Indian Ringneck Parakeets commence nesting activities early in the year in the UK, as early as January if allowed. To prevent egg binding in laying hens due to the cold weather at this time of year it is best to prevent nesting/egg laying until March or April by blocking the nest box entrance hole.
Nesting will take place in a 20mm plywood nest box measuring approximately 225mm to 300mm square and 450mm to 600mm high which should contain a hatch for inspection of the eggs and chicks. The bottom of the box should be lined with 75mm to 100mm of moist wood shavings or rotted wood, which the hen will scratch and chew until she is ready to lay. The moist conditions in the box will raise humidity levels and help to prevent dead-in shell eggs. Hang the nest box in a covered area of the flight with the inspection hatch easily accessible to prevent undue disturbance of the breeding birds.
Usually four to six eggs are laid on alternate days, and if cared for correctly and with a bit of luck most eggs will hatch. The hen will incubate the eggs alone and hatching takes place after 22 to 23 days, however, they sometimes take up to 28 days depending on how tight the hen sits and how warm/cold the waether is. The newly hatched chicks are blind and naked and develop down feathers and open eyes at about nine days old.
A single clutch of eggs is usually laid unless these are removed if infertile when a second clutch may then be laid if it is not too late into the spring. Eggs can be checked for fertility by candling with a small torch or by using an electronic digital egg monitor called Buddy (opposite left).
The chicks will develop quickly and will fledge the nest at 6 to 7 weeks (below right) and feed independently at 8 to 9 weeks at which time they can be removed from the parents. It is wise to identify birds with uniquely marked closed aluminium rings (below left) which should be applied at 10 to 13 days.
Maturity is reached at three years old but breeding can be achieved from cocks and hens at the age of two and sometimes as early as one year old but this is unusual. A successful breeding is more likely achieved from the age of three years on. Cocks will not display a neck ring until after their second full moult at 2½ years old, though some will have a faint trace of a neck ring after their first full moult at 1½ years old. There is however always an exception to the rule.
For breeding purposes it is always wise to know the sex of young birds to ensure you have a true pair to avoid a wasted breeding season when birds are paired incorrectly. DNA sexing is now carried out quickly and efficiently using either feathers or blood samples and is a sure way of determining which birds are of which gender and enables the breeder to plan future breeding programs and to determine which birds are to be sold or kept.
Blood sample being taken for DNA sexing.