In general, care of red canaries is exactly the same as for any type of canary. However, red factor canaries have additional dietary needs to maintain their colorful plumage. The three main chemicals required to successfully color feed red canaries are canthaxanthin, beta-carotene and other orange carotenoids.
According to Marvin Walton, a canary breeder at The Canary's Nest, the method by which beta-carotene and other carotenoids are introduced into a red factor's diet is strictly a matter of the owner's preference, and canthaxanthin may or may not be used as a supplement.
Things You'll Need
- Foods rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids
- Commercially available supplements designed for red factor canaries
Instructions
Always color feed prior to a molting period. It is crucial to color feed red factor canaries during this time, or new feathers will likely grow in yellow.
Color feed your red factor canary naturally. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids can be found naturally in carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, beets, tomatoes, cherries and a variety of berries. Offer these to your red factor canary regularly.
Add commercially available supplement to your red factor̵7;s diet. These supplements come in the form of a liquid concentrate to be mixed with water. Keep a steady supply of this enriched drinking water available to your red factor canary at all times.
If you are breeding red factors, pure canthaxanthin and beta-carotene can be added to the nestling canary food.