Canaries are a great bird to have in your home because they are easy to care for.One thing about canaries is that it's not easy to breed them.Breeding canaries require advance planning, specialized equipment, and luck.The proper way of breeding these birds ensures a stress-free environment for them, as well as a better chance of producing offspring.If you want to breed canaries, you should only do so if you can look after the offspring if they don't find homes.
Step 1: Purchase equipment for breeding.
In addition to the basic supplies you should already have for your birds, you will need a large cage, a nest for the canaries to lay their eggs in, and nesting material the female will use to build up the nest.If your region is getting less than 14 hours of light each day, you may need a light to shine on the cage.The male and female canary can become accustomed to one another without being in contact with each other.When you are ready to allow your canaries to mate, the divider down the middle can be removed.Specialty pet supply providers have canaries for sale.If you buy a pre-made nest, you will need to buy some material for your canaries to add to it.
Step 2: Don't keep canaries together until there is time to breed.
Canaries must be kept in their own cages.A male might kill a female if she is not ready to breed.They can keep their cages in the same room.
Step 3: There are signs that canaries are in good shape.
In the Spring, breeding occurs.When the temperature is 70 degrees and there are 14 hours of light, canaries like to breed.In order to promote breeding, these conditions can be replicated indoors.When canaries are ready to breed, they act differently.The male canaries will usually be in better shape than the female.Dropping their wings when they sing and sing louder is a sign that they are ready to mate.When other males are nearby, they may dance around on their perch and be more territorial.Females tear paper when they are ready to build a nest.When their vent appears red and swollen is the most certain sign of readiness.When males are nearby, they may raise their tails and squat.
Step 4: The male and female canaries shouldn't be in the same cage.
Place the birds in a special breeding cage that has a central divider.The behavior of the birds will tell you if they are ready to mate.
Step 5: The female's side of the cage has a nest.
Place the nest in the female's cage if you are just using a large cage.It is a sign that the female is getting ready to mate when she starts adding material to her nest.
Step 6: A proper diet should be fed.
Feeding canaries a proper diet that includes pelleted food, enriched seed, soft food and additional calcium from a few weeks before breeding is important.The hen needs additional calcium to produce healthy eggs.Specialty foods can be found through pet supply companies.
Step 7: There are signs the canaries are ready to breed.
The kissing between the canaries and the female indicates this.The male and female canaries will kiss through the bars of the wire partition if both are in good condition.It may take a few days after placing the canaries near each other for kissing to happen.You can put them in the same cage once they are ready to breed.You should watch for fighting.If they start fighting, separate them and watch for signs that they're still in good shape.If you are watching breeding instead of fighting, be aware that it can be relatively aggressive.
Step 8: If you observe breeding behavior, watch for it.
The male will begin courting the female canary.She will crouch down once she is ready.The male will mount the female.
Step 9: Look for eggs in the ground.
The canary can lay up to 6 eggs.The female will lay an egg in the morning.It takes 14 days for a canary chick to hatch.They should hatch on their own.
Step 10: Keep male and female canaries company until they are able to eat their own food.
The babies are around 3 weeks of age.The mother canary will stay with the babies all the time and the father will bring the mother food.The father will gradually take over feeding the birds, making sure they get enough to eat.You can remove the chicks from their own cage once they are fully fledged, because their wing feathers have developed enough to fly.You should separate the parents at this point as well.