Canaries in an aviary... Really no chance?

08 Jun 2012, 23:20

Canary breeders say that Canaries cannot be kept in aviaries because they are a) Too vulnerable to the weather, and b) Not fast enough to get away from predatory birds.

Is this always true? Does no-one breed Canaries in a natural aviary environment anymore, where they grow to be fast, strong and resilient?

08 Jun 2012, 23:57

I am no canary expert and I only have 20 of them but I did try them in an aviary but could not stand the continual bickering between males. One pair was ok but even when i had 3 cocks to 5 hens they fought quite viciously. I have heard of breeders having them in aviaries but my efforts to do this were unsuccessful compatability wise. I do house them in quite big cages though (some of them). The canary specialists will be able to comment better than I.

09 Jun 2012, 10:17

My canaries stay outside for the most part. They are housed in small cages and I rarely bring them in.

They have survived many winters and freezing rains and are still alive and kicking.

The young from these canaries are very hardy. I could guarantee anyone that their young would survive any winter outdoors (barring snow of course).

survival in the aviary will depend how soft your stock is.

09 Jun 2012, 12:31

I have my canaries (about 20) in an aviary with zebra finches. i pair them in cabinets for thge breeding season. This is mainly to stop the zebs from borring the nesting material.

I am on the Gold Coast, so our weather is not extremely cold (no frosts). I had a neighbour when I lived in Ipswich who kept his canaries in an aviary all year including nesting. Ipswich is noted in Queensland for frosts and 100 plus weather extremes.

MadOzzie

PS: (edit) The males do chase one another arround the aviary in spring. This helps me identify them.

09 Jun 2012, 17:03

I keep canaries out in my aviery all year and I get cold winters. All mine seem to take the weather well, only I i find that don't like the cold are my older birds. When I look at mine compared to the birds I see on shops mine seem to be bigger and fatter but when looking at the lower abdomen I don't see any great yellow colouring. The only precaution I do is cover the aviery so no drafts get through or at least very little.

09 Jun 2012, 17:03

I keep canaries out in my aviery all year and I get cold winters. All mine seem to take the weather well, only I i find that don't like the cold are my older birds. When I look at mine compared to the birds I see on shops mine seem to be bigger and fatter but when looking at the lower abdomen I don't see any great yellow colouring. The only precaution I do is cover the aviery so no drafts get through or at least very little.

09 Jun 2012, 18:02

Years ago kept and bred canaries in an aviary here in Melbourne, as a single pair in a mixed collection. I had them in one of those 'lawn locker' style aviaries and they did very well. I have found canaries to be pretty hardy by finch standards and never had any concerns with them, even in the coldest weather. One of my birds did lose and eye to (i'm guessing) a Honeyeater, so mouse mesh or double wiring would be reccommended. That one exception aside, I'd say the breeders you have been talking to are mis-informed.

18 Jun 2012, 23:24

Interesting. I keep going back and forth on this issue depending who I'm speaking to! Bottom line, I would have to buy an aviary bred bird for sure, which can be surprisingly hard to find.

Is it true that Canaries destroy all vegetation?

19 Jun 2012, 09:50

Over the 20 odd years I have had them my canaries have alway lived in avairys. I have varied the quantity, and changed the breeding between avairy and breeding cage. But find that for me the ideal is 1 pair per avairy, with other finches. No arguing between cocks and I have control over the breeding (who goes with who) as a Gloster breeder this is a bigger problem than with some types due to the fatal double crest gene. Canaries are always the first to the greens no matter who they share with. Though put them with a pair of Cubans. And hey presto, they politely step aside when the sweet little finch lands to stake his claim. He never had to do anything but land and walk towards them. So now the greens are spread arround rather more.
LML