A big, big, big, thank you

[Ginene]

Congrats!!! Beautiful canaries!!!

[Stevie]

Your canaries are beautiful!!

Thank you very much

[MiaCarter]

Stevie -- I'd definitely find out on their ages. I try to get exact hatch dates whenever possible just for record keeping.

CPQ = chinese painted quail?

[lovezebs]

Stevie
Hi Guy.
Sweet birds.
As the proud Mom of Luciano, my red factor canary boy, I can say that they are lovely little companions. I find that Canaries tend to be more friendly than finches when it comes to people and bond more easily to their human guardians.
Goodluck with your new little friends.

[Corkysgirl]

lovezebs That's so good to hear. I have no real experience with them and wondered about that. I just really want a yellow, cheery singing bird, especially now that I lost my sweet girl bird after 10 years. There's an empty place and all the birds are feeling it. I may have to travel far to get it but I'm determined!

[Stevie]

CPQ = chinese painted quail?

Yes that's right. Will be here soon. Hoping to get them quite hand tame.

[Stevie]

my red factor canary boy

Thank you. Red Factors blow my mind, how did we get them that colour, they are so beautiful

[Sally]

Red factor canaries originally came about as fertile hybrids between the domestic canary and the Red Siskin. So many of the Red Siskins were trapped for the cage bird trade that they are now listed as endangered and are protected in Venezuela. In fact, that country is working very hard to revitalize this species. In the U.S., you have to have a permit to keep/breed Red Siskins. The band secretary for the NFSS is one of a small number of breeders in the U.S. working with this species and with the Venezuelan government.

Today, breeders maintain that color with color feeding various products that enhance that red color.

[lovezebs]

Corkysgirl
Good luck with finding a little singing boy. Too bad you're not here. Luciano' s breeder, has over two hundred canaries in his aviary, of every shape, colour and size. My Italian fellow has many shades of yellow, greens, red factors, whites, frosted shades, dark almost coppery shade, brownish tints, German rollers, Spanish timbrado, American singers and everything in between. At sunrise and sunset, you get dozens of canaries singing and let me tell you, that is an impressive sound.
I wonder why you can't get them in Maine. Maybe you should take a trip into Canada, get yourself a boy and a girl and start a Canary dynasty.

[Corkysgirl]

lovezebs That sounds great...and that's what I had in Maryland, birds galore! I'm sure there are some...somewhere in Maine. It's finding them. I don't get get out much. We went to the Avian vet Saturday so took advantage and stopped at a couple pet stores. We didn't find even one and that was 100 miles from me. There is nothing anywhere near me. Bird Supply of New Hampshire has them which may be where we go but we need to find a good time around some work/dr. issues. It will happen.

[lovezebs]

Corkysgirl
If you have an avian vet, ask if they know of any breeders in your area. Goodluck.

@Stevie
As Sally mentioned, the red factor was originally a mixture of Canary/Red Siskin.
The really dark reds that you see places, are colour fed. You can usually achieve a nice Orange with just natural foods, such as carrots, beets and other dark red/orange veggies. If you want to achieve the really dark reds you need to feed colour food all year around. It's a personal choice, and something you have to be careful with, as too much can be harmful. ALSO, you have to have a red factor to begin with....your yellow or green canary will not turn red, no matter what you do .

[Stevie]

So many of the Red Siskins were trapped for the cage bird trade that they are now listed as endangered and are protected in Venezuela. In fact, that country is working very hard to revitalize this species.

I'm so pleased to hear they are getting the protection they need now, I hope the conservation efforts are successful. Sally, this is fascinating background. As an artist I intuitively get colours in nature and breeding, I could not see how that red could come form canary coloration, it is just not in there. Very interesting. I may have to read more about this.

You can usually achieve a nice Orange with just natural foods, such as carrots, beets and other dark red/orange veggies.

This is really interesting, maybe something I would consider. Although we tend to eat a 99% organic diet and mostly eat veggies which are in season. I have got this food which is supposed to enhance colour (not found organic canary seed yet). Does anyone know if this seed mix is good? The reason I got it is it's supposed to be a good complete food, while I learn what is out there.

Premium Xtra Vital Seed Mix

I have to add, organic eating is something I am passionate about - Yet our pets must have the best food/diet regardless of how my partner and I like to eat. So organic is not always achievable/affordable or, best for their health, with our cats we mange 50% or organic which I am happy to with.