Ideal Conditions

[Christian]

What is the ideal temperature and humidity level for canaries? Currently not breeding. My bird room faces south with plenty of large windows and abundant sunlite. Thanks

[Dave]

You'll get different answers for this question.

My canaries are in an outdoor aviary with attached building. All unheated, so in December, January and February it sometimes goes below 32° F (0° C) for a few days.

Others feel that 60° F (15.5° C) should be the lowest.

Old-time canary breeders used to have cool winter temperatures, and warmer spring temperatures mostly because that is how their homes were. Some believe that warmer spring temperatures help bring a hen into condition but I've seen hens nest and raise young in very cool temperatures.

[Stuart whiting]

In reality it dosen't really matter to much about how cold it gets as long as the canaries are not in constant cold winds and draft,

Here in England many canary breeders including meself when I had canaries for a good number of years never bothered about heating birdrooms for canaries as it's just simply not necessary,

Even if there's snow and ice out side the canaries will be fine, meself and many others used to have large air vents fully left open throughout the whole winter and even a window in the birdroom left open wouldn't cause any concerns obviously as long as there's not any drafts as this is one of the biggest killers in birds.

Cold conditions does not harm canaries in the slightest, in fact it actually hardens them up and makes em fitter, when spring finally comes a fit bird will be a breeding bird

However this is all ok about the cold but more of a problem is when it's very hot during the summer months,
Canaries can also tolerate hot conditions aswell and can pretty much handle hot conditions in most countries but it all boils down to just basic common sence,

Regular bird baths, water spraying, as much venterlation as possible from openable Windows with security mesh grills in place to avoid cats and other predators, leaving the main birdroom door open but having an openable mesh door or a mesh panel that can be put up against the door frame will help venterlation massively,

One can also have electric fans running aswell,

If the birdroom is wooden it can often help by spraying and saturating the outside of the room and roof with water as this can help to cool the inside of the room down,

As mentioned wheather it's hot or cold you'll find that yer canaries should actually be quite ok regarding various temperatures but I will stress that a lot of it is definitely common sence that would obviously be on your part

Be lucky

[lovezebs]

Christian

Hi Christian,

Living in Minnesota, I do believe you get cold Winters. What are the cold temperatures like over the months of Dec. Jan. & Feb.?

[Rob]

Christian

I picked up a couple canaries from a local breeder recently, who breeds nothing but canaries (at least from what I saw). He keeps his bird room colder than the rest of his house at ~17 degrees C (63 F) during winter. He said the most important thing is making them think it's winter during winter, and then increase the temperature with the length of sunlight in the spring. This ensures they don't prematurely molt, and keeps them on a proper schedule.

Obviously, you can trick them by using artificial lighting and adjusting the temperature as needed to simulate seasons at a faster rate.

As far as max temp in the summer, I don't know.

[Christian]

Minnesota temps in winter can vary. We have had temps from 40 F to -40 F below. Not including windchill.

[lovezebs]

Christian

Hi Christian,

Regarding the Winter temperatures, that's what I thought. Being up in Canada, I know what you mean.

I would say, that you will definitely need some heating for your birdies. With central heating, lighting, and at times a small space heater, I keep my bird room at around 22C which is 70F if I remember right.

[Christian]

I have not had to heat my bird room. I venture to guess it's in the upper 50s low 60s. No drafts. I ocassionally use a bird light. My birds face south facing Windows with plenty of sun. If it gets dark earlier, I turn on the bird light or on gloomy days. Sometimes it's just gray. That's ok. In the summer I crank the windows open. Nice warm southerly breeze the birds enjoy.

[Fernando]

For what it may be worth ... as I live on the Canaries and a group of them is just singing outside, the actual tº are: 19ºC and last night 15ºC.

[Flight Feathers]

My canaries are just in an outdoor aviairy and they breed fine in spring and summer