FINCHforum

Hello,

I put my male and female Canary pair together for breeding - however, what I have noticed, is that the Male is the one who is building the nest and putting string in the nest....the female sometimes takes the strings out of the nest and throws them on the floor of the cage, and the Male puts them back in the nest and is building the nest (instead of the female)

I am finding this a bit odd???

Any comments from anyone please? or suggestions??

Regards,
Bill

Don't worry about it, in fact, be glad, because that is the nest making process for all birds... Basically the male is trying to impress the female and the female will be really picky and will throw things out, and the male will just try to show her the positive side of what's being thrown out ;)

Also, the male is chasing the female around and I thnk sometimes is pecking her on the head....should I be getting worried??

Or is this also normal mating process??

How long have they been together? Is he feeding her? have you seen them breeding? My males play nest a little here and there. perhaps she is not quite ready yet! Are they getting along real well?

Sounds to me that he's ready and she's not quite ready but probably not to far off. As for nest building males do most of the work and females usually finish off the lining. When she is throwing material out it means its not to her liking, this happens all the time except for when the hens have eggs ready to he laid and then you will find they aren't so picky. When you say that he is peeking her and chasing her is this all the time or just on odd occasions? I have found that in these situations its usually a sign he wants to breed or trying to get her oj the nest. If they don't seem to be hurting each other I would leave well enough alone as hens can give it back if the cock gets to boisterous. Just watch and see that no one gets hurt as you don't want to step in prematurely and lose a chance for breeding.

I had them in a breeding cage (large cage with separator in the middle - one section for the male and the other section for the female) for a while with the separator in the middle. The male used to sometimes try to feed the female a little through the separator and the female showed signs of readiness with activity and flapping of wings etc....

I took the middle separator out yesterday and now they r in together for 1 day and into their second day....

They are not always fighting, it is only on occasions that the male is chasing the female and I have seen him pin her down and peck her once....but what surprised me was, when the separator was there, the male would try to feed the female, and now for example, the male is eating form a piece of apple I put in the cage, and when the female approaches he scares her off.....

I think i should also leave them there...but is this all usual, and would they eventually get used to eachother??

Hi Bill,
Last year I had same issue like you have now. There is one female canary that I still have not found a mate for her - I got her from singing wings. She is pretty and healthy. She does not like any male canary that I pair with and she lays eggs like crazy. I give up on her. Now she is a large flight cage with other senior and teen canaries - She is happy.
For other pairs I learn NOT to put in nest and nesting material until I see they get along. The signs would be like the female lets the male feed her or they stand right next to each other....
So this year- I am successfully pair up to 6 pairs and they are sitting on eggs and having chicks - It is a wonderful feeling to see chicks after trying so hard so I can tell you I am related to your frustration. Birds are not much different than human. If they like/love their mate then it will be much easier on raising their chicks … No plucking … and no chasing ….. Hope that helps… Hanging in there ….

Will males build a nest if kept alone? I have read males by nature build the nest. Is this only during breeding? I have a nest and nesting material I added to Harley's cage for him to fiddle with. Don't know if he will do anything, maybe just carry around the nesting material?

My male canary tried to build a nest when he was on his own

Rosa

Hi Rosa, and welcome to the Forum. Always nice to see another Canadian come on board .

Would love to hear what kind of birds you share your life with, and pictures are always welcome and enjoyed.

Warm regards....

I've found that it is best to wait until the female starts nest building to put the male into her cage. She needs to hear the male, though. Like Dan78 said, he's ready and she isn't. As the day length increases she'll come along. Most of my female canaries aren't actually in breeding condition until 13.5 hours of light.

Once the hen starts a nest, and carries nesting materials in the back of her beak (near the 'hinge') she's most likely ready.

Thank you, lovezebs, I'm glad to be here.

This is my male German roller canary skittles. I also have a hen named Rosa, she's the canary in my profile photo.

Rosa

Pretty birds indeed.
Are you planning on breeding them?

Here are some of the kids, and Luciano, the GODFATHER of my Canary crew. He's actually the Father, but he rules the young fry with an iron claw . Even his grown up sons don't dare to challange him.

lovezebs

I would like it if they had babies, but if they don't I won't be particularly disappointed.
I just introduced Rosa to the flight cage a few days ago, and skittles still has his personal space set to a six inch diameter. Rosa is still a little young, so I don't think there's going to be babies any time soon.

Your birds are very beautiful as well, especially Luciano.