feeders

Feeders and Drinkers

Bottles are Best

Traditionally, UK canary fanciers used open water vessels -called 'Top Hat Drinkers'; many still do. However, open drinkers become fouled with droppings, seeds, pellets, sawdust and dirt. They are perfect reservoirs for bacteria, viruses, parasites and algae.

Fortunately, 'hamster bottles' came along and have been widely adopted. Canaries learn how to use them in minutes. The water is kept clean; birds cannot 'bathe' in the drinkers and there is much less chance of water-borne disease spreading through the flock.

Bottles come in various sizes and brands. Shown are 125ml. and 250 ml. bottles. Larger ones can be bought for flights and aviaries. They should be cleaned and sterilized regularly.


	'Clear-view' plastic seed hoppers are the standard design used in the UK. They allow the fancier to see how much seed is left, at a glance. The UK practice was to hang the seed hoppers at floor level, over the feeding holes in the wire cage fronts. European fanciers, however, have cage fronts where the feed-holes are at perch level - half way up the cage front. These are much better since it is harder for sawdust and sand to get into the seed..
Clearview Hopper

Eggfood Drawers Eggfood or other rearing foods are offered in plastic drawers which clip under the cage door. If possible only small amounts of food should be given at any time, with several re-supplies through the day.

Eggfood quickly sours in hot weather. Hygiene is vital and all equipment should be washed and sterilized daily,

Pecking Boards Young birds are usually separated from their parents at about 24-28 days, though the cock is often left with them to feed them. At this stage they are being weaned onto feeding themselves on eggfood and soaked seeds. Pecking Boards clip under the cage door and have legs which keep the board level inside the cage. Egg-food and soak seeds are spread on the board - with perches placed on either side. It is not hard to make one of these yourself, using wood.

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