Come say hi to my cute canaries
I’ve been raising canaries for a number of years and I just love their beautiful singing. Because I keep them in quite a large cage that can accommodate many birds, their numbers do increase as new hatchlings mature.  To keep things under control in my cage, I give birds away from time to time, so that others may also enjoy them. However, it’s very hard to distinguish the singing males from the rather silent females, and I found myself with a cage full of quiet, female canaries.
I recently acquired, what I hope to be, a new population of males. Before placing them in their new home, they required a bit of grooming. It’s important to clip canary nails about twice a year. They do grow, making it difficult for the birds to sit comfortably on a perch. When clipping, be sure to work with extreme caution. Only clip the very ends of the nails – the dead part, which will avoid damaging the vein that runs inside the quick of the nails – the living part. Come and see how it’s done.
Dear Martha
I must tell you how much I admire you for all that you do. I to love canaries.I had one for many many years but now I have a cat & I would not want to stress such a lovely bird by having a cat around.
Regards
Gladys
Posted by: Gladys Pentland | November 4th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Martha,
You have mentioned your canaries several times, but I never pictured such colorful little guys.
I hope you'll have singing birds again soon!
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | November 4th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
The canary cage is an architectural beauty.
Posted by: Linda Crispell | November 4th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hi Martha, Your wonderful canaries certainly are beautiful and their cage is absolutely fantastic. How many do you actually have? Do your cats ever jump on the cage? Bartok sure looks like he would love to catch one of your canaries. I had no idea that you had to trim their nails. How fascinating how you accomplish that task. I went to Barnes and Noble today and got both of your new holiday magazines. Thank you for the $5.00 coupon. That was very thoughtful and generous for you to do that. Well, it's finally over. We have a new president and a much brighter future thanks to everyone who voted for President-elect Barack Obama. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 4th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I do hope you have some singing again soon. Great picture with the cat who looks totally mesmerised by the proceedings. Beautiful colours too!
Posted by: Lilly | November 4th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Dear Martha,
The canaries are so so cute! and the cage is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
God Bless
Rowaida
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 4th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I just love your birds...what a wonderful home you have for them also! My Grandmother had them and they were so sweet to hear singing...
Ok..now you got me..I want my husband to get me some! lol
Thanks for the tip on trimming their nails :O)
Carla
Posted by: Carla Martin | November 5th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Awww...the canaries are beautiful! Great photos!
Posted by: Sara | November 5th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I enjoyed your blog on canaries. I have budgies myself and they are so entertaining to watch!
I am Canadian and also want to congratulate you all on the election last night. Truly an historic event.
Posted by: Maureen | November 5th, 2008 at 2:01 am
They're so beautiful, Martha! I love the colour. The cage is a piece of architecture.
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | November 5th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Very inspiring! Anytime you want to post about these fellows and ladies I will not complain. Their home is gorgeous.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | November 5th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Martha- The birdie blog is interesting, but, your bloggers really want to know - what is the news about your Chow-chow puppy?
Posted by: lil | November 5th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Yes, you do have very cute and colorful canaries. Is that the same cage you had at Turkey Hill or is this one a bit smaller? Something looks different about it.
I was imagining your canaries singing, 3 dogs barking, cats meowing, the roosters crowing, donkeys braying, the horses neighing, the cows mooing and I thought wouldn't that make an interesting recording. It wouldn't wake up the dead but it would at least get some sleepy heads up in the mornings. I bet there's never a dull moment at Bedford! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 5th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Thank you for sharing the pictures of your canaries. They're adorable. Love them.
I'm hoping you could help with a problem I have. I have a yellow nape amazon parrot, Jonathan, who is already 20 yrs old.
He is a joy and lots of company. He'll sing, talk, laugh and do some tricks.
His daily diet includes fruits & veggies. I'm always fighting the problem of fruit flies. Is there something I could do to make my home free of such pests?
Thank you for any help...............Justine
Posted by: Justine Florczyk AKA Peaches the Clown | November 5th, 2008 at 6:08 am
The canaries are beautiful! I've always been curious about what it would be like to have them in my home, but I'm sure my miniature dachshund would go coo-koo!
Posted by: Kari | November 5th, 2008 at 6:16 am
What beautiful birds and I LOVE the bird cage - it's gorgeous!
Posted by: Tabitha (From Single to Married) | November 5th, 2008 at 6:41 am
What pretty little things!...I call them "tweeters". This would be sheer, utter delight for me, to have their beautiful song resonating in my home! I LOVE birds (I'm a "birder") but have never had any inside due to the potential "mess". Your aviary is quite impressive and an ample environment to give these little beauties some freedom.
I THOUGHT I saw a fuzzy something-or-another in one of those pictures, figuring it was a cat, and it was - Bartok! ("Bartok, now you be a good kittycat for mommie!" =^..^=)
I again have to reiterate from previous posts that these things (beautiful canaries, colorful leaves, a kelly green farm field in spring, a red barn at the horizon of a blue sky, your chickens) are the good things in life - things that money can't (figuratively) buy.
...baKAACK (from yesterday's chickens' blog), ruff, mrrrow, tweet, mooo, naaay - what wonderful sounds these are!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 5th, 2008 at 8:14 am
(...here I am AGAIN!...)
