Rowdy Canary Hens!

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:12 pm

So yesterday I was in a petshop checking out their birds and etc., not really looking to buy anything you understand, when I hear this lovely song coming from the canary section. I wander over to see who is singing such a beautiful song and discover a rather drab olive green canary standing up tall on the perch singing his little heart out. I stood and watched him for about ten minutes, he never shut his mouth the entire time. I'm thinking WOW this is one terrific singer. That's when I notice the reduced price sale on the wall next to the birdroom. Canary Special this week.... was $99 on sale for $75. I'm tempted, but realize I have no room for another cage with only one bird in it. I leave the store and continue on with my shopping trip.

Two hours later I'm back in the petshop in front of the bird section and the guy is still singing. I tried talking myself out of, I really truly did. Despite that, I rethink the situation and come up with a plan so I can take him home with me.

You may recall me posting about WeeGee, she's the Canary hen that injured her wing awhile back. Well she's fully recoverd now, so I decide to try putting her with Greta (other canary hen) in the aviary. Surely they can get along in such a large roomy space right?

Well no.... they can't!! The little witches are chasing each other around and upsetting all the other finches. I'm concerned they are going to fly into my Berries or one of the other smaller birds and badly injure them. Those girls are being very naughty and I want to choke them at the moment.

My question to you all is...

What should I do with them?

1) Move them into their own cage and let them fight it out.

2) Move them into separate cages and put the male in the avairy.

3) Leave them in the aviary and hope they settle down before someone gets hurt.

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:19 pm

would putting the male in the aviary with them help things? I'd be afraid of them killing eachother if you just let them go at it. Is one clearly the aggressor? You could remove that one and let the male and nicer female live together. How long have they been together in the new aviary? would taking them both out, rearranging the aviary and then introducing them back in at the same time help?

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:03 pm

You can't keep male and female canaries together unless they are breeding. The male will harrass the hen if she isn't willing or able to breed. I don't want them breeding now, so it would be a problem. They are anti-social birds really. My two hens got along when I first got them but soon began to fight. I separated them by leaving one in a cage by itself and moving the other to the aviary. Both hens have been in the aviary at different times and neither caused any problems.

I was told yesterday the hens should get along in an aviary so that's why I gave it a try. Of course the guy who told me that was trying to sell me a male canary.

Ha. Fool that I am believed it would work.

I have been outdoors and just came in to check on them. They aren't fighting at the moment. Maybe they can learn to tolerate one another. I don't think they will seriously injure each other, it's the stress it causes the other birds that concerns me. If their squabbling continues into next week, then I will have to reconsider the arrangement.

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:22 pm

hopefully they learn to get along and I didn't get canaries b/c I thought they were too darn noisy lol good to know they're also anti social! I was in a clinic one day and they had a canary, must have been a male, I was only there for a half day but I developed a headache after about 1/2 hour being there and left with one

Pretty song, but very loud!

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:59 pm

It's kinda quiet in the aviary now. Of course the lights are due to go off in about 20 minutes so everyone is preparing for bed.

I don't know if they will eventually get along or not. The male canary hasn't been singing, no surprise there, he's only chirped some. Once he gets to going the girls might get all worked up again and begin fighting. I'll just have to take it day by day and see how it goes.

StevePax · Post by **StevePax** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:31 pm

I would love a canary. I love the song, and everything. I was very close to getting one before I finally decided to just get zebra finches in the basement. I would want a pure yellow one, if I ever got one. Someday...

Anyway, good luck with your canaries. Women are always fighting about something.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:21 am

I love listening to canaries sing. The louder the better. I'm sure the bf would disagree with that last part though.

Steve, there was a very nice yellow canary in the same cage as the one I ended up getting. It was a difficult decision, but the olive green one was the better singer at the time. I always choose performance over looks.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:50 pm

Well the male canary has begun to sing. He's not going through his full song, but repeating a short version.

The hens have settled down a bit this afternoon. I hope it continues. The other birds avoid sitting near the fueding hens. Don't want to get caught in the cross fire apparently.

bluefinch · Post by **bluefinch** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:32 pm

Good to see they are finally settling down a bit. I know with my doves if I add a new male to the pen there is often a bit of wing boxing and pecking before they figure out who’s the strongest. After that they settle down again.