Canaries sitting on Chicks

[ollie]

Hi
I am new to breeding canaries and have just hatched my first lot of two chicks.
They are now 10 days old and the hen is not sitting on them at night. Is this normal or should she still be sitting on them?
I removed the male as he was only interested in annoying her should I return him to help with the chicks.
Thanks

[ed]

Hi,

I havn't kept canaries since I was 16 years old but I've still got my library of canary books.

In Cyril Kirbys book , Canary Breeding in Australia (page 38) , he states . When young birds of the first nest are about 2 weeks old the hen will want to go to nest again.

With my Kakrikis the hen also starts a new batch of eggs before the first lot of chicks are feathered. While she starts to incubate the new batch the cock will feed the babies.

Based on the above points I'd say that it's quite normal. Most people breed canaries indoors eg in the garage so I'd say if they were out of the cold and at this time of the year, I wouldn't be too stressed.

I'd be hesitant in taking out the cock bird.

Cheers

Ed