Canaries are very beautiful birds to keep at home because they are easy to care for and relatively happy to be alone. However, one thing about canaries is that it is not that simple to breed them. Breeding canaries requires advance planning, special equipment, special food, and luck. It is important to breed these birds in the right way as you must ensure a stress-free environment so that the chances of producing chicks will be greater. If you are planning to breed canaries, only do so if you can care for the chicks who cannot find their homes.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preparing Canaries for Breeding
Step 1. Purchase breeding supplies
In addition to the basic equipment you already have for the birds, you will need a large cage for the canaries to breed, a nest for the female canaries to lay their eggs in, and nesting material that the female canaries will use to build their nests. You'll also need a lamp to light up the coop if your area is getting less than 14 hours of light each day.
- There is a special breeding cage that allows male and female canaries to get used to each other without any contact. This cage has a divider in the middle that can be removed when you are ready to let the canaries breed.
- Nests for breeding canaries are available at specialty pet supply stores. If you're buying a pre-made nest, you'll also need to purchase nesting material that the walnut can add to the finished nest.
Step 2. Separate the canaries until it's time to breed
Canaries should be housed in their own cages, unless actively breeding. Male canaries tend to like to fight and a male canary can kill a female canary if the female canary is not ready to breed. However, the cage can be placed in the same room.
Step 3. Watch for signs that the canaries are in “condition”, meaning they are ready to breed
Breeding usually appears in the spring. Canaries love to breed if the temperature is around 21 degrees Celsius and there is light for 14 hours. This condition can be done indoors, to encourage breeding. Male and female canaries behave differently when ready to breed.
- Male canaries will usually enter in a condition ready to breed before female canaries. Signs of a male canary that is ready to breed are dropping its wings when it chirps and chirping with a hoarse and louder voice. Male canaries also dance around the cage and are more protective if other male canaries are nearby.
- Female canaries will often start tearing paper, as if preparing a nest, if they are ready to breed. However, the most reassuring sign of readiness is when her rectum appears red and swollen. The male canary also raises his tail and looks down when another male canary is nearby.
Step 4. Place male and female canaries side by side, but not in the same cage
Place the cages side by side or place the two canaries in a special breeding cage that has a divider in the middle. This will allow the birds to get used to each other and the behavior will indicate that they are ready to breed.
Step 5. Add a nest next to the female canary in the breeding cage
If you are using a large cage instead of a breeding cage, place the nest in the female canary's cage. When the female canary has added nesting material to her nest, this is a sign that she is ready to breed.
Step 6. Provide proper food
The nesting canary should be fed a proper diet consisting of fortified grains, soft food, and additional calcium a few weeks before breeding until he has finished feeding his young. It is advisable to feed the walnuts the hard inner shell of the squid or the granite (grit) to get the extra calcium needed to produce healthy eggs. These special foods are available at pet stores.
Method 2 of 2: Breeding Canaries
Step 1. Place the canaries together if there are signs that they are ready to breed
This can be indicated by a kiss between the canary and the female canary begins to lay nest material in the nest. If both canaries are ready to breed, the male and female canaries will begin to "kiss" through the rods of the wire partition by touching the beak. The kiss can occur immediately or several days after the canaries are placed side by side. When they are ready to breed, you can place both canaries in the same cage.
Watch out for fights. If the two start fighting, separate them immediately and watch for signs that they are still ready to breed. However, the breeding process can be aggressive, so make sure you watch the breeding and not the usual fights
Step 2. Watch the breeding behavior
It starts with the male canary making out with the female canary. If the female canary is ready, she will crouch, indicating her willingness. The male canary will ride the female canary.
Step 3. Look for eggs in the nest
Female canaries can lay between 2-6 eggs. The bird will lay one egg a day, usually in the morning. Canary chicks usually take 14 days to hatch. The chicks will hatch without help.
Step 4. Leave the chicks with the male and female canaries until they start feeding themselves, usually around 3 weeks of age
At first, the mother canary will always be with the children and the father will bring food for the mother. Then, gradually, the canary father will take over the task of feeding the chicks, to make sure the children get enough food. If the chicks are starting to eat on their own and their feathers are growing, this means their wing feathers have developed enough to fly, you can take them out and put them in their own cage.
