FINCHforum

Hi all,,
I have a couple of canaries, since last march, so basically i am new to breeding canaries.
The female did not lay any eggs so far, but two weeks ago she started to sit the WHOLE DAY in the food plate "rolled oats plate" as if it is a nest, she stands up to go eat from the normal grains and drink and go back directly to the same position, like she laid eggs "but NO EGGS".. and the male sometimes go sit in front of her...

I am really worried about her, some people told me to separate them during the summer but I don't know what's the right thing to do, and if her sitting in the plate like that have anything to do with the separation thing..

I attached a picture for her.

please help me..

Thanks alot..

Alaa Yehia

Alaa Yehia

I don't keep canaries, but I've had both male and female society finches get broody without eggs. If the female is too young or old, or if she doesn't have a breeding diet, she may not lay eggs. What is she eating? Breeding finches should have eggfood, and canaries and other fringillids tend to need more fatty seeds than estrildid finches. Vegetables and fruits are also important. I wouldn't worry about the lack of eggs too much if she is acting like a healthy brooding bird (not fluffed up much, staying in nest most of the day but still coming out to poop and eat, etc). Perhaps providing a nest higher up would get her to try nesting again.

Thanks a lot for the reply,
since I got her, I have been feeding them egg food and broccoli every day to get them to lay eggs and be healthy, but I stopped when the summer began.. and changes their diet to oats and apple other than their ordinary seeds.

I am not worried about laying eggs, she's young, it's her first mating season, it's just I am worried about her sitting all day like that..

she got a higher nest, but she prefers that one!

Alaa

It won't hurt her to sit like that.

Also, they should be starting the summer molt now, if you are in the northern hemisphere (where are you?). I keep feeding Canaries boiled eggs, plus all the greens they want, until the molt is finished.

Also, if you are in the norther hemisphere, it is too late in the season to breed Canaries.

Thank you Dave so much for your concern,,
I am in Egypt, Middle east atmosphere..
they should have started their molt by now, you are right..
should I separate them, I thought since they are not producing eggs I might as well keep them together..
please tell me if I should separate the during the molt, is it a must?

Alaa Yehia
Cairo, Egypt.

I don't always separate mine. I haven't seen any problems from keeping the pair together.

Thankssss so much Dave,,
ok, what do you advise me to feed them during this molt period?

but i don't prefer eggs as they grow bacteria during the hot temperature..
what kind of veggies are best for them, other than broccoli, carrots and apples..

Really many thanks for your assistance.
I appreciate that.

You'll need to either feed egg, or insects. Canaries need one or the other to get the nutrition they need.

Boiled egg can be mixed with rolled oats, or corn meal of something like that to help dry it out. Serve it spread out on a plate, to help dry it. You should have no problems if you leave that in the cage for a few hours.

This is what I feed my birds--there are lots of possibilities but this has worked for me: Water
Seeds
All the dark green vegetables they'll eat (like kale)
Boiled egg, including shell, mixed with rolled oats
Sunflower seed chips
Mineral mix

ahaa,, adding the rolled oats is a great idea..
I used to add bread crumbs to the eggs, but I will try the oats instead.
Thanksss a lot really,, you helped me..