Martha, I had to tell you that I was able to peruse your new cooking handbook last night at our local Borders bookstore. It's not mine yet (remember? - it'll be my birthday/Christmas gift) but it'll be a must-have! And like my fellow-blogger-friend, Jan Erickson, I got to look at your two MSholiday issues as well (and like Jan, thank you for those two coupons!) It was a wonderful evening! I told the sales clerk "I think I love you!" for helping me find these, as I feared they were already sold out. [grin]
Trish, my other blogger-friend - we're on the same page, aren't we, what with Martha's varied menagerie there at her farm. I always enjoy reading your posts and am frequently in sync with you, AND Jan! I always post first, then go back to read others' comments, and it's fun when I find I'm right on target...
(...okay, I'm done...)
'Til tomorrow,
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 5th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Beautiful aviary cage! Where did you get your canaries from? I have looked all over the web but most places are sold out
I have to say you never disappoint, Martha. Every morning after breakfast I read your blog and you always give so much inspiration for the rest of the day. Thank you for that!
Posted by: beryl lynn | November 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Beautiful canaries! They are fortunate to have such a beautiful home, too.
I've had cockatiels for years. One passed away recently. "Murphy" was really, really sweet. She was with us for 12 years. When she was young, she had to be spayed because she kept getting infections from egg-laying. It was mico-surgery and she did fine.
Cameron
Posted by: Cameron (Defining Your Home Garden) | November 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Dear Martha,
Thank you for your blog on your canaries. I am a parakeet lover, but am wondering if it is a problem to bring a parakeet or two home with a Burmese cat in the house. Zeke is our only pet, and his instincts surely would take over, and feathers will fly. Don't you think?
Posted by: Katherine Meade | November 5th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I'm in love with your cage! It's gorgeous!
I love canaries too. I have a spice finch that my daughter bought with her birthday money when she was 7 or 8 years old and she'll be 16 in a few weeks! He's such a part of our family now.
Posted by: cindy~my romantic home | November 5th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Wow, those are very beautiful canaries - and that cage is stunning. I hope you have someone to help you clean it.
Blessings to you and yours,
Pamela
Posted by: Pamela | November 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I love the cage - sooo martha stewarty! I read somewhere that canaries don't do well in direct light. Is that true?
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las vegas | November 5th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Martha, they are so beautiful. I love the colors.
Posted by: Theresa Gassler | November 5th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I, too, love the canaries, but also want to know what is happening with the new chow puppy???
Posted by: Kathryn | November 6th, 2008 at 4:40 am
Hi Martha, They are so colorful...Very beautiful birds. I have never seen these colors on canaries before. Great photos!
Posted by: Maggie | November 6th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Years ago in MSLiving you published a lovely article about your canaries. My grandmother raised them for Woolworths in Nebraska. My dad built her a breeding cage for them out of sheet metal, durable but not as elegantas yours. When she would come for a visit, she would tie them up in a shoebox,and stab air holes after the birds were inside. Proof that the parable of the sparrows is true!
Posted by: marcia fox | November 6th, 2008 at 6:57 am
In my next life, I want to come back as a pet on your farm.
Posted by: ellen bedell | November 6th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I love canaries and I think this is the most beautiful cage.
Posted by: Emily | November 6th, 2008 at 9:10 am
They look exquisite! I love the colors and they are surprisingly small compared to the white one I saw on your show a few weeks ago, must be a different breed. They are so beautiful. We were in travelling in Guetemala last month and saw some tropical birds as well, I think they call them Macaus. Nature creates the most amazing colors and displays them on these beautiful creatures.
Posted by: ShopLittleGifts | November 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am
What a beautiful cage you have had crafted. My husband has built an avery in our garden for our daughters budgies. Our eldest has started a rescue home for unwanted budgies and so far we have four. One of the females has laid 6 eggs of which two hatched yesterday - what excitement. Having a look at you beautiful canaries makes me want a second avery - dont know what my husband will think.... I will have to work on him. We live in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and have quite heavy frost and incredibly hot summers 40 degrees C - I will have to read up on whether the canaries can handle such variant temperatures. Thanks for a great web site.
Posted by: Cally | November 6th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
My mother was a piano teacher and we had a canary (obviously a male) that would sing to her playing. She also bought the canary a hartz record to play that would encourage the singing. Its one of my favorite childhood memories.
Posted by: carolynn Jacoby | November 8th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Hi Martha. Your canary's are beautiful. And it's nice to see that you have a big cage, many birds are kept in such small quarters but your's is so roomy.
What I really want to ask though is how is your new puppy doing? You haven't mentioned him since you chose him a couple of months ago. What did you name him? We are all so curious.
Sincerely
Leanne Plant.
Posted by: Leanne Plant | November 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I always love the bird segments on your show. I have 3 avians - a talking cockatoo (Sassy), a handicap Sun Conure (Skittles), and a lovebird (Piper). Sassy and my cat sit together and hang out. Sassy tells me "I love you mama" and imitates the cats meow! I love your canary set up - it's awesome
It's so nice to hear happy birds singing in your home.
Posted by: Karen Cheetham | November 11th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I just happened to fall on your site after doing a search on google. I need to know if i can house together a few females, as i love canaries and want more than one. However, i find that having many cages is a lot of work. One canary is not sufficient for me, as there are so many beautiful colours available. Please let me know. Your cage is absolutely marvelous.
Posted by: Marie Eve Smith | February 26th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I have been looking for the old blueprints to build this cage and they are discontinued. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get this? I keep all of my Living magazines and have kept this one about your canaries on the top. I am finally ready to proceed! HELP!
Posted by: Lisa Stemnock | November 11th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I have canaries and they just had babies. I would love to buy or build a cage like yours. Do you share the blue prints?
Thank you always,
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | September 26th, 2011 at 10:10 am