IndianRingNeck.com

Hi, my name is Chris and I have bcome a keen bird breeder and owner for the last 8 months, I have bred budgies and am hopefully just about to have baby Cockatiels as well, but my IRN'S Don't seem to be doing anything, both the male and female who are about 3-4 years old and have bred before for the previous owner have been sleeping together in the breeding box for the past 4-5 months, it has only just come into breeding season here in Australia (July-August) but I have not been able to catch them mating yet, The female has been entering the box during the day for short interludes and scratching around doing god knows what. They get fed fresh fruit and vegies, seed and clean water. They are the only birds in the aviary so there is plenty of room, any ideas on how to bring them on, or do you think they may have started already with the info I have provided, I have not seen them mate, I think thats why I am worried but it does not mean they haven't I suppose. Any ideas and help would be great.

Hi Chris,
I'm also from Australia, (QLD). Your birds may have already started. One pair that i have have so far this week given me 2 eggs!! yet i have not seen them mating. It is just a waiting game now to see if the eggs are fertile or not. On the other hand , my other 2 pairs are working the box and the cocks are displying all day!!!but they don't have any eggs yet. Once you see the cock bird starting to feed the hen, things start to happen. About 4 weeks after you first see them mating, (easy for some!!) you can expect results in the nest. Eggs are laid at roughly 48 hour intervals, so a clutch of 4 eggs would take 8 days to lay.
Hope this helps. I am new to this all myself. Only my second season. Last year i had no luck.

Rae