Lipochrome Canaries V

Red –red canaries are the product of genetic manipulation by man, they have been obtained by crossing the common canary with Venezuelan Red Siskin (Carduelis Cuculatta). These canaries need to have carotenoids added to their diet in order to obtain the desired degree and evenness of red pigmentation.

The preferred pigments are a mixture of carophyll, Beta-Carotene and Canthaxanthin. These pigments can be administered through the water or the egg food mixture or nestling food. It is important to start feeding these coloring agents as soon as the breeding hen is ready to lay her first egg in order to have the long feathers of wings and tail acquire the desired amount and depth of coloration right from the embryo. A lot has been said about the harm that these agents may cause to the liver, however there are no documented studies, nevertheless caution should always be taken not to overwork this organ, the excrement is used as a guide, and the amount is correct when the droppings are a light reddish color. Some breeders deprive their birds of greens in the believe that they interfere with the achievement of the proper coloration however using carrots, red peppers and other greens of high carotene content are helpful in supplying other sources of red pigments. To aid in the transport of the pigments through the lipids oily seeds such as nigger thistle, hemp and linseed are also administered with the molting or nestling food. During the molt birds are kept in a twilight environment throughout the day in order to keep them calm and to keep the excess of light from bleaching the color, also bathing water should be pure without any additives that may affect the pigment.

Suggestions:

The ideal intensive category is a bird that can achieve the reddest saturation point evenly throughout its plumage without any traces of white and be genetically able to transport the red coloration to rémiges and rectrices.

MOST COMMON DEFFECTS:

· Lack of pigmentation on flight feathers

· Patchy coloration

· Dull and rough plumage

· Lack of pigment in underside

· Excessive frosting around neck area

· Check frost on mantle area, usually applies to females

· Frost marks which are too large usually applies to females

The ideal frost category in red birds is more difficult to achieve compared to yellow birds because of the marked contrast which makes more obvious any faults which otherwise would not be so noticeable on a yellow equivalent. With red birds and none the less with yellow birds, the breeder should be very selective when choosing birds for frost lines, from a cross of frost to intensive you will not get good show frosts and good show intensives, most times you will either get one or the other, certain considerations are required when matching you pairs:

MOST COMMON DEFFECTS:

· Heavily checkered or lightly frosted hen with intensive cock for good intensives.

· Show quality frosted male with intensive female for good frost birds

· Choose for breeding only the deepest red colored birds.

· Use a mixture of various colorants, vitamins and minerals and adjust the quantities to suit your needs; exhibition, maintenance or breeding.

· Keep rose and red carriers of rose out of the red breeding program.

· The blue refraction factor is desirable for reds but not for rose.

Red Intensive or Frost

Rubino Intensive or Frost