Canary and Finch Husbandry (small passerines)
Caging: The cage should be large enough for the bird to have room to fly. We recommend purchasing the largest cage that you have space for and can afford. Exercise will greatly enhance your small bird's quality of life. Multiple perches of varying diameter should be available and positioned to prevent the food and water becoming contaminated with fecal material. Small cement type perches placed as the highest in the cage will help maintain the length of the nails.
These birds are best kept in separate cages as pets because when kept pairs they will constantly breed and same sex pairs/groups may fight.
Cage substrate: Newspaper or some paper based product. You do not need a grate in the cage bottom, they just make cleaning more of a hassle and some birds like to eat seeds that drop onto the cage floor. Toys and other enrichment activities may be placed in the cage, but be sure that the bird is still able to fly/move around the cage easily.
Diet: A high quality canary/finch seed should be fed as about 60-70% of the diet. We recommend mixing the seeds with a ground up, quality pelleted diet, such as Harrison's High Potency Mash (www.harrisonbirdfoods.com for more info). The remaining diet should consist of dark leafy greens, broccoli, mashed or shredded sweet potato, carrots and other vegetables. If using millet sprays as treats in the diet, please cut them into half-inch pieces and feed in limited amounts. Try to avoid the large "honey treat sticks" altogether.
Offer your small passerine fresh water daily for drinking and for bathing. Do not put vitamin supplements in the water.
Lighting and Temperature: UVB lights, such as those sold for reptiles, can be mounted over the cage for better lighting. UVB lighting simulates natural sunlight and is beneficial to your bird's feather quality and Remember that there should be no plastic or glass between the light and the bird, because the UVB is filtered by them.
Birds are fairly temperature tolerant, and do not "catch colds" as easily as has always been rumored. They can tolerate temperatures between 55-85 degrees F, as long as they are not exposed to the extremes of these temperatures over a short period of time. Keep the bird in an active part of your house where they can interact with the family. If you place them near a window, be sure that a portion of the cage is hidden/covered, so your bird is not constantly nervous about predators and other birds it may view through the window.
Common problems:
Feather cysts: This condition involves the feather follicle and presents as multiple lumps on the chest or back feather tracts. These are a congenital defect and thought to have a genetic etiology. Affected animals should not be bred. Treatment is surgical removal of the cyst and affected feather follicle. Most common in canaries.
Air sac mites: These parasites inhabit the trachea and lower respiratory tract and cause significant respiratory distress. Clinical signs may include open mouth breathing or a clicking noise. Treatment is aimed at relieving respiratory distress and elimination of the parasite.
Obesity: Diets high in fat and decreased physical activity can lead to obesity. Overweight birds are prone to liver, heart and arthritic joint diseases.
Baldness of the head: This disease syndrome seems to be hormonally associated and is likened to male pattern baldness. Hormonal therapy has been used with moderate success.
Hyperkeratosis: The skin on the legs grow large "scales". This is a hormonal condition that will not injure the animal. This is more common in canaries.
Thread necrosis: This condition involves fine threads or fabric constricting the foot. Often these items are sold as nesting material. Treatment is aimed at removal of the thread from around the foot. Surgical amputation may be required if the foot/leg is devitalized.
Bacterial infection: Finches are susceptible to a variety of bacterial infections. Treatment is based upon culture/sensitivity is applicable.
Egg Binding: Egg binding may cause sudden death with no premonitory signs. Proper diet and husbandry can help to prevent this disease syndrome.
Cage mate aggression: Some species of finches can be highly aggressive to new additions to the cage or sick members of the flock. Proper cage size and husbandry should be provided to prevent stress and overcrowding.