FINCHforum

I was curious, I live in Tennessee and was wondering if its to late in the year to try to breed my canarys? My male has finished his molt (I think, he hasn't started singing again) and I know it's dependant on daylight hours.....or should I wait til next year to attempt.

Not sure about the breeding, but are you going to give her some toys or an enriched cage? She's a very pretty hen

Yes ... I just got her so she is in quarantine at the moment and I have a bigger cage that I have prepared for her...these are my first canarys so I'm unsure of all their needs. I've read a lot on the Internet sites I've googled and join FinchForum for the sole purpose of educating myself so that I could better provide for my birds. I've not seen or read anything about toys though, could you enlighten me alittle as to what types of toys as well as other enrichments. I want happy birds and I take constructive criticism very well.....all help is appreciated.

It's really hard to see how pretty she really is.....looks almost silver to me. I hope with some practice ill improve on my picture taking skills, getting the lighting correct I think will help a lot.

Very pretty girl!!

I can't advise on breeding (I'm still new to canaries as well) but I can tell you that they love to chew on things! I would definitely suggest getting some fake plants and some sort of rope/string toy for them - they love it! Mine also had great fun with a 1/4 full toilet roll, which I tied with string around the middle to hold the paper down. They have loads of fun stripping the paper off the roll and it keeps them busy for ages! You just have to clean up the mess after, lol

Enjoy your birds and I hope your male starts singing soon

Very pretty

Very pretty!! I always try to make my cages as comfortable as possible even if it is a temporary cage.

Canaries usually breed in spring (some breeders like to start on St. Valentine's Day). Their breeding season is triggered by the amount of light (12 hours or more) and diet. That's a very pretty canary hen! What color is the male canary?

Sorry that I missed this one initially. YES it is too late to breed canaries in the northern hemisphere - WAY TOO LATE. Moulting is the toughest thing a bird has to endure in it's life. They need several months to rest and recuperate before trying to breed. As Jonvill stated, Valentine's Day is usually when the veteran breeders pair their breeding canaries, provided thay are in top physical condition. Give your birds a good rest, begin a good conditioning regimen in early January, and try to breed in late February or March. Bob

30 seconds to Bob

Thanks for the info, I will wait until next year to attempt breeding. I do have a question though, can I house my pair together or is it better to keep the separated? Right now my hen is in quarantine but when she comes out could I put them together?

Jonvill

Here is a pic of my male, I dunno what color you would call him.

I would consider your male canary's color to be variegated white. As far as toys, canaries don't really need them, but don't mind them either. I've given my single birds swings, things with beads on them and things with pieces of sisal rope hanging off. Pretty much any toy made for a budgie will work, except for a mirror. They do interact with these little toys at times. Just don't give a male canary a mirror, or he may violently try to attack it, thinking it's another male in his territory. It's better to keep the sexes separate in the non-breeding seasons.
When it comes to taking pictures, either get yourself a very expensive DSLR camera or do what I do. Take about 50 pictures with a cheap one, and hope that one comes out nice. Hope I answered most of your questions. Bob

I agree with the others! Finches and canaries do enjoy toys, esp if they are kept on their own. My cranky old canary Kevin has a disco ball mirror type toy (so he does not attack it) and which he is always peering at. He loves chewing his rope toys, and likes being on bouncy wood or using a swing. He also plays with feather or dried twine and carries this around. My finches have mirrors, and are in love with themselves. I also give them all 'fake nests' which they love to pull apart.

Thankyou all for the input....it so nice to have a question and have it answered so readily by those of you who have years of experience for those of us just starting out. Much appreciation.

If you will be housing them inside make sure to have the daily daylight hours setup the right way leading up to the breeding season. That's what triggers their breeding condition, it should be at least 14 hours of daylight to start breeding. Keep incrementing them and have it on a timer. Some experienced breeders with artificial lighting start the breeding season earlier (around December) to avoid breeding during summer hot days and to get the offsprings ready for the next year shows (on December) so if you don't want to wait that long that's something you could look into it.

I have always kept all my male and female canaries in one aviary with my bourkes, finches and turks after breeding. None of them fight Im pleased to say, fingers crossed.