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Update August 08
May, June and July were quiet months for my birds. Following the hectic breeding season from January through April, the birds were housed communally, first in one six foot by three foot by six flight. This provides room for exercise and space while the birds undergo their annual moult.
Current year bred birds lose all their body feathers (but not their flight - main tail and wing feathers) which is why some parts of the canary fancy call these "Unflighted birds". The older birds shed all their feathers and grow a new set. This is a very stressful time of year for the canary, as it requires a lot from the birds physically. Moulting generally lasts in an individual between 6 and eight weeks, so for all the birds to moult through can take up to three months.
In addition to room for exercise and a bath replenished daily with fresh cold water, I provide the birds with a quality canary seed mixture supplemented with green foods every couple of days. Apple, Broccoli and frozen peas are favorites. I also supply fresh sprouted seeds every few days.
The picture to the left shows my bird-room in late July. By now I have constructed a second flight cage and have been gradually moving male canaries over to this flight. Some youngsters I managed to identify by their baby song prior to them going into their first moult. Male canaries stop singing completely while they are moulting. The bird room falls relatively quite during this time.
August Update
Now, in the first week of August the moult has essentially been over for most birds for a month or more, with just one or two birds still to finish completely. I have had time to construct 3 treble breeding cages to house my birds. These cages (see below) are extremely useful. I currently employ them to hold individual males which I have been separating from the group as their song begins to develop and they start to quarrel and bicker with each other. Young singing canaries, like my American Singers need some peace and solitude to develop their song properly. Also, if they are not constantly interrupted from practice by their cage mates it is more likely that they will develop a free ranging and continuous song.
These "Box" cages are familiar to breeders in the UK, where I originate from. Firstly, money can be saved by making your own cages. I bought my wire fronts on a visit to Europe last year although they can be ordered through the Internet in North America.
I have almost no woodworking skills and knowledge but have been able to construct them from basic screwing and gluing plywood. Another advantage of this system is that I can remove the dividers to form breeding cages or long flight cages, making them very versatile.
These cages also provide plenty of privacy for hens during the breeding season. The disadvantage is that you need to give them a fresh coat of paint every couple of years and you must pay particular attention for possible parasites that can hide in crevices. Overall though, I am very pleased. I have been able to create a bird room with two large flights and up to 15 individual breeding cages for materials costing less than $400 in total.
Initial Show Training
Another important reason for housing the males in single cages now is that this is their first step in preparation for the show season. From the comparative freedom of the flight cages they must become used to smaller quarters and closer contact with me. In another month or so, they will be introduced to their show cages which are considerably smaller. By then they should be used to closer contact and feel settled and confident in their surroundings.
When they are introduced to their show cages, serious preparation will begin, to condition the birds to travelling, visiting strange locations and being viewed by a wider audience.
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Current year bred birds lose all their body feathers (but not their flight - main tail and wing feathers) which is why some parts of the canary fancy call these "Unflighted birds". The older birds shed all their feathers and grow a new set. This is a very stressful time of year for the canary, as it requires a lot from the birds physically. Moulting generally lasts in an individual between 6 and eight weeks, so for all the birds to moult through can take up to three months.
In addition to room for exercise and a bath replenished daily with fresh cold water, I provide the birds with a quality canary seed mixture supplemented with green foods every couple of days. Apple, Broccoli and frozen peas are favorites. I also supply fresh sprouted seeds every few days. The picture to the left shows my bird-room in late July. By now I have constructed a second flight cage and have been gradually moving male canaries over to this flight. Some youngsters I managed to identify by their baby song prior to them going into their first moult. Male canaries stop singing completely while they are moulting. The bird room falls relatively quite during this time.
August Update
Now, in the first week of August the moult has essentially been over for most birds for a month or more, with just one or two birds still to finish completely. I have had time to construct 3 treble breeding cages to house my birds. These cages (see below) are extremely useful. I currently employ them to hold individual males which I have been separating from the group as their song begins to develop and they start to quarrel and bicker with each other. Young singing canaries, like my American Singers need some peace and solitude to develop their song properly. Also, if they are not constantly interrupted from practice by their cage mates it is more likely that they will develop a free ranging and continuous song.
These "Box" cages are familiar to breeders in the UK, where I originate from. Firstly, money can be saved by making your own cages. I bought my wire fronts on a visit to Europe last year although they can be ordered through the Internet in North America.
I have almost no woodworking skills and knowledge but have been able to construct them from basic screwing and gluing plywood. Another advantage of this system is that I can remove the dividers to form breeding cages or long flight cages, making them very versatile.
These cages also provide plenty of privacy for hens during the breeding season. The disadvantage is that you need to give them a fresh coat of paint every couple of years and you must pay particular attention for possible parasites that can hide in crevices. Overall though, I am very pleased. I have been able to create a bird room with two large flights and up to 15 individual breeding cages for materials costing less than $400 in total.
Initial Show Training
Another important reason for housing the males in single cages now is that this is their first step in preparation for the show season. From the comparative freedom of the flight cages they must become used to smaller quarters and closer contact with me. In another month or so, they will be introduced to their show cages which are considerably smaller. By then they should be used to closer contact and feel settled and confident in their surroundings.
When they are introduced to their show cages, serious preparation will begin, to condition the birds to travelling, visiting strange locations and being viewed by a wider audience.
Return to HOME
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mrdight |
Latest page update: made by mrdight
, Aug 7 2008, 2:26 PM EDT
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