Aussie Finch Forum

Hi folks, I have some questions about canary breeding in an aviary with other finches.

- How many cups per pair should I put in
- What height should the cups be? Is it OK to put one up high and one at mid-level or do they want them all up high?
- Do they re-use nests? If not, do they just build their next nest in the next available cup or do I need to clean out the first cup?
- can I put 1 cock with 2 hens?

Can only speak from my experience of 2 pair.

One pair chose a square mesh box and the other one nested on top of a straw filled tube even though there were commercial nest cups available.

They both built about the same height.

I clean out every nest after each clutch, whatever the bird, they get pretty messy. I usually have spares ready and do a quick swap.

From what I have been told canary cocks can and will play both ends of the aviary.

My canaries have nested in a wide variety of nests. From a cup she made herself in the fork of a branch to 12/14cm square boxes with 1/3 open sides that had been intended for finches, to the tradtional cup. Mostly she moves each nesting, but occassionally will re-use a nest. Nest of choice are more often about half way up the avairy wall, but occassionally takes it in to her head to pick one higher or lower. Some cocks are casanovas and will put down 2 mates, some are gentlemen and faithful to one. Bit like guys actually.
LML

Do you think canaries would nest inside pigeon hole type setups, similar to a wine rack I guess. If I were to hang one up and place cups inside each opening, do you think they would take to it?

You can always give it a go, canaries and finches all tend to nest in the darndest places sometimes.
LML

Ive seen a pic of finches nesting in a beer carton, so I cant see why they wouldnt nest in something that looks like a wine rack.