Breeding behavior

Hi everyone!
Boy, spring is in the air around here! Although it is just Feb 1, the birds are all ready for starting their families. The singing is gaining volume, as the males compete to be heard over everyone else. I love the sounds, and with all the different varieties of canaries in my bird room there are lots of trills and note "runnings" to hear!
If you are letting your birds breed please be aware that your females will need a little something extra now. Calcium is very important for her health and to aid in proper egg formation for the growing chicks. A good product for that is Nekton E. Cuttlebone is a good backup until you can acquire the Nekton E. Also, baked chicken egg shell (after washing it thoroughly) and crushing it into bits is a good substitute.
Offer nesting foods.(egg food). There are recipes for those online. For more tips please email me. Your questions are posted back here on the blog, so other people can learn from similar questions.
Be sure to provide a good open nest and nesting material. I use washed burlap bags and pull the strings out of it. The birds seem to find ease weaving this material.
I find they shred the liner paper in their cage for nesting, so you could offer thin strips of this too. They will make it work!
Have fun with your birds! Talk to them everyday and be sure they always have a clean cage, fresh water,and plenty of quality seed.
:> Laura