Handfed Canary Clutch - 3/25/16

[Sheather]

My American Singer canaries abandoned their five chicks yesterday evening after I disturbed the nest to intervene and feed the youngest chick that was not being given enough food. One baby hatched Easter, the other four on the previous Friday, so he is a *lot* smaller. Unfortunately mom did not like this intrusion at all, and being very high strung by nature, she never returned to the babies afterwards. As dusk rolled in and they were beginning to chill and all show empty crops, I realized I could either hope they survived the night alone and she returned in the morning or take them all to care for. I did the latter, and this morning the hen still had no interest in going back to feeding them when I put them back in the cage, so I'm definitely their mom now.

I pulled the nest around 7:00 PM and have been feeding around the clock. So far, they're doing really well. They have great appetites and are already growing. Their current accommodation is a nest of tissue paper on a towel in a ventilated plastic insect terrarium wrapped on the bottom and two sides in a heating pad. The inside of the nest is pleasantly warm and though I don't know the exact temperature, they're eating well, look healthy, and appear neither chilled nor overly hot., so it seems to be working. I fed them every three hours through the night and ever 2 hours throughout the day today - fortunately my current living situation allows this. They're on Kaytee hand-raising formula, which I mix every other feeding with a little egg yolk. I plan to introduce more pureed fresh foods as they grow.

It's going to be a lot of work, but hopefully they make it. If they do, the payoff will definitely be worth it - and at least they'll be tame too.

Babies:



Mom and Dad:

[lovezebs]

Sheather

I just love baby Canaries. I can't get over just how incredibly cute these guys are.

Dylan, you've found yourself a full time job . You're the MAMA !!!

Not sure if you need to add anything to the Kaytee baby food, isn't it supposed to be a complete food?


I'm surprised that your Canary girl abandoned so readily. I have found that usually Canaries, are a lot more laid-back than the rest of the birds.

As you said though, these kids will be very tame .

[Sheather]

Lovezebs I recall reading that handrearing formulas aren't ideally formulated for canaries, as they need more fat as babies than parrots do. I just add a little every now and then now and the babies are doing well.

This is day four, and we're all still going very strong. Eyes are opening and we've begun to chirp when we see the pipette come out! Everyone's markings are coming in and everyone has a name. Feathers is the largest and has the most dark patches. Bingo seems entirely yellow, while Blossom is light with just a dark patch on his head, Max has just two dark feathers on one wing, and then teeny tiny Little-Bit, born after the others, is still a tad too small to see for sure. But everyone is alive and growing.



I've stopped feeding all through the night, the babies seem able to go for six-seven hours and be just fine. So I'm not living as a zombie anymore.

[lovezebs]

Sheather

Dylan, they are gorgeous.

If feeding egg works, then by all means, go for it. I know that parents would be feeding eggs. I just worry about messing with what's supposed to be 'complete ' according to the company. That said, they are looking great! Makes me miss Canary babies .

With the colours, it's odd. My guys really changed their colours after their first molt. They were creamy yellow, and after molting, three of the four turned orange like their Father.

Just wait until their vision improves and they see you coming, the racket they'll make is unbelievable, lol.

Good luck. I think you're doing a wonderful job (zombie or not ).

[debbie276]

Best of luck with your new chicks.
Personally I would not take the handfeeding formula away to feed egg at this point. There is so much more in the formula then in the egg for this stage of their lives to build their immune system and give them a boost.
I'm curious where you read that canaries don't do well on formula, I've never heard from canary breeders that there was a problem.

[Sheather]

debbie276 I am not taking away formula, just adding a pinch of egg yolk every now and again.

[debbie276]

Gotcha ;)

[Spreckles]

so much for downsizing! You can't help it Dylan your now a mama-bird whisperer. these babies are going to be a treat to watch grow. Very cute names too.

Karen

[lovezebs]

Sheather

Hi Dylan,

Can we have a few more pictures of these infants?
You know me with baby pictures, I just can't get enough, lol.

[Sally]

Those babies are adorable! I love how canary babies beg, stretching up so tall with those big mouths! Green and Gray Singer finch babies are related to canaries, so they beg similarly.

[tam]

I love them, they are so cute. Good for you taking care of them too I know it's a big job but well worth it in the end and isn't that the way it goes . you think you going in one direction and wham! your now going the other way. good luck. tam

[Sheather]

Here's my kids today!

[Sam007]

They are looking very healthy and very cute. You are doing a good job!

[Sheather]

lovezebs debbie276 Spreckles Sam007 tam Sally

[lovezebs]

Sheather

They are growing so well, Dylan. Even the Baby, is looking great.
You are doing a wonderful job.