Canary husbandry – tips and tricksThe pretty little canaries, as their name suggests, are originally from the Canary Islands, but are also native to the Azores and Madeira Island, so in a temperate climate. In Central Europe birds are kept indoors or in a protected aviary. The more freedom of movement birds have, the more comfortable they feel.
Keeping canaries – this is what you should consider
Before buying canaries, find out if they are suitable for you. In addition you should consider some basics important for the animals. Firstly, canaries are not cuddly animals. Do not like direct contact with humans so much. If you decide for these birds, the
Enjoy watching them and listening to their song are in the foreground. However, you should also consider that the song is sometimes very loud – and that for ten to twelve years. On the other hand canaries are neither loners nor pronounced swarm birds. Ideal is therefore the attitude of pairs from male. Female or female only birds. Roosters do not form a harmonious community. Before the new roommates move in with you, you should already purchase a cage and the necessary accessories, so that you can quickly free the birds from the transport packaging.
The basic equipment for the birds includes:
– a cage or aviary with the minimum dimensions W 80 x H 60 x D 50 cm – suitable bowls for food and water, if possible made of stainless steel – water dispenser – perches and swing made of wood – bird sand – bird food – bird grit – cuttlebone as a sharpening stone for the beak – bathing bowl or bath house – toys for varied employment possibilities
Tips for buying birds
You should buy your new canaries directly from the breeder. There you can already see how the birds live and have the opportunity to observe them for some time. Before you decide on a pair: You can recognize healthy birds by clean and well-formed, dense plumage, clean legs with smoothly attached horn scales. By the position of the claws you can see whether it may have come to a sibling pairing. Three of the claws should be forward. Showing one to the back. Healthy birds are lively to lively and very attentive.
Keeping canary: The first days in the new home
The location you choose for the cage or aviary already influences the well-being of your birds. A place once chosen should not be changed later, if possible. The birds feel especially safe in a elevated suspended or erected cage in a draught-free place with constant temperatures. The distance to televisions and music systems, but also to other electrical appliances such as refrigerators and extractor hoods should be sufficiently large, so that the birds are not bothered by noise and heat vapors.
A window place is nice for canary keeping, but not directly in the sun. Canaries love the sun, but they also need shade. After a Acclimatization period of about a week you can give your birds the opportunity for free flight for the first time. Make sure doors and windows are closed so your birds do not succumb to the desire for freedom. Since the birds cannot see window panes, you should first keep the curtains closed. You can then open it a little more each day until the birds know their environment sufficiently well. Make sure that the birds cannot fall behind high cupboards, if necessary cover the gaps between the cupboard and the wall. Poisonous green plants should be removed from the apartment. With the non-poisonous plants you must take into account that they will be eaten.
Menu for the canaries attitude and cage care
In pet shops you will find ready-made grain mixtures for canaries, which are well suited as basic food suitable. In addition, your new co-inhabitants like very much lettuce leaves or also once a piece of apple and other fruit or vegetable. Green plants and twigs from nature are a welcome change. You should do without nibble sticks when keeping canaries. Offer the birds instead regularly some cob millet. You can find more valuable tips in our guide to feeding birds properly.
If you want to keep canaries, you may use the regular cage care do not forget. An unclean environment results in diseases. Therefore, regularly replace the bird sand, rinse the pots daily and thoroughly clean the entire cage at least once a month.