Canary Breeding

[paulineward]

My daughter has pet canaries. They bred, and she followed instructions on their care. The first and second batch were infertile, but the third batch hatched. She is absolutely delighted. The new canaries have been found good homes. The canary has now laid 3 more eggs!!! What she would like to  know is 1. The gestation period of a canary and 2. How long a female canary can go on laying after she has been fertilised. She would be very grateful for advice. Thanks

[Clanad]

The clutch of eggs will take about 14 days to hatch.  The canary will not lay another clutch until being bred again.  The normal breeding season runs from about April to October, with November being a possibility. Three hatches is the maximum to expect, but two is more common.  The laying is dependant on the available light, as it is in the natural world... the hens will moult following the last clutch... Are you aware that you can change the color of the hens and ***** by adding a little paprika, cayenne or red pepper to its diet.  It gives them an orange hue... Keep the bird's food in the refrigerator for longer usefullness...Best of Luck!

[Clanad]

Well, then we'll call them roosters...

[paulineward]

Clanad - thanks! This is all new to my daughter but she is well read on the subject!! ..and driving me mad with it!! How old does a canary have to be to breed? Also this is the canaries 4th clutch..is that normal or could she have bred with another canary since. Her last live clutch only hatched early July. many thanks

[Clanad]

Normally, you'd be aware of her having been bred, since the males shouldn't be kept with the females except for breeding.  The males can harm the females if the female won't accept him. The young females can be bred the next season... if they were hatched, say July, then about next April will be the earliest they can be bred.  Some commercial growers manipulate the breeding/growing season with the use of artificial lighting (the biggest sales season for canaries is Easter) but this isn't practical, or, in my opinion, healthy for the average owner... As I mentioned before, the hens will moult following the last hatching... this will be your best clue as to the end of the breeding season...

[paulineward]

Clanad, Yhanks very much, you have been very helpful. My daughter has been trying to look things up on the net, but you have given her good advice. Cheers