Baby Indian Ring Necks

[Nikki]

HI my friends have had their Indian Ring Necks go on the nest for the first time. They want me to Hand rear them but I have only ever done Cockateils and one Rainbow lorrikeet. Have a few questions How old before I take them off the nest and do they have a similar diet to the teils and do I need to add anything to it. I imagine that they are very similar if not let me know. Thanks Nikki xxx They are Blue and very lovely looking forward to something new.

[Jen]

Hi I just feed a good handrearing mix. Its much the same as any other seed eating bird. Ringnecks dont tend to be fussy eaters I find and you easy to feed as they have bigger beaks. Cockatiels are real gluttons so they are great for learning on so you shouldnt have any trouble. The only suggestion I would make is to point out to whoever is going to buy/keep them for pets that it is really important to handle them as often as you can preferably every day as I know a few people who I have sold them too havent kept up the contact and quickly cant get there hands near them. Another guy gave one to his younger sister and the family thought it would be a good idea to wear big gardening gloves the first time they picked it up and scared the poor thing silly and it never liked being picked up again. It was a real shame as it was one of the tamest birds I had raised. On the other hand I gave one to a mate that was not particularly tame in the first place, but he said he didnt mind because he thought it was a great looking bird and he really persevered with it and yes did get bitten a few times but never gave up and its a really good pet now.

As for taking them out the nest I prefer to leave them until they are just getting all spiky with the pin feathers coming through everywhere and I think they are fine at that age. Whatever stage you prefer to do the cockatiels at is fine. Rob usually handles them a fair bit in the nest too, just pulling them out and checking them every day and the parents dont seem to mind and it probably helps.

Good luck

[Nikki]

Thank you Jen I will tell my friends to get into the nest as the parents are very tame so this should not be a problem. My next questions is what would be a good price to ask for Sky blue coloured lovingly hand raised indian Ringnecks. A ball park figure will do!! Can anyone give me an idea....