FINCHforum

I have a canary hen that is an egg laying machine.
Over the last few months she has dropped an egg on the floor; in a food dish or in the water bath.
On each occasion, I put in a nest, she laid 5 eggs and sat tight for over 3 weeks. The male is attentive and feeds her occasionally while she sits. The eggs were all infertile.
A week or two after I removed the nest she would start that cycle again [total 3 times].
Both birds look to be in good health with no visible problems. I was told they are both about a year old but can't be totally sure about that.

I'm new to canaries so don't know if this is just 'one of those things' that canaries do or if there is something I should be doing.
Should I figuratively put her out to pasture or let her try again if she drops another egg?
Suggestions?

Here's some guesses:
1. She doesn't like the male too much; she's ready to make a nest and lay eggs, but just not with this guy.
2. the male is sterile
3. she and the male are out of sync, hormonally. Maybe he is not ready yet this season, or already past his breeding season. That could mean they have been raised on differing lighting schedules.
4. Missing some important nutrient. Some breeders add vitamin E for the males just as breeding season begins. This could be via sunflower seeds (shelled), or wheat germ, or other source.
5. Sometimes it just doesn't work.

I wish I knew more answers. Some pairs that I swear would never rear any young turn out 10 their first season. Others that seem perfect turn out no young.

It seems to help to have more than one pair. The males singing seems to stimulate each other, and research says the singing stimulates the hens. Also, sometimes you can let the pairs find each other--those can be the best pairs.

Also, sometimes you can let the pairs find each other--those can be the best pairs.

Interesting prospect.
I gather that most canary breeding is in cages holding one pair and not in something like a colony setting.
I have another pair and could very easily house the 4 of them together in a spacious flight cage about 5 feet long.
Would that generate mayhem and warfare or would that be safe enough to try seeing if they pair off?

paul-inAZ

Hi Paul

Dave, already mentioned most of the reasons as to why you are having eggs that are not fertile. These are all legitimate reasons, and quite possible.

Personally, I would separate this pair, place them into cages , where they can hear, but not see each other.

I would offer a very good diet, good quality Canary seed mix, hard boiled eggs every day, a variety of greens, apples, orange slices, grated carrot, crushed egg shells, cuttle bone, and some multi vitamin in their water.

After a few weeks, I would allow them to see each other, then offer your girl a nest and some nesting materials. Allow her to build her nest, and when she's almost done, re- introduce your boy into the cage. He will assist a bit with the nest, and you should be seeing them mating. Hopefully there will be some eggs in the nest shortly thereafter (hopefully fertile eggs).

Good luck

P.S.

From what I have heard about colony breeding Canaries, it would not be my choice.

lovezebs, I'm not colony breeding. The birds are all in separate cages. But if a female canary is fussy about choosing a mate I use this process.

As you said, if the cages allow you can house the male and female near each other, so they can see each other. Sometimes you can tell from that if they'll fight or become a pair.

If that method seems improbable, I'll wait until a female makes a nest and let one male fly free in the room. That male will squabble through the bars with other males but sometimes pays a lot of attention to the nest-building female. If the female faces him down (through the bars) with beak wide open, then he's not the one. If they seem friendly, or he even feeds her through the bars--that's the one! If not, the next day I'll let a different male fly free. Etc.

She's at it again.
I put in a different male thinking that could be the problem. They get along well; make kissy-face; he seems to be feeding her occasionally.
Then she dropped another egg. I put the nest back in. She spent a day actively building a nest from the freshly cut grasses I feed them, dismantled it, remade it and pitched it all out again.
Then yesterday an egg in the bare nest which she later threw out.
Today another egg. Stay tuned.

I'm beginning to wonder if canaries are that finicky or if this hen is a prima donna.