FINCHforum

I have parrots and i buy them zupreme fruit pellets now, i use to buy seed but OMG they make a huge mess and then pellets are better anyway so I hear

I got a pair of canary from someone the male has mmissing feathers on his face, my vet says when a bird is missing feathers it is usually from stress, neglect OR the cage is too small and not enough free fly time.

I was thinking of giving my canary a bit of fruit pellets because I thought it may be good for them or should i just feed them pellets no seed?

Do you find the pellets make a more mess?

Hi Candy.
Personally I feed seeds. A mixture of canary/ finch, since I have both housed together. I also feed a variety of fresh veg and fruit which they love. What were these canaries fed before you got them? If they were fed seed, then it will take time to switch to pellets and it may or may not work.
As to feather problems, I would give hard boiled eggs, egg, shell and all mashed together. Also cuttle bone, spray millet and the above mentioned fruits and veg. I would also ask some of the canary experts if this bird might have some sort of mites.

Goodluck with your new birdies and welcome to the forum.

P.S. I would be cautious with 'free time' with the canaries. Better to get a flight cage for them so that they can get exercise in there.

My personal preference for canaries is also seed. So called "expert" vets may argue otherwise, but the same vet who told me to feed my canary pellets, stated that the normal lifespan for a canary is four to five years. My mentor in canary husbandry routinely has canaries living over 15 years, and a couple reach 20. Who would you listen to? I presently have a nine year old and two seven year olds.
The key to successful canary keeping is that you have to meet their seasonal light and diet requirements. Get you canary on a natural daylight schedule and feed appropriate greens, fruits and veggies (along with the seed) according to the season. As lovezebs mentioned, a little crushed hardboiled egg (shell and all), and some moulting food may be needed to get him back in shape. Just don't overdo it with these "supplements". BTW, if you live in the northern hemisphere, NOW is the time to condion and begin pairing canaries for breeding. Good luck. Bob