2009-03-02 • by Administrator

The canary is a small songbird that has been domesticated by humans. The sweet sounds made by the bird are pleasing to the human ear. This is the primary reason why canaries were domesti-cated. The domestication of the birds was started in Europe in the sixteenth century. The breeding resulted in various types of canary birds all over Europe!

Breeding Canaries – How is it done?

The breeding exercise of canaries is a complex affair that has to be carried out with care and dedication. This article provides guidance for an amateur to carry out canary breeding. Breeding of canaries must be done separately and should not be done in close proximity to parrotlets. The main factors to take into consideration when breeding are Breeding Condition, Pairing, Fertility, Chicks and Weaning Chicks.

Breeding Condition – How To Find Out When Your Canaries Are Ready!

The males are the first to get into mating condition as they are responsible to initiate the process by singing. This stimulates the hens in the room into the mating state. Care should be taken so that a hen is not caged with an unprepared male. This will offset the female from mating due to unavailability of suitable males. The females generally show that they are in mating condition by changes in their vents. It becomes reddened and swollen. The female is also restless when it attains the mating condition, so make sure there are enough ready to mate males when the females are ready! The males produce breeding sounds which are harsher than their usual sounds. They tend to also drop their wings.

How To Perform Pairing Correctly

The general practice is to clip off the birds nails to prevent damages to the egg. Females may display a trait of determining their pair. They have to be made to accept the choice of the breeder. They are made to change their preference by first placing the male of their choice initially and then introducing another male of the breeder’s choice. Birds are unpredictable on their choice of mates and the breeder must show creativity in making the female breed properly with male canaries of his choice!

How To Deal With Fertility In Canaries

Nests have to be maintained in proper condition before the eggs are laid. The mating must not be rushed by novices and the timing of the mating must match with the breeding season. Fertility is greatly influenced by unstable perching. This affects the successful completion of the copulation. Obesity greatly affects copulation. The time period between the laying of eggs and fertility is also important and it can range from 24 hours to 5 days. Research shows fertile eggs can be laid even one week after mating!

Dealing With Canary Chicks

Newly born canaries take considerable time before they reach the fluffy stage of the average adult. They have different colored skin than the adults. Chicks have to be monitored from injuring themselves or being cold. They can be warmed back. The chicks open their eyes only after a week of their hatching! The females look to keep the nest clean once the eggs hatch. Once the chicks grow up and leave the cage, the parents will be in a distressed state. Time must be given for transition from their distressed state to their original peppy self. Birds are a lot like human beings; they also have feelings, and love their family as humans do!

Chicks may die due to illness occurring during the weaning period. Husbandry must be properly exercised to prevent such deaths. Attention must be paid to the cleanliness of the cages. Proper care and attention are very important for proper breeding of canaries. If you follow these pointers, you can be sure not to go wring anywhere while breeding canaries. It sure is fun to be God isn’t it?