| Always in the flights and breeding cages we keep Canary seed, rape seed, and Niger seed. About 2 weeks before eggs are laid I sprinkle Breeders Blend in the sprouted seed and egg foods. I leave fresh egg food in the cage in the morning for about 3 hours. If the pair is feeding babies, then I bring another fresh dish down for 3 more hours. I give soak seed to all of my Canaries everyday. That usually gets gobbled up fast. Depending upon what part of their cycle they are in, depends upon what supplements I sprinkle on the soak seed. I also keep in the cage in a small treat cup Miracle Meal and CHEMI-VIT Muss. Our Red Factor Canaries are served CHEMI-VIT Pastochemi R or CHEMI-VIT Briss Rosso. This is soft food that can be served dry or moist (I don't moisten this food) and is a great nestling food to give especially for folks that don't have the time, or don't want to make their own nestling food. My Canaries LOVE this stuff. I also put whole wheat bread or a piece of a whole wheat roll in their cage for evening. This way they have nestling food, wheat bread/roll, and Canary seed all evening and until I start my work day in the aviary in the morning. Fresh, clean water is always important. A couple days before the first egg is to be laid I start the pair on Calcium Plus. I do this for fledgings that are weaned and that have been moved away from their parents. The only thing different is the second round of egg foods. As the kids get older, I only give the homemade egg food once a week, sprouted seed is still served everyday. During this time is when I start to sprinkle Feather Fast on their sprouted seeds. This does an excellent job helping them through their first molt. Feathers always turn out so shiny. Once that's done, then Hearty Bird is sprinkled daily onto their sprouted seeds. This is perfect for daily maintenance and has NO added sugars or preservatives. I also like to give them fresh corn, shredded carrots, broccoli tops, kale, romaine lettuce, apples, grapes, and sweet potato. I don't give this to parents feeding babies. It varies from day to day and season to season. Twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday I add Organic ACV to their water (Apple Cider Vinegar). I do 1 tsp per quart of water. NOTE: if you are giving antibiotics discontinue use of ACV. |
Crested Canary
White Frosted Hen
Varigated Male Singer
