New Seeds for My Canaries
My vibrant and melodious Red Factor canaries are thriving and enjoying a new buffet of seeds.
As you know, I have about two-dozen canaries. These beautiful little birds bring me so much joy with their lovely singing. As I’ve mentioned, caring for birds requires time and diligence to keep them happy, healthy, and clean. My birds are always provided with ample amounts of fresh food and water, and a good, quality seed diet. For anyone who enjoys their song and curious, active personalities, it’s well worth every chore. Recently, I came across a great pet birdseed source in Irvine, California. Joanne McGinnis is the owner of Lady Gouldian Finch. Joanne first became passionate about raising birds when she was a young girl, and about 10-years ago, launched a web site and business dedicated to their care. Earlier this week, I received a wonderful selection of seeds to try - my canaries love them all.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here are three of my dear young canaries just resting on this branch. I find these birds to be so photogenic no matter what they’re doing.
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- Red Factor canaries are prized for their color rather than their song, but they are also very melodious singers and enjoy singing. My canaries love to listen to classical music, which I keep on for them during the day.
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- The Red Factor canary, Serinus canaria domestica, is one of the most popular canary breeds. I am always looking for the best, most nutritious seeds I can find to keep mine healthy. I provide multiple feed bowls with a buffet of seeds along with all their fresh vegetables and fruits.
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- We received this lovely selection of seeds from Lady Gouldian Finch – I was so excited and eager to try them all. http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/
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- Red factor canaries need certain nutrients to maintain their bold, colorful plumage. Fresh foods containing beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and carotenoids along with greens and the appropriate canary seed make up a good well-balanced diet.
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- These Lady Gouldian Finch seed blends are designed to support the birds’ seasonal needs. These blends are carefully selected to provide the widest range of micronutrients for resting, breeding and molting seasons.
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- The canaries flew to it right away.
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- Miracle Meal is a complete, all-natural, nutritious soft food. It contains a balance of protein, carbohydrates and essential fatty acids necessary for proper growth and immune system functioning.
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- We put a dish of Miracle Meal into the cage, and watched the canaries rush to it.
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- Here is the first one to try it. Miracle Meal contains a full spectrum of vitamins, including vitamins A, D3, C and E.
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- Soon, several birds were dining. A canary’s metabolism is very fast, so it’s important to be observant of their eating needs and habits.
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- This is called Perle Morbide, which can lower the risk of disease caused by any incorrect sprouting process. Because I grow my own sprouts here at the farm, I don’t have to worry about this, but these perles were a big hit and can be a great treat for my birds.
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- Perle Morbide is a good source of vitamins E and B12, and also contains ground wheat, oats and coconut oil. These perles are best used soaked, and then mixed with any of the other blends.
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- Lady Gouldian Finch Health Greens contains flakes and sprigs of alfalfa. This is great for those who cannot always give fresh greens to their birds. I am very fortunate to have an indoor greenhouse, where I can grow fresh greens all year long.
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- Alfalfa is an excellent source of antioxidants, chlorophyll and essential amino acids. It increases appetite, aids digestion, detoxifies and alkalizes the body. My canaries found this treat very tasty.
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- The Tonic Seed blend is a soft black oily seed with thin, brittle hulls that are perfect for youngsters whose beaks are not strong enough to crack hard seeds.
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- These seeds are also designed to boost energy for a successful breeding, molting and weaning season.
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- It is breeding season now – the canaries are busy setting up their nests.
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- Some canaries work very hard on their nests, adding lots of cotton string, shredded burlap or other materials, while others will build more simple ones. Here’s a canary beginning to build her nest.
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- I like to transfer seeds to these clear bins, so they are easy to stack and store. Using clear containers also makes it easy to know when the supply needs replenishing.
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- I also use these plastic quart containers. My longtime housekeeper, Laura, affixed the original labels to the containers, so there is no confusion when feeding.
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- Lady Gouldian Finch also sent me some California Premium Spray Millet®. Birds love these, and they provide a healthy, nutritious, pleasantly sweet-smelling treat to support good health.
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- I always provide natural cut branches in the canary cage for the birds to sit on – they love perching on them and watching all the activity in my house.
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- Canaries are generally good-natured, social creatures. Healthy canaries will always have clear, bright eyes, clean, smooth feathers and curious, active dispositions.
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- They are all so beautiful and striking in color. Healthy and well-cared for canaries can live at least 10 to 12 years.
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- My large canary cage with all my beautiful Red Factor canaries is one of the focal points at my Bedford, New York home. Everyone loves to visit them and listen to their melodious song. Do you share your home with any avian friends? Let me know in the comments section below.
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