FINCHforum

So I got a pair of fifes, and they're thinking of nesting - already laid an egg. Problem is any nesting material I give them - coconut fiber and string (we call it like that - its specifically for nesting) ends up separated in a kind of wool and left at bottom of cage. Nest is empty apart from the egg. What can I do?

What I provided is in the plastic "bin"...other was on cage floor - got 12 other nests already

Hello Malti, How old are your birdies? I think you should give them a ready nest, just get hold of Mother Pads, stick a tape under it and firmly place it in the plastic nest.

Malti, this is a sort of false nesting. Sometimes there are a few eggs laid, but no proper nest is built. Earlier today there was a questions about the lighting for canaries, and there is an explanation there. Days that gradually get longer will trigger the hen to build a proper nest, and trigger the male to be ready for her.

What is the lighting schedule for your canaries?

14 hrs light, already have 12 pairs nesting. Could be its first time for the hen?

Could be the first time, yes. Or, I don't know what. With one slow hen and 12 others that are OK, it sounds like you're doing well! Are they all in the same room, and she can hear males singing?

dave

yes same room - i use rack breeding cages, so they're all in the same area

Malti, I asked a long-time canary breeder once about rack breeding cages. The question was: do you see more or less babies from the birds in the lower cages?

He said he can't tell any difference between birds in the upper or lower cages.

Do you see a difference?

On average its the same but last year had a couple more from bottom 3. New stock this year so not sure what to expect

Malti i had a hen ladt year who didnt like the coconut fiber, so i placed cotton balls and tissue paper for her, and she used them.
I also used nest felts and helped abit by covering it with cotton and she did the rest.

In a cage a meter or so away...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcWfnqDUGS8