canary diet

[Finchhead]

Hello I am a novice canary breeder, I hope to find an expert to direct me to know what type of seed should I provide my 2 canary pairs during the breeding season and during the molting season ?
I am really thankfull to your help .

[Sally]

Moving this to the All Things Canary forum.

[L in Ontario]

Hi Finchead - welcome!! I can't offer much in the way of Canary diet though I'm sure others will be on soon to help.

We'd love to hear all about the bird(s) you have if you introduce yourself over in the Introductions Forum. And of course, we love photos too!

[wellingtoncdm]

Welcome.

[bugaboo5]

Hello and welcome to the finch forum. During the breeding season, you will want to increase the protein in the diet. Any standard canary mix should do - a mixture of canary seeds, niger, hemp, rape, sunflower seed, etc. In addition to this, a egg food mixture should be supplied -- either dried or fresh, or both. Some breeders even like to provide home-made egg bread -- there are many recipes on this site for egg bread. You will additionally want to supplement the hen birds with a rich calcium mixture. I would highly highly recommend Cando's Mineral Mixture (ingredients et directions here: http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11830). I provide all my birds with this mixture year-round and they absolutely love it.

Lastly, I would encourage you to provide fresh greens during the breeding season. This can be provided in the form of romaine lettuce, collard greens, fresh broccoli, sprouted seeds (yum!!!), kale, etc.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your breeding season.

[MissEdie]

. Some breeders even like to provide home-made egg bread -- there are many recipes on this site for egg bread. You will additionally want to supplement the hen birds with a rich calcium mixture. I would highly highly recommend Cando's Mineral Mixture (ingredients et directions here: http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11830). I provide all my birds with this mixture year-round and they absolutely love it.

Lastly, I would encourage you to provide fresh greens during the breeding season. This can be provided in the form of romaine lettuce, collard greens, fresh broccoli, sprouted seeds (yum!!!), kale, etc.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your breeding season.

I found this egg bread recipe.
http://canarytales.blogspot.com/2009/10 ... eague.html
Also another thread with a recipe in it
http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7 ... ad#p192978

Without cake mix
http://www.goattalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=21105.0

All kinds of Bird bread recipes,lol
http://www.squidoo.com/birdbread
May have to chop up the nuts more for finches and canaries

[CandoAviary]

You will additionally want to supplement the hen birds with a rich calcium mixture. I would highly highly recommend Cando's Mineral Mixture (ingredients et directions here: http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11830). I provide all my birds with this mixture year-round and they absolutely love it.

Bugaboo,
I now mix this mixture with staright ground foodgrade limestone! It was recommended to me by a breeder friend and I have been having trials here at the aviary... somebirds still prefer my mix, some the straight limestone, some the mix 50/50. What is so awesome is the economic price of limestone and it is everything they need and won't cause impaction.

Welcome Finchhead

[Finchhead]

Thanks for your reply. Can some one( specify ) type of seed that should be provided through bouth seasons.. For example:during the breeding season we should feed them 123456 etc ...... .and through the molting season 123456 etc.....

Hello...Lin ontario I am sorry i do not own a camera to post pictures , even if I have one I do not know how to post them, any way my concern now is to get my question answered if possible .

Thanks
Noha

[Finchhead]

Well, I found every person and link explanation is different than the other, so I am directing my question to the canary breeders in this forum, would you please tell me what type of seed you provide your canaries with during each season( the breeding and molting season) and are you mixing your own seed or you buy it mixed already?

I did not mean to bug you but I am really interesting to learn .

Thank's

[bugaboo5]

Well, I found every person and link explanation is different than the other, so I am directing my question to the canary breeders in this forum, would you please tell me what type of seed you provide your canaries with during each season( the breeding and molting season) and are you mixing your own seed or you buy it mixed already?

I did not mean to bug you but I am really interesting to learn .

Thank's

I'm not sure what you mean by saying every link and person is different than the other?

Most breeders purchase mixed seed that is specifically blended for only canaries. Do not purchase a seed mix that says, "Finch-Canary Mix", as these mixes contain fatty seeds that finches require but canaries do not. You want to buy a seed mix that exclusively says, "For Canaries". If you have access to a seed company that sells individual seed varieties, such as Canary Grass Seed, Rape Seed, Niger Seed, etc, you are more than welcome to mix your own. However, as I said earlier, the mix should be predominately Canary Grass Seed (80%) and oily seeds such as Rape, Niger, Hemp, etc (20%). Some breeders mix their own seed but personally, I think commercially premixed blends are superior in that the seeds are often treated/coated with vitamins and other additives that are beneficial to our birds. Obviously this would be difficult to do if you were to mix your own blend. If you tell us roughly where you are located, perhaps someone can make a recommendation for a reputable canary mix brand.

In regards to breeding vs. molting -- the seed mix remains the same. The only difference, as noted in the previous post, is that you will want to increase prior to breeding and during the molt. You have the option to do this by offering egg food, egg bread, or any other protein supplementary food. I hope this clarifies your question. There is also a wealth of information you can find on this very subject matter through a quick and easy internet search.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

A typical staple canary canary diet for both the breeding AND the moulting season would include anything with the four basics: canary grass seed, rape seed, steel cut oats and white proso millet. Additional oily seeds such as flaxseed, niger and hemp can be given at the begining of and throughout the breeding season to stimulate breeding and maintain energy. A winter "resting" diet would be a simple 70:30 mix of canary grass seed and rape seed often referred to as "black and white".
The main thing that is going to put them in "breeding mode" is 13 hours of daylight and the addition of leafy green veggies and sprouted seeds. Offer 1/4 hardboiled egg (shell and all) per bird every other day. (every day when they have chicks) Breeding supplements such as petamine and egg food are also a plus. Vitamin E is often referred to as the "fertility vitamin" for male canaries and has an affect like "viagra" on them. I always gave my hens Calciboost, a liquid calcium/vitamin D supplement when they were laying and never had an eggbound hen. It's not that difficult to breed canaries as long as their seasonal dietary and lighting requirements are met. Bob

[dan78]

Finch head sorry to say but everyone has different portions they use as a seed mix. My canaries will get a mix of Canary, nyger, canola, linseed and some sunflower through the breeding season plus extras. Off breeding season they get the same diet but I add some millets red, yellow,jap and French to their mix to help reduce some of the oil seeds fattening effects. I do buy commercial made mix in 40kg bags or mix my own depending on my mood. This is the result of my feeding a good healthy canary.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Did you really expect everyone to feed their birds the exact same thing? I think my birds are good and healthy, too. Bob

[dan78]

Bob I wasn't implying that my way is the only just sharing what I do and given an example of what my birds look like. You do feed a similar diet and what you do obviously works for you. Alot of people such as you have stated reduce the types of oil seeds in off season while I believe that they should be given all year as the fats from them are beneficial to there health. All in all people can feed what they feel is right to them.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Sorry Dan I owe you an apology. I thought you were the OP, asking opinions on canary diet, then criticising for doing things the wrong way. Sorry to the OP as well. You've been a big help to me with the Javas! Just for the record, the reason I was taught to "lean down" the diet in the winter is because that is what would happen in the wild. Slim pickin's as far as seed choices in the winter. Too rich a diet causes the liver to work extra hard to metabolize the extra fat, thus causing possible liver problems and shortening their life. The lady who told me this has canaries living 12 to 20 years, routinely. Bob