CANARIES
THIS year, as always, October brings the start of the UK canary show season, which makes a pleasant change from sweeping up feathers in the bedroom every visit.
Most of my birds found new homes very early this year, so as October arrives, I am more or less already down to my numbers for next season. A few late-bred birds are still molting, of course, and may or may not stay with me, but it’s nice to see a few empty cages and have space to enjoy the birds I intend to work with myself.
I have used cardboard bedding for most of the year, and just recently found a new supplier in West Yorkshire with a superior product at a fraction of the cost – if you can collect it, that is! Cut into postage-stamp-sized squares, the new bedding is made from thicker corrugated cardboard than that which I previously used, so it stays where it should do – on the floor of the cage. It is an affordable choice compared with other bedding materials and is completely dust-free. It is absorbent, copes well with bath and water drinker spills, and keeps the birds’ feet clean. Clumps of the soiled cards can easily be removed and topped up with a new card, as necessary. About a third of a bale cleaned 60 cages and flights for me, providing a deep litter on the cage floor, so it is economical too.
On my first visit to the supplier, I filled my car with multiple 20kg bales of card, which will last me several months. In the future, I can top up whenever I am in the area, to minimize my traveling costs. And because it’s a farm, new free-range eggs are also available to the discerning buyer!
Denne historien er fra October 23, 2019-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
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Denne historien er fra October 23, 2019-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation
Spangles: a personal overview
FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future
New converts to old breeds
Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.
Pieds with potential
More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid
Club News
Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year
Canaries Month by Month:
With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR
