A little help on canaries please? :)

[4Ellen]

I'm in an interesting situation. The breeder who is rehoming her Societies is also rehoming her 2 year old male Roller canary. I went to a bird show years ago and saw all the beautiful canaries that were for sale. Loved it! So I guess you could say I have a soft spot for them. I just found out that she needs a new home for him and I'm wondering if I should bring him home instead of the 4 Societies? (Not sure if I can take on Societies and a canary...lol!)

I read all night online regarding canaries. Most of the material was straight forward but I found a few confusing notions. Some said that the canaries love having a hanging toy or two in their cage while others say don't bother. Based on your experience, which is true? (And I've learned not to put in a mirror because then he won't sing). And about canary nests. Would he like one or will he just perch on one of the branches I have to sleep/rest? Do they eat egg food? Also, I read that canaries should learn to like pellets instead of seed. How important is that?

Thanks!

[jonvill]

My nine year old canary has lived in his own 30 x 18 x 18 cage for all his life. He eats a canary seed blend, greens and eggfood. He doesn't have toys but he sings and seems happy. Also, no nest are needed for male canaries. They sleep on the perch not in nests.

[mondo]

I'm in an interesting situation. The breeder who is rehoming her Societies is also rehoming her 2 year old male Roller canary. I went to a bird show years ago and saw all the beautiful canaries that were for sale. Loved it! So I guess you could say I have a soft spot for them. I just found out that she needs a new home for him and I'm wondering if I should bring him home instead of the 4 Societies? (Not sure if I can take on Societies and a canary...lol!)

I read all night online regarding canaries. Most of the material was straight forward but I found a few confusing notions. Some said that the canaries love having a hanging toy or two in their cage while others say don't bother. Based on your experience, which is true? (And I've learned not to put in a mirror because then he won't sing). And about canary nests. Would he like one or will he just perch on one of the branches I have to sleep/rest? Do they eat egg food? Also, I read that canaries should learn to like pellets instead of seed. How important is that?

Thanks!

Hello, from my experience, finch and canaries have the same basic need... NO pellets necessary, their beak are made for and need to chew and open up seeds. The many types of seeds they can feed on, and also veggies, fruits, and eggfood, are enough nutrients for them to breed and raise family. As for toys, its up to you. If the bird is still young it may learn to play, if you got him as an adult, he may or may not ignore them. no nest necessary, since its a male bird. canaries sleep on perch. you should see them sleeping! so cute like a little fluff ball ^^
good luck on your birds

[DanteD716]

I have 7 canaries, and my uncle has bred them when i was growing up. I've never witnessed any of them playing with toys, except for a tiny bell that they used to hit. I think just for the sound though. If you're cage is big enough you can house the Canary with the societies

[vienneparis]

I have a male canary in a cage and 3 other canaries in a mixed aviary. They are all fed canary mixed seeds, greens, and eggfood. They all have thrived on that diet. My caged canary didn't care for toys so I removed those from the cage. He does like having perches placed at different levels though. Canaries sleep on perches so no nests are necessary for a single canary.

[4Ellen]

Thank you all so much! That's helped a great deal.

[lovezebs]

4Ellen
Hi Ellen.

Canary will live quite happily with the Socies. My Luciano, is in a flight with several Societies, no problem whatsoever. They go about their lives quite peacefully. He sings like an opera star (hence his name.)

I tried pellets. My birds looked at the pellets, looked at me, and said: You first. The pellets went by the wayside. I buy good quality Canary seed, and good quality Finch seed and mix them together for all of my guys. That way everybody is happy and healthy. Everybody enjoys eggs, fruits, vegetables etc.

If your cage is big enough, I would grab the Roller. You will enjoy his singing for years to come, and the Socies will be fine with him.

[Sheather]

I love canaries and recommend them. I have a male in my aviary room, and a hen in a cage in my bedroom why has free fly of my apartment most of the day (she was moved from the bird room on account of the long photoperiods causing her to lay tons of eggs and pluck feathers from my parakeets to line her nests. She seems a lot more at ease with her privacy now). My canaries (and all my birds) love pellets and I feed half and half (seeds + pellets) normally, it ensures they get all of their vitamins. My canaries also go crazy for any green vegetable as well as apples and grapes.

Canaries are very easy keepers but are a bit special as they need to always have roughly natural amounts of daylight or they moult out of season/too much/not enough and hens will, if days are too long, become chronic egg layers.

I strongly recommend allowing a canary to fly outside of its cage, they really enjoy it, and I find they very readily return to it on their own each evening and regularly throughout the day.

[Sheather]

Oh yes, I too have nine societies and pretty much every other bird under the sun, and my male canary (and female, when not breeding) get on great with everyone.

[4Ellen]

Great to hear! Thanks

I think I'll only adopt either the Societies or the Canary. My cage is 30x18x18. HOPEFULLY I'll hear back from the seller sometime this evening considering I'm planning on visiting tomorrow.

[delray]

I think either or would be the smart idea. I got my 2 societies in there. It can probably fit 4 nicely though. . Good luck.

[4Ellen]

Unfortunately, it looks like I won't be seeing the canary or the societies from the breeder tomorrow. I'll keep an eye out for one again.