Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/10/2007

Question
Hello, I was wondering, is it better to have one, or two pairs of parakeets for breeding? I can't breed them for a few months, as they are still in the 4-6 month range. Will they breed alright just the two of them? Or should I get 2 more?

Answer
Hi, Carissa,

It depends on the birds.  Keets are social animals.  This means they usually do better when there are several/many in a flock that they can see or hear.  However, some keets do better when in pairs only, i.e., you can successfully breed 1 pair of birds.  I'd start with 1 pair and see how it goes.  

Keets need to be at least 1 year old before breeding them, particularly the female.  Be sure they are on a variety of healthy, nutritional human foods, not all seed.  Visit my website for more information:  www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html.  Diet is very important for birds that are to be bred.  Also be aware that not all birds get along together.  In other words, there are no guarantees that the 2 birds you put together will bond and breed successfully....it's a chance we take when we buy birds.

Chrys