CANARY
HEALTH - The Canary Year
By Dr Colin Walker BSc, BVSc, MRCVS, MACVSc
(Avian health)
Winter
The moult is now finished and breeding will start in several months. If new birds
have been acquired, or there have been resident health problems in the birds
during the year, now is the time to treat the birds to ensure that they are healthy
at the start of breeding. Veterinary examination will reveal what treatments
are necessary for a particular aviary. If a veterinary examination is not possible
then the following health program is recommended. The same program is used to
treat new birds in quarantine.
Moxidectin Plus 1 drop orally per bird, for roundworm, hairworm, tapeworm and
mites (including air sac mite and scaly leg mite)
Baycox 1 drop orally once a day for 2 days, for coccidia
Permethrin light spray, to remove any lice
Turbosole 1 tsp (3g)/2L water for 7 days (mixed fresh daily) for canker
Veterinary check for megabacteria 2 microscopic examinations of pooled dropping
samples 10 days apart
Monitor closely for signs of Chlamydia (red watery eyes, nasal discharge, sneezing),
if apparent Doxyvet 1tsp/2L for up to 45 days
Nutritional problems that appear during breeding usually reflect dietary deficiency
in the months prior to pairing. A good quality calcium based grit should be provided
ad lib e.g. Biocal Small Bird and a multivitamin supplement suitable for canaries
should be provided in the water for 1-3 days weekly e.g. Multiboost or Nutrivet.
Breeding cages and nests should be thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with Permethrin
now to prevent red mite, (and in outdoor aviaries, ant), problems as the weather
gets warmer.
Spring
Breeding commences. Starting the breeding season with healthy birds and providing
a nutritious complete diet are the secrets of breeding healthy baby canaries
(and alot of them). Health problems that appear during breeding are hard to treat
and represent a failure in the pre-breeding health program. Biocal should be
available ad lib and Nutrivet or Multiboost provided 1-3 times weekly. Supplementation
with chopped greens, seeding grasses, sprouted seed and a good quality, high
protein supplement such as Passwell’s Canary Starter will add greatly to
the number of youngsters produced and also to the vigour of the babies.
Summer
Breeding finishes. Despite the best of care, birds are generally “run down” at
the end of breeding. As a result sub clinical carriers of diseases such as Chlamydia
and Polyoma virus are more likely to start shedding and infect a proportion of
their babies. The protein and calcium reserves, particularly of the hens, are
being depleted. In particular watch for red mite infection towards the end of
breeding. These parasites thrive in the warm, dry conditions of the nest. Continue
with the supplements used during spring.
Autumn
Moulting time. Healthy, well- fed canaries moult quickly and grow lustrous feathers.
Unhealthy canaries moult slowly and grow poor quality feathers. Continue with
nutritional supplementation as outlined above. Breeders of coloured birds must
ensure access to canthexanthin (red colouring agent of choice) now. |