Mating two birds of any species can be simple or problematic, depending on the temperament of the birds. Often, it's difficult to tell the males and females apart and, in other cases, one of the partners may become violent. In the case of the Indian ringneck parakeet, a small mostly green parrot otherwise known as the rose-ringed parakeet, a red band forms around the male's neck at around the age of 2, indicating sexual readiness. The female is bigger, without the ring, and can become aggressive at mating time if you don't handle the proceedings delicately.
- Skill level:
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Things you need
- Separate roomy aviaries for male and female (3 by 8 by 6-feet is average)
- Nesting box (at least 10 inches square and 20 inches deep with a hole to accommodate size of your birds)
- Nesting material
Place your birds' aviaries beside one another as far in advance of mating time as possible, but leave a gap so they can't hurt each other through the bars. Keep the space shaded and warm, but not hot.
Ensure you have a male and a female. Before 2 or 3 years old, you'll need to obtain a DNA test to determine the gender of your birds.
Introduce a nesting box into your female's aviary as the mating season begins in late fall. Place nesting material in the aviary, like twigs, leaves and other fibrous matter.
Introduce the male into the female cage, particularly if you observe the female's nesting behaviour change.
Observe the mating ritual of your Indian ringnecks closely. According to an article published in the journal of the Asiatic Breeders Association, Indian ringneck females can dominate and injure the male if not compatible. In the wild, the male would be able to get away, but you will have to help him get away as soon as you observe any aggressive behaviour.
Watch the nesting box every day for eggs.
Pull the babies from the aviary to feed by hand when the oldest baby is no more than 2 weeks old. Some breeders pull the babies before that, before any of their eyes have opened, which helps establish a parental relationship between bird and owner earlier.
Tips and warnings
- Once they're hatched, caring for your baby Indian ringnecks will be an added responsibility. They'll need individual feeding times for a while and other special care. See the Resources section for detailed instructions on how to care for your baby parakeets.
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