Putting my canaries together with java finch in aviary

[mondo]

I have a pair of canaries, and 3 pairs of white java finch
both species are brooding, the canaries have failed though (female is non responsive to male's mating call but still lays egg anyways), I have a better faith in my javas tho, before I adopted them they were already a pair and the breeder said they have raised chicks before...

Anyways, what I'm wondering is, would it be okay if I put my pair of canary to the finch's aviary?
Will javas attack the newcomer? is there a procedure for introducing them? the canaries are living in a normal solitary cage while the javas are in my aviary.

ALSO, my canaries are somewhat tame, would they help me calm the finches down and help them to trust me instead of flitting away?

[DanteD716]

They should do fine together. Javas aren't really aggressive. My canaries and finches get along fine in the aviary. Only thing I'd say is that the canaries need to be caged if you want to breed them. Keep them alone and don't put in a nest for a week or two after they're together so they had the chance to mate

[mondo]

thank you Dante, I will try after the canaries are bored and neglected their nest...

so is there any procedure for introducing them or is it okay if I just release the canaries inside?

also, javas outnumber the canaries... if I add more canaries would it by any chance comfort them more?

[DanteD716]

You can just release them. Also a few more females would be good, males can breed with several hens. My canaries are the minority in my flock but do fine

[MiaCarter]

Agreed with Dante - you can just allow them to intermingle.
I would do it at a time when you can monitor them to ensure there's no serious issues.

I'm not sure I'd add more canaries. Canaries can be tough birds, particularly the males. They get along with other species, but canary-canary interactions can be dicey.
If you add anyone, I'd add female(s). Males rarely get along (usually only if they're siblings who've grown up together. And even siblings don't always jive!

[mondo]

thank you everyone.
I will try and see how they behave against one another
and keep monitoring of course...
as of now I'm just waiting for the canaries to neglect their (failed) nest

[MariusStegmann]

DanteD716 My canaries are breeding very well in a large outside aviary, I have had them for less than 2 months and they are on their 2nd clutch.

[isobea]

I agree with Marius: my canaries always bred well in my mixed aviary - no problems. Now I only have a single male (who is immune to the mutated canary pox virus our mosquitos transmit). Two years ago I adopted a young male who needed a new home. In the beginning the two got along just fine, but as the young guy matured, he became more and more aggressive. I finally had to find a new home for him. A lot of it depends on the personality of each individual bird.
Iso

[cindy]

Personally I would not breed both species in the same flight. Javas will take anything and everything as nesting material and can quickly take apart a canary nest. If the javas are brooding I would not add the canaries at this time, it may disturb the java enough to take them out of that mode...just curious are you using wooden keet boxes for the java?

Typically javas mostly bicker amongst themselves, but on occasion I have seen them bully and go after another bird especially if defending their spot so you need to watch for this.

I recommend that if you do house them together that you rearrange a few areas in the aviary before adding the canaries....

Also how big is the aviary you are planning to enclose everyone in?

[mondo]

just curious are you using wooden keet boxes for the java?

Typically javas mostly bicker amongst themselves, but on occasion I have seen them bully and go after another bird especially if defending their spot so you need to watch for this.

I recommend that if you do house them together that you rearrange a few areas in the aviary before adding the canaries....

Also how big is the aviary you are planning to enclose everyone in?

yes
oh I see! I'll keep an eye on them
that seems logical! I'll do that

uhm... 200cm long x 120cm wide x 250cm tall
the background is planted, 3 sides are wired

[mondo]

This is the day! YES!!
I've finally added few new perches, and put the canaries in the aviary.
instantly the two species meet, sure they argue a bit about food and personal space, but there's really nothing serious and no fighting whatsoever!!
in fact, I'm kinda surprised the javas are so gentle and docile even though they're practically larger with the bigger beak.

this is so cool! I'll still keep an eye on them for few more days.
if I add more canaries it would be females only... one male is noisy enough with his singing

[mondo]

cindy MariusStegmann MiaCarter DanteD716 isobea

OH crap

contrary to my worries, its not the javas that attacks the minority canary... it is the male canary that is bullying the java finches!!!
the javas can still find time to eat, but I think they're more cautious...

should I wait a few more days hoping they get along? or should I immediately remove the male? the female isn't bothering anyone (yet)

[MariusStegmann]

No, I think give it some time. Before my canaries started breeding the first time, the male became very aggressive, but he calmed down a few weeks later. Their 2nd clutch just hatched yesterday. I think your canary cock will settle down or the javas will start to defend themselves.

[mondo]

MariusStegmann

Nah, its okay... I already lured my male canary to his own cage...

now that he's kept away from the others, the java finches finally stepped up to the feeding table! I can see some of them were skinny... the poor things.

the female's not doing anything harmful (so far) so I'll let her exercise some more

[Atbird]

Canaries do not like to share! I have enough bowls in my cage so that each canary can eat at their own dish (the linnies and the doves get a dish for each pair because they eat as couples). The only time the canaries share is when they are getting ready to mate, the male might wait while the female eats, but otherwise they are greedy ;)