Canaries are solitary animals that are relatively easy to maintain. They will be happy as long as there is fresh food and space for them to fly. However, canaries need a large cage that contains their daily needs, even if you only have one. Give them food and water once a day, and encourage them to do lots of activities to keep them healthy and happy!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Cage
Step 1. Buy a large rectangular cage
A good cage for a canary will be able to make them fly here and there many times freely. The cage used must at least have a height of about 40 cm and a width of 80 cm with a distance between the bars of 1 cm. A given cage should be long and wide, not high, to provide room for the canary to fly.
- Do not buy decorative cages or cages that are round. This type of cage does not provide enough space for the canary to fly freely.
- Choose a cage made of iron or steel.
Step 2. Choose a safe but active place to place the cage
Use a room that is often occupied by people so that the walnut does not feel lonely. Place the cage against a wall or in a corner of the room away from windows, doors, ventilation, or sunlight.
- The living or family room, office space, or dining room is a good place to place a walnut cage. Do not place the cage in the kitchen.
- Do not use air freshener, cigarettes, scented candles, or other fragrances in the same room as the room where the cage is placed.
- Do not place the cage on the floor. The cage should at least be within eye reach.
Step 3. Give the newspaper as a base for the cage
Newspaper mat will help you to clean bird droppings easily. Change the newspaper every day so the cage doesn't look dirty.
Avoid using sawdust or cat litter as a base for the cage
Step 4. Also provide a perch so the canary has a place to fly and roost
Two perches with a diameter of between 10 mm and 20 mm in the cage will keep the canary active and happy.
- Tree branches can be a good perch.
- Place the perch about 40 cm from the cage. Place them at the ends of the cage to maximize their space to fly.
Step 5. Also place containers for food, water, and baths
Generally, walnuts need three containers-one for food, one for water, and one for bathing. Do not place the container under the walnut perch or the walnut droppings may fall into the container.
Method 2 of 3: Keeping Canaries
Step 1. Provide a variety of foods
Walnuts need a variety of foods in the form of grains, pellets, fresh fruit, and green leafy vegetables. You can usually find mixed feed for walnuts consisting of a pellet and grain mixture at pet stores. Provide them with this feed one teaspoon a day.
- Some vegetables and fruits that are good for walnuts include cabbage, apples, broccoli, grapes, dandelions, oranges, bananas, nuts, and melons.
- Place cuttlefish bones and mineral blocks for poultry on both sides of the cage. Canaries will eat it slowly for calcium and minerals.
- Never give walnuts avocado as it is toxic to birds.
Step 2. Change the walnut water every day
Canaries always need clean water. Remove the container from the cage, empty it, wash it with warm water and soap, then dry it with a towel before refilling the container with clean water.
Step 3. Clean the walnut cage once a week
The walnut cage should be thoroughly cleaned once a week. Put the canaries in a bird bag or bird carrier. Remove the base from the cage before scrubbing the entire cage with hot water and soap. Also clean the entire container and the walnut perch. Wait for everything to dry before putting it back in the cage.
The base of the walnut cage and container should be cleaned every day
Step 4. Cover the cage at night
Canaries are sensitive to sunlight. They can continue to wake up if there is light entering the cage. To prevent this, put a blanket or cover over the cage at night.
Step 5. Watch out for signs of illness
Canaries have sensitive lungs and are susceptible to mites or other parasites. Take the canary to a poultry specialist veterinarian if you see any signs of illness.
- Common signs of illness in canaries include restlessness, thinning of the coat, inactivity, discoloration of the stool, discharge of mucus around the eyes and beak, and drooping eyes.
- You can find a poultry specialist veterinarian, among others, through the Poultry Doctor.
Method 3 of 3: Keeping Canaries Active
Step 1. Give some toys to the walnut cage
Give the canaries two or three toys in the cage for them to play with. Canaries are very fond of swings, balls, bells, or also logs.
Step 2. Let them fly freely in the room
Open the cage door to let the walnuts fly for about thirty minutes. After that, lure them back into the cage by putting fresh food in the cage. When the canaries have entered, immediately close the cage door before they fly out again.
- Close all doors and windows before removing the walnut from the cage. All windows and glass must be covered to prevent the walnut from hitting it in flight.
- Make sure all ventilation fans are turned off before letting the walnuts out of the cage.
Step 3. Teach the male canary to sing
Generally, young male canaries will learn to sing from older males, but if you only have one canary, you will have to teach them yourself. Use a canary singing CD or video to teach the canary.
Although rare, sometimes female canaries can also learn to sing. But in general, female canaries only sing
Step 4. Avoid handling walnuts
Canaries generally do not like being held by humans. Limit contact with walnuts only during cage cleaning or checking for disease. The canary will still be happy even if it just sees and sings to you from its cage.
