Feeding Billy

[wonker]

I think I have read so many things on the internet recently about the dietary needs of a canary that my head is spinning but (being the simpleton that I am #wink# ) I am still a little confused.

When I left the pet shop I was given the Bird seed mix, Grit, a Cuttlebone and a water dispenser. I then went to 'pets at home' and bought a 'Canary Starter Pack' which included all manner of goodies including treats such as those Honey stick things, millet spray and a calcium thing.

So are these 'treats' any good and how long do I keep the food in the cage?

The reason I ask is that I read somewhere that you should put fresh food in EVERY day. Judging by the rate he is nibbling at the treat stick, it could be there for weeks so do I really have to get rid of it, wasting 90%. It's the same with the seed mix, I filled up the feeder thing last Saturday and it's still half full. I have been blowing the husks off (not that there are that many) and mixing it up to get the seeds at the bottom to the top but do I have to get rid of it all...does it go off?

I know I sound like an amateur, but that's exactly what I am and I want to get It right from the start.

Thanks in advance


Wonker

[Admin]

no there is no need to change the seed every day, just blow the husks off every morning and renew the seed once a week with a washed pot. The water however does need to be changed every day and the pot cleaned out as it can get a bit gunky (very technical term ). The treats are ok to stay in there till they are finished, but obviously if it takes him a month to eat it then i wpuld take it away and reload with a fresh one.

try not to give him the millett and the honey stick at the same time, as too much sweet stuff is bad for him you could always alternate between them every few days and just swap the stick with millett and then after a few more days swap the millett for the stick again to give him a bit of variety.

to cure any boredom you could regularly move his treats around aswell so he has to look for them, it will encourage him not to eat only the treats and use them as they are meant and not as a food substitute (spelling?)

[wonker]

Cheers Sal,

That's great advice. I gave him some grated carrot and celery today but I didn't really know how much to give him as he only eats small amounts (obviously) and you can't keep greens there for days?


Wonker

[alexandra]

greens and fruit should be changed everyday, i found that it may take a while for a bird to get used to them especially if its never had any kind of fruit or veg.

our canaries go mad for water cress, apple, boiled egg and chickweed

[wonker]

That's the last time I grate up Carrot and Celery, when I went home from work yesterday, it looked like he had had a bath in it! There was Carrot and Celery sprayed up my wall and all over the nearby furniture and his cage was a disaster. I don't know if he ate any but he certainly had fun in it. I have cut slices of Carrot today so let's hope he makes a little less mess with those!


Wonker

[Admin]

LOL maybe he is telling you he would like a bath? try this.... get a nice size whole lettuce leaf, put it in the bottom of the cage and then put a little water in it, it will seem less threatening than a bowl of water

[wonker]

I don't have any problems on the bathing front, He's got one of the baths that attach to the front of the cage (with a lid) and he loves it. Putting a lettuce leaf in the bottom of the cage as a 'treat' for him sounds a good idea though (I know, not Iceberg!).

Thanks again

Wonker

[Admin]

there is nothing wrong with putting iceburg in there, it just doesnt give him any nutrients lol but you are right, other lettices like kale are a lot better for him

your welcome

[Berserka]

Also a small piece of apple.
My Fido nibbled at his apple but never ate the whole lot.

[wonker]

Hi Karen,

I know this is going to sound weird, but I HATE fruit...the smell, the taste, the touch...everything about it. I know it's important and I've had people telling me all my life how important it is (esp. my mother lol) but the very thought of it turns my stomach. I was hoping to avoid the feeding of fruit to Billy and just give him more greens or other supplements but if it's important to give him the stuff then I will just have to be nice to my wife to see if she will do it...that's when she forgives me for getting him in the first place!!

Cheers

Wonker

[Admin]

LOL she wants to count herself lucky you only came home with 1 canary - i dread coming in sometimes if my hubby texts me and says he has a surprise lol its usually something either feathered or furred #rolleyes# and more often than not this lot know about it before i do lol cos he posts up on here knowing i am on so often and he thinks it will soften the blow for when i see him #norty#

big old softy my hubby his name is kakariki on here lol

[wonker]

I'll look out for his posts, maybe I'll know what you're getting before you next time!


Wonker