As aviary birds go, one of the most enduringly popular breeds is, of course, the beautifully bright yellow canary. These birds have been kept as pets since the 15th century, so if you are thinking of bringing one or two home for the first time, you’ll certainly be in excellent company indeed!
But, as with any new member of the family, you need to know what to expect and you need to make sure that you’re appropriately prepared to expand your burgeoning flock.
So, with this in mind, here are five of the most frequently asked questions we get here at Johnston & Jeff about keeping canaries.
As ever, if you need any further help or advice, just get in touch with the team and we’ll be able to help.
Q1. What do canaries eat?
An excellent first question! You will need to ensure that your canary follows a well-balanced and nutritious diet, featuring fruit, insects and seeds – which is what they’ll enjoy in the wild.
Our mixed seed blend for canaries includes lots of different vitamines, minerals and trace elements that your birds will love, as well as proteins and fats.
The seed itself is soft and very digestible, with omegas 6 and 3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health, niger seeds for amino acids and calcium, linseed for vitamin E… and an egg biscuit base to make it taste delicious!
Q2. What health problems affect canaries?
Luckily, canary birds are relatively healthy and robust but, like any bird or animal, they can experience certain ailments from time to time. These include:
Respiratory infections
Canaries are sensitive to poor air quality and they can catch infections if they’re exposed to smoke, chemicals or drafts, so make sure their aviaries are kept clean and tidy, and well away from any potentially harmful fumes and vapours.
Mites
Canaries can find themselves afflicted by mites, leading to skin irritations and feather loss. Keep on top of this by cleaning the cage regularly and keeping in-house dust to a minimum.
Q3. Do canaries need to be covered at night?
Canaries need around 12 hours’ sleep each night (lucky them!) and you can help them achieve this by covering the cage at night. This also helps prevent night fright, where the birds suddenly panic because of loud noises, drafts, lights and so on, and fly into the cage, injuring themselves.
Q4. What toys do canaries like?
There are lots of toys you can get for your birds and canaries will particularly enjoy the likes of foraging toys for mental stimulation, swings and climbing frames, and anything with a bell attached to it!
Q5. Do canaries need cuttlebone?
Cuttlebones are one of the best ways to supplement your bird’s calcium levels, which it needs to keep its bones, beaks, nails and feathers nice and healthy. Invest in a cuttlebone holder to hold it in place and stop debris from falling out of the aviary.
