First time canary owner.....

[natzback]

Hi everybody!
I will be bringing home my first canaries Wednesday and would like any advice that can be given.
The lady that is giving them to me had them and others given to her to find homes for and this is what I know....
-they are both yellow - bonded pair 1 male, 1 female (I will try to post pic's after I get them so maybe ya'll can tell me what breed they are)
-they have been on Wal-mart seed - I need to know the best kind to get them and any supplements I should get.
-the female is 4 y.o. and the male 1 y.o. - just starting to sing
- they have 4 mirrors and 3 perches in the cage that comes with them - what toys are good? A swing maybe?
- the cage coming with them is 23" high, 14"deep, 16"wide, comes with a stand -sounds plenty big enough.
- Should I set the cage in front of a window or offf to the side?
- She said they are used to being covered at night, no problem there, wish my cag would leave a "blanket" on his cage - lol
I think that's about it any advice would be appreciated!!!!
She also has other birds avail if anybody is interested:
- 2 brown society finches
- 2 black & white society finches
- 2 mini doves (they sound pretty)
She is a "user" on here if you want to look her up her username is atalantae

I am so excited to get these guys - I have always wanted canaries and will be so nice to hear the male sing
It will be the best Christmas present to myself - hehe
(Hopefully Charlie doesn't get jealous -- maybe he'll mimik some songs :) )

Thanks everybody -
Natalie

[Monica]

I don't own any canaries though I've got some advice...

You should be able to find a petstore or pet supply store that sells canary seed in the bag. I'm not sure which seed mix may be the best, though beyond seeds you can also feed soft fresh veggies, or even try cooking up some hard veggies (like carrots) and feeding them soft.

Canaries aren't too big on toys, though you can try for ones with beads, ones that are made up of sisal, just about any tiny toy that would be safe for them, and maybe even a wooden swing. However, you would more than likely want to remove the mirrors.

The cage does sound fine though it would be better if it was wider than it was high. It would probably be best to set the cage in a well lit room, but not directly in front of a window (being in the sun throughout the entire day can get a bit annoying especially when one can't get into the shade)

I'm glad though that Atalantee is able to find some of them homes... I know that she didn't want them going to a shelter or anywhere else, so it's good to know they are going to a good home!

[natzback]

Thank you Monica for the reply!
If anybody knows - I got them today and they love the new seed I got them, also got them mealworms but the lady said they should also be on grit - anybody else heard this?
I know my doves need it but canaries? I jsut want to make sure so I don't cause health problems.
Natalie
I will post pic's asap.

[Monica]

I don't think canaries necessarily need grit... If you see them cracking the seeds (taking the outer shell off) then no they don't need the grit.

[natzback]

Here's some pic's of the new guys, it's little hard to take a goof picture
If anybody can tell me what they are - it would be helpful - Thanks!
Natalie

There should be some attachments......

[natzback]

I think this is a better pic, it is the female...

[natzback]

I trimmed the nails today - the lady I got them from that rescued them said she had done the same but that they were so long, (they were so bad they wrapped around the perch) you couldn't take but a little but once I caught them it wasn't all that hard, the female was easier - I guess cause she's older. I also saw them pecking at the cuttlebone :)
Natalie

[frame]

In response to first time canary owner, I would be interested in buying one of the canaries if you could put me in contact with the woman. Are these canaries banded? what is the song like?
My name is:Tricia Frame
frame@pacifier.com

[Monica]

I'm sorry to say but I believe these canaries were done under rescue, then needed to find a home, and natzback took them in... if I remember correctly... And if so, the woman who had them previously probably doesn't have any other canaries...

[natzback]

Yes you are right Monica the lady I got them from got them from a woman that couldn't care for them any longer but I took them to see a man I know that used to breed canaries and he says the male is a roller, female may be but he was sure of the male. Said they aren't in "breeding season" yet so he may start singing soon and suggested I get a cd of canaries singing (which I am bidding on at ebay - lol) but he got real excited when he heard the canaries he had singing. (I havn't heard him sing yet) and the female still bullies him a little but with all they have been thru I hope he will eventually.
And thanks for all the input by the way!
Natalie

(We FINALLY named them now that I know they are male/female)
boy is Cisco nad the girl is Sarah