Breeding Parakeets in recent years, the popularity of the smaller Parrots, such as Grass Parakeets (Neophema) and Pyrrhura Conures, has increased enormously, and Lovebirds and Cockatiels have just about retained their popularity.
The breeding of the larger, noisier Parrots has decline. This is partly due to the smaller size of gardens, and the closer proximity of neighbours. Building materials have increase greatly in price and aviaries for the bigger Parrots have become very expensive.
The proximity of neighbours to small gardens is an issue to consider when starting. Some of the smaller Parrots, such as Cockatiels and Sun Conures, have loud voices that will not be appreciate by non-bird keepers.
Grass Parakeets, Bourke’s Parakeets, Budgerigars (in small numbers), Lineolated Parakeets, Kakarikis, Lovebirds and Pyrrhura Conures, such as the Green-cheeked, are perfect for many reasons, including quieter voices and prolificacy.They are hardy, with the exception of some Neophemas which require more sheltered and even slightly heated accommodation in the winter.
What is the best time and place to buy a young bird?
The most important piece of advice I can offer to someone starting is to buy young birds – and to buy from breeders. Also buy closed-ringed stock as the rings will have the year of hatching stamped on them and closed rings are the sign of a serious and reputable breeder. Plastic rings, which can be temporarily use to mark individuals, are useful for nothing else and might soon come off.
Serious breeders will have the young of monomorphic species (plumage alike in male and female) DNA sexe. If the is not ring their sex cannot be guarantee as the ring number will be shown on the sexing certificate.
DNA sexing has been a giant step forward in parrot aviculture for more than 30 years. It is also extremely useful for breeders who are selling young stock.Of sexually dichromatic species plumage differs in male and female because they do not need to wait for young birds to moult into adult plumage before selling them.
Breeders is always please of course, when a pair rears a lot of young in one clutch. But should they be? With Rosellas, and Kakarikis, for example, large clutches can be laid. Is this good.Breeding Parakeets