CANARIES AND CAGE BIRDS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1931, Page 3

CANARIES AND CAGE BIRDS

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB’S MEETING, BREEDING METHODS DISCUSSED. A meeting of the recently formed New Plymouth Canary and Cage Bird Club was held last night, there being an attendance of about a dozen. Air. Fred Julian was appointed assistant secretary. At the previous meeting three delegates were appointed to meet the committee of the Taranaki Agricultural and. Pastoral Association with a view of discussing affiliation with the body but so far no reply had been received. It was decided to forward three names to the North Island Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club to be added to the judges* list. A letter was received from the. Auckland Canary and Cage Bird Club proposing the setting up of a governing body for cage birds alone b‘ut was not discussed as the club’s delegates desired to meet the Taranaki Agricultural and Pastoral Association before doing anything further. A number of new members were enrolled, bringing the membership to 38. An address on breeding methods was given by a member of the dub and proved of value to the younger members. A suitable size of cage for a single breeder, said the speaker, was 14in by 12in by 9in, the doors to be in a'position making for easy access and feeding and drinking vessels to be on the outside. Canary seed should be the staple diet and other seeds such as Niger rape, Alaw hemp and Gold of Pleasure should be in separate hoppers, seeds other than plain canary seed to be given on alternate days. Egg food could be made by boiling an egg for 30 minutes, leaving it too cool and squeezing. it through a carrot grater, adding one cracknel biscut, also grated, and a pinch of maw seed. Seeding green, food such as duckweed, groundsel, thistle and dandelion should also be given. Egg food should be given only when perfectly - fresh (not more than 24 hours old). The birds should have access to the bath at all times and fresh drinking water should be provided daily. Cages must be kept dean and all rank food removed. The preparation known as C.L.O. could be safely substituted in place of egg food. Special nest pans and material could also be had from s. seedsman. Eggs should be removed each day and all replaced when three had been laid. This should be done at night just before the birds went to roost. It was advisable to sprinkle well with insect powder to keep down red mite, * parasite which could spoil a whole sea- r son. A breeder should never interfere wth the birds more than he could help _ during incubation. Young birds if properly fed should leave the nest in 14 or 15 days and should be on hard seed in six or seven ■weeks.