A caged canary needs a balanced diet that contains only high-quality ingredients. In the wild, canaries eat fruits by fluttering from tree to tree, but it is essential for caged canaries to get plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits like apple, bananas, raspberries, apricots, and even Belgian endive are great choices for a fancy canary diet. Leafy greens such as broccoli, dandelion, and carrots are also great options. Remember to clean out their cages and caged foods each day to avoid bacteria.
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Seeds
Choosing a variety of seed types for fancy canaries is important, as these birds typically eat a variety of different seeds in the wild. Commercial seed mixes, on the other hand, typically only contain two or five different seed types. The problem is that commercial seed blends are usually high in fat and carbohydrates and are often deficient in other important nutrients for canaries. While the choice of seed variety is up to you, it is usually best to choose an assortment that offers a balanced diet.
If you have a seed-dependent bird, you should consider buying soaking seeds. While cracked wheat, corn, and safflower seeds are all too large and hard for canaries, soaking them will break down the complex carbohydrates in them and make them more palatable. You can buy special soak seed mixes that are suited to this purpose. Then, you should soak the seeds overnight in two parts water and strain before serving.
Pelleted diets
Pellets are great for fancy canaries, but they aren’t the best choice for all birds. These foods absorb humidity like a sponge, which makes them almost rotten. Some birds can only eat pellets, which are also highly poisonous. Fortunately, pellets are more stable than seed. Moreover, they’re easy to mix with a liquid diet. And, if your bird’s cage is damp, you can sprinkle powdered supplements on its food.
Canaries are seed eaters. Their diets would contain a wide variety of seeds, depending on the season. Other sources of food for canaries include insects, berries, and vegetation. However, for your pet’s well-being, you should feed your canary a balanced diet that includes a variety of seeds. Seeds are highly fattening and carbohydrate-rich, but they don’t provide your bird with all of the nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Vegetables
While most canaries eat seed, they aren’t satisfied with this basic diet. To provide more variety, try blending a mixture of 75% canary grass, 15% canola rapeseed, and 10% specialty seeds. Fresh greens are another excellent alternative. Try mixing leafy greens like kale, chard, or spinach, but avoid lettuce. Occasionally, you can also include a few pieces of fruit or vegetables.
Vegetables can also be used as a fancy canary food. While the taste may be different from that of seed, vegetables are high in fiber and vitamins. Vegetables are also a great source of iron, which is vital for canaries. A good vegetable mix will contain oats, flax seed, and carrot bits. Some brands of canary food even include flax seed, linseed, and hemp.
Scatt
Scatt is a great choice for your canary’s diet, but it has some cons. Unlike most bird food brands, it contains no preservatives, so your canary will have a much happier, healthier life. You should use this food no more than four times a year to avoid the growth of Air Sac Mites. This is particularly important if your canary has just been introduced to it.
Air sac mites are a common pest among birds, especially Gouldians. Infected birds produce a spit-like mist that contains the mites. If you see your bird coughing and rubbing its feet, you need to investigate this cause and treat it with Scatt. You can buy Scatt from avian supply stores. Air sac mites can kill your bird, so it’s important to treat them as soon as you notice an outbreak.
Scatt outside clear baths
Canaries like to bathe and need fresh, room temperature water. Several types of bird baths are available for canaries. Many of these have a unique shape and allow for a more enjoyable view for you and your bird. Try S.T.A. outside clear baths to ensure that your canary has a clean, enjoyable experience when bathing. And because canaries love to fly, you can put a small, clear bath outside the cage to give them more room to flutter around.
