Killer Mother Canary

[MiaCarter]

TailFeathers
I disagree. There are some hens and cocks who are "killers" regarding their babies, but often times this behavior is related to environment, feeling the nesting site is not safe, not enough food, wanting to start another clutch, etc. If this a young hen, she may need to mature and be given a different mate too. I wouldn't give up on her after two clutches, but I'd definitely wait until next breeding season to see if maturity is the problem. Then, if she tried again (I'd intervene asap, of course) I'd not let her breed again.

Agreed with this.

Infanticide is not always an engrained behavior.
It doesn't make her 'evil' or a bad bird.
It doesn't mean her chicks will behave in the same manner.
It just means she's not a great parent right now, in this particular circumstance.
And that also doesn't mean she can't be a good pet.

I wouldn't put her down if she still fails at parenting again. I hope you agree that her life is worth more than just her ability to breed and raise chicks.
You could simply enjoy her for her beauty. Or sell her to someone who's just seeking a pet (though I would be transparent about the fact that she has killed her babies so they know this and don't breed her.)
In fact, she could even still have value to a breeding program if she has a good temperament, good physical form and robust health. She would still have value for her ability to produce eggs that give rise to healthy chicks. You could simply pull any eggs and foster them to another bird.
Or if she's a good incubator, you could use her to incubate eggs.

If you chose to stop breeding her, I would do so because she poses a risk to the babies; not because she could potentially pass along this behavior. In reality, the chances of that occurring are quite remote because the chances of her just being an "evil" bird who kills for not reason are quite remote. (Particularly if she's a nice bird otherwise. In that case, she didn't go crazy. She went canary.)
And if she did create a chick that grew up to kill its young, then I would seriously look at the breeding program, not the bird. Anecdotally, there are birds who harm their young for no apparent reason. But in a vast majority of cases, the problem is traced back to young age and under developed instincts or an environmental issue.)

[steve]

Hi all

Let's go back to the beginning, I purchased 2 pairs of Fife Canaries and 2 pair of Lizard Canaries, all from a well known breeder in my area. They placed in double breeder cages in an environment similar to where they came from. The food given is seed, egg food, grated carrot and some greens. As soon as Spring arrived I noticed the intentions to nest, mating and the tearing of paper. Nests and nesting material was supplied and all 4 pairs went ahead, built nests, some slower than others and laid eggs. The Males participated by feeding the Hens and even nested with them.

The end result is, Fife no1 had 2 clutches and killed both, Fife no2 has 3 healthy little ones, Lizard no1 and no2 have 4 babies between them all fine and they are on more eggs.

As I have said, I will not sell her, I will give her a chance next season and if things go the same I will put her in one of the large Aviaries and she can teach the Finches how the eat Veggies. I don't want my birds to be breeding machines, I want them to be happy.

Regards
Steve

[Rox]

steve Canaries are THE best birds to use as teacher birds when feeding new foods in the aviary. She will definitely show the rest of your finches what is edible