Depressed ringneck

[Lanazielinski]

I have a pair of ringnecks in an outdoor aviary and I recently placed a nest box inside hoping they would breed. Ive seen them mating once but ever since the hen has been sitting outside the nest box never going inside just sitting there quietly. It's been two weeks and It's very unlike her and I'm not sure if this is normal for a hormonal ringneck. Ive had her 17 years and she tried to sit on some eggs last year but nothing hatched. Any advice would be great

 

[DonnaBudgie]

What's the male doing while the hen sits there? Feeding her? Grooming her?
Two weeks isn't that long. Maybe she isn't in the right place in the cycle now hormonally to start laying eggs. As long as she's eating and pooping normally and you don't thinks she's sick. Do you have access to an avian vet? If she's not otherwise acting healthy I'd have her checked.

If you are planning on breeding them, you should read up on handfeeding because parents sometimes reject chicks and you need to have a plan in place and the proper equipment (small incubator about $60 on Amazon,bi have two; handfeeding formula, etc) in case you need to intervene to save a chick. Don't wait until the need arises prepare.

 

[Lanazielinski]

The male doesn't do much he just sits near her but she feeds and grooms herself well enough. I used to breed cockatiels years ago so I have all the equipment ready but I never used any of it. This is my first time trying to breed ringnecks and it's a bit trickier than cockatiels. Ive just never seen a bird act like she has been and thought I should ask advice to see if this was normal. Thanks so much for replying!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If the only thing that's changed is adding the nestbox I doubt she's depressed. She has a mate and an aviary- what more could a parrot in captivity for 17 years want? Illness would have an effect on her activity level, so I'd have her checked by an avian vet.

Does the male feed and groom her? If he doesn't I don't think they are bonded enough to breed or just not ready at the moment. What is their diet? Giving lots of chop, fresh vegetables and fruit may trick them into thinking "food is plentiful thus we must make baby birds". That's how it works in nature. How many hours of daylight are they getting each day? Increasing the day period to 16 hours also can trick them into thinking its breeding season with long days to feed babies.

You could also try removing the box and seeing if she becomes more like her old self.