You know why canaries are the most popular poultry after parrots? It's about their excellent vocal data, small size, bright plumage and, of course, the simplicity of keeping them. They are suitable for offices and small apartments, do not require special education or expensive food. Charming, cute and very funny.
MEET: HOME CANARY
It's a small bird with a body length of about 12-14 cm. Some ornamental species can reach 23 cm, but this is rather an exception to the rule.
The natural habitat is the Canary Islands, from where canaries were brought to Europe about 500 years ago. Wild birds barely reach a length of 10 cm, the males are yellow-green with bright black longitudinal stripes. Females are grey-brown with stripes.
The color of most domestic canaries is monochrome yellow.
THREE TYPES OF BIRDS
There are three types of home canaries that can be conventionally distinguished:
Colored. White, red, grey, green and other bright colors of plumage, obtained as a result of selection.
Decorative. Curly, humpback, frenchy fire lizards - all canaries with body sketches and non-standard appearance.
Singers. All species have good vocal data, but especially the Russian and Belgian canaries, the German roller.
HOW MANY HOME CANARIES LIVE
It is believed that with proper care the bird can live about 10-15 years. Longevity is affected by the indoor climate, proper nutrition, lack of stress and heredity. Of course, one of the most important factors is the careful attitude and care of the hosts.
HOW TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A CANARY
It's hard to tell kenar from canary by physiological signs. Here are the main ones:
The tail of a female is slightly shorter than that of a male.
On the lower abdomen of the bird there is a cloak. It is flat in females and slightly convex in males.
Canaries reach puberty by 1-1.5 years. During this period, the sex is easy to determine: take a closer look at the pairs. The male actively cares for the female, offering her food and whistling beautiful melodies, which, in turn, answers him with short trills and begins to twirl the nest.
But the main factor determining the sex is the bird's vocal data. Kenars sing very beautifully, inflate their throats expressively when making music and gradually expand their vocal repertoire. Females sing seldom, usually coo, squeak and whistle.
SELECTION OF THE CELL AND ITS CONTENTS
The cell can be made of both metal and wood. Its characteristics:
The minimum sizes: height 20-25 sm, length 35-40 sm, width 20-25 sm.
Distance between rods: 1,2-1,4 cm.
Pallet: always retractable for easy cleaning.
If there are no plans to walk around the apartment, the minimum size of the cage increases. The more, the better - the bird should feel free and be able to stretch the wings. Aviaries can be installed on the balcony in summer (avoid direct sunlight).
You will also need to do this:
Several poles with a diameter of 1 to 1.4 cm.
Sand for the pallet. Don't save money by bringing sand from the street, treating infected birds is very expensive.
Drinking water.
Three troughs: for dry fodder, food, additives.
Bathhouse.
One of the main factors of correct maintenance is the placement of the cage. It should not be on the draught, near the battery or window, in direct sunlight. It is advisable to place the cell in the room where you spend the most time, approximately at eye level.
MAKE SURE YOU EAT PROPERLY
The canary's daily ration includes
Grain mixture for birds.
Soft and green food.
Mineral additives.
On average, an adult bird eats about 1-1.5 tablespoons of feed a day. Focus on this figure, but make sure that the grain mixture in the feed trough does not end. Canaries should not be left without food even for a few hours! Sometimes birds eat a little more, for example during moulting.
Soft food is not offered at the same time as grain more than once a week. Half of the hard-boiled chicken yolk mixed with a tablespoon of breadcrumbs or cooked semolina is ideal. You can add some infant formula and herbs.
Soft food is available daily during nesting and feeding of the chicks. Sometimes birds are given porridge: buckwheat, rice and wheat.
Vegetables and fruits must be present in the diet. Birds eat salad leaves, dill and parsley, cabbage, apples and carrots, pears, bell peppers and other green food with pleasure.
Boiled eggshells, chalk, charcoal and coarse sand are suitable as mineral additives.
Periodically offer the bird nuts and sunflower seeds.
Regularly change the water in the drinker. It is advisable to use filtered or other cleaned water.
Canaries can't talk, but their melodic singing can cheer you up even on the most gloomy and unsuccessful day. It is a wonderful poultry, able to give a lot of joy to the caring owner.https://petsfusion.com/news/247/domashnie-kanareiki-yhod-i-soderzhanie/