Do only males have the ring?

Wendim · Post by **Wendim** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:49 pm

Do only the males have the rings around their necks? What age do they start to show up? I am wanting to purchase a Blue and the breeder has two of them but they have not been sexed. I hate to wait for that as they are now 9 weeks old. Are their any other characteristics a person can look for that MIGHT indicate sex of the bird? The breeder said one of them was showing what appeared to be a sexual interest in one of the adult birds. She thinks he might be a male because of that? What are some of your opinions?

Thanks
Wendi

Dani03 · Post by **Dani03** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:15 pm

Yep only males have the true 'ring' females only have a lighter coloring one. Check out the pics in the Pic forum... :wink:

You would have to be an 'expert' and have visually seen a lot of IRNs to tell at that young age what sex they are

Dani

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:17 pm

Buying for the ring isnt a very good idea, thats why many ringnecks are misplaced. You buy for the breed, not the ring.

The chances are too slim of getting a boy, DNA tests are often wrong, bad breeders mislead according to what sex YOU want... I could go on and on. My point is, the bird may very well never get a ring.

You have to be ok with that or consider another breed, please.

Or a mature ringneck with the ring in already. Then you know you cant go wrong, if the ring is that important to you, thats the only sure bet.

Dani03 · Post by **Dani03** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:33 pm

Yep...best way to pick an IRN is to let the bird pick you

Dani

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:44 pm

I visually sexed my Ringnecks at about 3-4 months old.
The males seem very mellow and don't mind being touched.
The females are very bitey and won't let you near them without lunging at you.

Of course, their are exceptions to the rule, and as they get older they change.