STEVE JUNIORS!?

[Atbird]

Canary moms are usually super. As long as Walter doesn't bother her or the nest he can stay with her...occasionally, the male will try to rearrange a nest to make it ready for a new clutch even when the chicks are still in there, so keep an eye on him. Generally, the male can stay with the female and a lot of them will help, especially when the chicks fledge. Can't wait until they start to color, it's like the surprise of hatching all over again.

[Sheather]

Walter hasn't even gone into the cage with their nest today, he's busy pursuing new partners outside it in the aviary.

[Sheather]

One day, these will be canaries.
But today, they are dust bunnies with beaks.

[Sam007]

So precious. Congrats!

[Atbird]

So cute, the other one is mostly light colored...I wonder if it's white or yellow? This is so exciting!

[Zebrafincher]

Hi Sheather,

Re: the babies!

They are just sweet, sweet, sweet!!! (Cuteness overload!)

Walter sounds like he's found a "common" interest with Kari, your other canary! (Hee Hee Hee!)

Steve sounds like a great mom! Do you know if the babies are male or female yet, or is it too early?

Good luck with them

Kind Regards

Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
*Kevin aka “The Old Man” – very cranky canary – 13 years old and rules the Roost!
*Beaky aka “Beaky Beak” the Zebrafinch – 1 year old – and a real, real cutie!!!
*Merlin aka “Merl” the Starfinch – 3 ½ years old – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”

[Sheather]

Zebrafincher Do you of an actually accurate way to determine genders besides either a fully-developed male song or egg-laying?

[MiaCarter]

Aw, two babies!
Very cute! And super tiny!

They are so little and cute and fluffy!
Love!

Re: Walter
Boys will be boys, it seems. I've never bred canaries, so I have no clue if that's normal. But as long as Steve has it handled, I wouldn't be worried.

I bet you're seeing a scene like that awesome photo you posted in the very first message in this thread where Steve looks like he's telling off Walter, who's leaning back a bit like "eh, crazy lady."

Though I suppose it's a good thing if he's not battling it out with Kari! Make love, not war, right?

[KarenB]

Teehee....little dust bunnies. So cute. Steve is a good mommy. Can't wait to see how they feather out.

[Zebrafincher]

Hi there,

No, aside from sex determination via gene typing and laying eggs, thats the only way I know. I was wondering if there was any other way I''ve had both male and female canaries before - but never any babies...these are VERY cute!

Kind Regards

Zebrafincher

[MiaCarter]

Zebrafincher - You can also determine gender from the nub. Boys have a nub, girls don't. It's more pronounced in some canary varieties, less so in others.

@Sheather - How are your little dust bunnies?
Growing and doing well, I hope??

[Atbird]

Zebrafincher MiaCarter
The nub doesn't appear until the bird is older, before 7 months the bird is almost impossible to gender.

[MiaCarter]

Atbird - You're absolutely correct!
It does take a while for the nub to become apparent.
(And I've actually seen it take a bit longer in some "late bloomers", more in the 9-10 month range. But definitely by 1 year of age.)

Indeed, canaries are just plain tough to sex and virtually impossible when they're young.
I don't know any reliable method other than DNA testing. Behavior would be the next best way, but even that's not 100% because an individual's behavior can be impacted by the dynamics of those around him/her.

[Sheather]

Weaver is now a week old! If you followed my other thread, however, the younger chick passed away at three days old. I think it was a combination of a small mite problem I've since resolved (that I believe I caught very early on) and possibly being outcompeted for food by his larger sibling (he died with an empty crop).

The remaining baby, though, is growing very fast, eyes just opened yesterday. He appears completely dark, unsure if will be green like mother or gray like father, but I don't see any white or yellow variegation.

[KarenB]

Aaaawwwwwwwwww