Buying an Indian ringneck.

[mylori]

Im going to buy an Indian ringneck this week. Its 7 weeks old just got a few questions.

1. Do i have to hand feed at this age?
2. Im going on holiday for 1 or 2 weeks in about 2 months time. Is it ok if im not here for 1 or 2 weeks and someone else looks after my bird in that time?
3. Do indian rignecks wash themselves or do i have to wash it.
4. What are dangerous foods for indian ringnecks and do they eat meat?

[mylori]

Also with the feeding question. What should i be feeding it at 7 weeks?

[Ashling]

It's great that you've come to ask questions before bringing your bird home. It sounds to me that you have a lot more research to do before you bring a bird home but we're here to help. I am no expert on ringnecks, but I'll help out where I can.

1. You shouldn't have to hand feed at this stage, but baby birds can revert back to hand feeding in the stress of moving to a new home. Make sure you are prepared or this.

2. This could affect the relationship you have with your bird in the crucial early stages of your bonding time. It would be wise to buy the bird AFTER you have gone on holiday and have time to care for it and bond with it without interruptions. You never know how well another person will care for your bird, it is always risky leaving them with another person for such an amount of time.

3. Birds preen themselves throughout the day and shouldn't need to be "washed" but birds do enjoy bathing themselves in a shallow dish, their water bowls or even in the shower with you. It is good for their feathers and some really enjoy it too! This mustn't be forced though, some bird never like bathing.

4. I will post a link to foods that are dangerous to birds and also some other household dangers. They can eat meat in very small quantities as it is much too high in protein and not really part of their natural diet.

I don't know much about ringnecks but you can feed them pellets, sprouts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, pastas and cereals. A more extensive guide can be given by a ringneck owner I'm sure.

Links:
http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/alerts.htm
http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.c...for-birds.html

[mylori]

Originally Posted by Ashling

It's great that you've come to ask questions before bringing your bird home. It sounds to me that you have a lot more research to do before you bring a bird home but we're here to help. I am no expert on ringnecks, but I'll help out where I can.

1. You shouldn't have to hand feed at this stage, but baby birds can revert back to hand feeding in the stress of moving to a new home. Make sure you are prepared or this.

2. This could affect the relationship you have with your bird in the crucial early stages of your bonding time. It would be wise to buy the bird AFTER you have gone on holiday and have time to care for it and bond with it without interruptions. You never know how well another person will care for your bird, it is always risky leaving them with another person for such an amount of time.

3. Birds preen themselves throughout the day and shouldn't need to be "washed" but birds do enjoy bathing themselves in a shallow dish, their water bowls or even in the shower with you. It is good for their feathers and some really enjoy it too! This mustn't be forced though, some bird never like bathing.

4. I will post a link to foods that are dangerous to birds and also some other household dangers. They can eat meat in very small quantities as it is much too high in protein and not really part of their natural diet.

I don't know much about ringnecks but you can feed them pellets, sprouts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, pastas and cereals. A more extensive guide can be given by a ringneck owner I'm sure.

Links:
Alerts Dangers and Toxins for Pet Birds Parrots
Non-toxic for birds list and a list of thngs that are toxic for birds.

Thanks for the info.

Also about me going on holiday. Another family member will be looking after it. Is that ok since the bird is going to see all family members everyday even when i am at home.

[mylori]

sorry. was a double post

[Rahni]

In that case there shouldn't be so much of a problem, the bird will be familiar with your family and so will hopefully not be stressed by your absence. As long as they are prepared to maintain the level of care and also the routine and attention (eg. getting it out of the cage for playtime regularly, etc) then you should be fine.

[mylori]

Originally Posted by Rahni

In that case there shouldn't be so much of a problem, the bird will be familiar with your family and so will hopefully not be stressed by your absence. As long as they are prepared to maintain the level of care and also the routine and attention (eg. getting it out of the cage for playtime regularly, etc) then you should be fine.

Theres no problem with that. There all looking forward to me buying a new bird

[Ashling]

Sounds fine then. Do you have any more questions? There i a section of thi board dedicated to ringnecks if you want ringneck specific information. Are you planning to take the bird to an avian vet to give it a clean bill of health? Birds are very good at hiding illnesses. What kind of cage and toys have you got for him? Oh and what colour are you getting!?

[mylori]

Well i didnt think i needed to take it to a vet as soon as i buy it cause the pet store im buying it from the owner breeds the birds at his house. He said the indian ringnecks will be ready soometime this week. He sells thems when they are 7 weeks.

If there is a yellow one ill be getting that if not ill get green. I dont have much toys atm. I have a couple of balls with bells in it and a couple of ropes.

Also where is the section for indian ringnecks?

[Ashling]

The vet check is entirely up to you; it enables you to have bloos tests done, chlamydia tests, psitacosis and to DNA sex your bird to know what gender it is, among other things.

The yellow ones are beautiful :)

Ringneck section:
Ringnecks - BirdBoard.Com - Parrot Message Board & Pet Bird Owner Forums