Recently purchased first Indian Ringneck pair

[Pato]

Last week I finally was able to save a bit of money and purchased my first pair of Indian Ringnecks. I’ve bred other parrots in the past. Upon purchasing the pair, I noticed an egg on the bottom of the cage. The vendor had told me that’s the third egg he’s found in the bottom of the cage this week. I purchased the pair and built a nesting box for them. It’s been 4 days since adding the nesting box and they’re still a bit hesitant of coming close to the box. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and your beautiful ringnecks!!

Is it your intention to breed them? If so, I respectfully recommend reading this insightful and thought provoking thread: http://www.parrotforums.com/breeding-raising-parrots/54987-before-i-start-breed.html

Creating new avian life is not for the faint of heart and requires patience, and an ability to take over parental responsibilities if the chicks are rejected.

 

[itzjbean]

Breeding birds successfully takes a lot more than just purchasing them and setting up a box for them. With a completely new environment, owner, noises, etc, they will need plenty of time to adjust to the new setting before feeling comfortable enough again to breed and lay eggs.

Have patience and let them adjust.

 

[Pato]

Thank you very much for your advice. It is GREATLY Appreciated

 

[Smerft85]

I figured this would be a good thread to read and I was not dissatisfied. I too just purchased a pair, yesterday actually. They are both still hatchlings, and breeding has been mentioned before the purchase was even made. We are still considering strictly controlled breeding if any at all, we have done extensive homework, plus have the added bonus of my wife being in the veterinary field for many years. As prepared as we may feel, we know reality of breeding any animal very well, and never have enough knowledge. Thank you for the thumbnail about breeding above, insightful and informative as well as a good reminder of a few things.

 

[Pato]

We have our first egg! Very exciting times ahead. Any advice is always greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Talven]

The first bit of advice I can give is make sure you keep accurate records. Use a spreadsheet or get a notebook and keep track of when the eggs are laid, when the first egg hatches etc. That way you know when they are due to hatch, age of hatchlings, when is a good time to remove to hand raise, when they are due to wean or fledge. Accuracy is important with breeding IMO

Try to disturb the birds as little as possible as well. Too much interference and they may abandon the nest.

Make sure you are prepared to take over if they abandon the hatchlings as well. Have a brooder ready. Better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Go to a nearby vet or breeder and ask to be taught how to properly hand feed and how to use a crop needle. You never know when or if you'll have to take over from the parents. This is essential knowledge for any bird breeder IMO

The breeding box you have for them, does it have a concave bottom? Flat bottoms can cause chicks to have splayed legs.

Make sure the female has access to high calcium foods or add supplements to the birds diet.

I'm sure I have forgotten some things in the 10 or so years since I was breeding birds so I hope others will add to this and fill in the blanks. Good luck with your birds.