Canaries anyone?

[Redwing]

Know this is not really a finch question, but does anyone know anything about canaries? have 2m and 2F in a patio aviary. All getting on well together at the moment, but do I need to separate them for breeding season? Just to complicate matters both girls seek out one male and pretty well ignore the other one.

[finchbreeder]

I leave mine together all year round and have had them off and on for the last 25 years that way. Basically very little difference to most finches, need 3 nests for 2 hens and they will sort out who goes with who when the time comes. And love their greens and egg and biscuit mix.
LML

[Redwing]

Thanks for that Finchbreeder, didn't really want to put any of them in a cage if I didn't have to but was doing some reading the other night and the only articles I could find talked about the males killing each other or not letting the subordinate ones feed and them starving. Got into these birds a bit by accident... rescued a male a couple of years ago from a pet shop, (think he'd be called a blue), then local vet gave me a geriatric female they'd had brought in. When she died I bought him a mate.... and then another pair (bronze coloured) and now of course they're all getting ready to breed so thought I better start getting ready.

[finchbreeder]

Mine aren't doing anything at the moment, but I lost my dominant cock and am beginning to think last years young are hens too. But mum already has 2 hens sitting. So worst case I need a nice crested cock cause I breed Glosters. Love the blues.
LML

[Redwing]

Yes he's beautiful and turned out to be the most amazing singer, so is my new bronze boy and the girl also is singing, but different from the boys. Hope she doesn't turn out to be a boy in disguise! Hope you find you've got a nice young male in your lot.

[Buzzard-1]

Providing they are in a larger cage. If they are in a breeding box type set up the males will fight if that is the case I'd split them.The dominant male will copulate with both hens and father all young.If you want young from both males split them.
Some hens will sing,the song is quieter and shorter and more of a whistle than a warble.

[Redwing]

Thanks Buzzard. Their cage is L90cm xW70cm xH130cm plus a peaked roof where they roost. Is that big enough do you think? and do I put the nests in now or wait until the hens start shredding paper and carrying around bits of grass?

[Buzzard-1]

You can put the nests in now as far apart as possible.I always used teased hessian about 3 to 4 inches long.Just keep a good eye on them for aggression.