About Canary Hens

History

• Domestic canary hens are descendants of the wild canaries that live in the Canary Islands and in northeast Africa. They are not native to the islands but were introduced accidentally when rescued from nearly drowning on board a ship that was sinking near the islands. They soon established themselves on the islands. The Spaniards were the first to discover the colorful wild canaries, trap them and breed them to sell.

Cage Specifications

• Canary hens should never be kept in a round cage, as it can cause all kinds of physiological problems. Instead, they should have a cage that is at a minimum 40 inches long and 20 inches high. There should be a minimum of 15 inches between perches so the canary has the necessary room for flying. Metal cages are recommended because they resist mites and are easy to clean and disinfect. Also, ensure the cage is placed out of direct drafts, as they may cause your canary hen to get very sick.

Cage Cleanliness

• It's imperative to keep your canary hen's cage clean because a dirty cage will attract mites, which will cause the bird to get sick. This means cleaning the cage twice a week in the summer and once a week in the winter. Do this by removing droppings and disinfecting the canary hen's perch. Nests must be disposed of after a few uses, as they too are a breeding ground for mites. In the summer months, the bird will molt, shedding its feathers and growing new ones. During this time it will stop singing. Keep your canary in the cage during this time so it can wash and maintain its feathers.

Food Requirements

• Canary mixes are sold in pet stores and usually consist of a mix of skalora, canary seed, millet, niger seeds, hemp and canola with aniseed flavor added. Food and water should be available at all times and should always be as fresh as possible. Canaries left without water for 16 hours or more are unlikely to survive. The containers for holding food and water should be washed frequently.

Breeding

• Canary's begin to breed in January. If you plan to breed your canary hen, you must add supplements to the bird's diet. Eggfood and grit are both important additives during this time. When you've chosen your canary cock, put him in the cage with the female, separated by a mesh wire divider. This gives them time to get used to one another. Remove the male from the pen after breeding. Your hen canary can be bred and raise up to three nests during one breeding season.

Incubation and Hatching

• In a few days, after they've had a chance to breed, add a nest pan for the hen along with nesting material. This can include shredded paper, twigs, leaves and string. In a couple of weeks after the nest is built, the hen will lay between two to six eggs, which will hatch after another two weeks of incubation. Be sure and provide a bowl of eggfood so your hen can feed the chicks. In another two weeks the chicks will have feathers and begin to leave the nest.