Barbary/Ringneck Dove Breeding

[Quails1]

Last month I brought home a pair of Barbary/ringneck doves, 1 male and 1 female per cage. I've seen others use an open nest and attached it to the inside wall of the cage. I don't have one but will get one soon.

What I do know from research (correct me if wrong):
- Doves will utilize an open nest, not a closed nest, like a nest box.
- They must feed on crushed shells for calcium.
- There should be one pair per enclosure for them to breed properly.
- It'll take lots of time to adjust and mature before they begin reproducing (how long though?).

Question is, how long will it take for them to thoroughly adjust to their new cage until they're capable of breeding? And at what age can they start actively breeding? I have done plenty of research, but I need real info from those who have real experience with breeding doves in a cage like this:

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I had some white homing pigeons, and a broken wing Ringneck dove in the same cage. It was about 2-3 months later that I noticed a couple of my white "pigeons" that hatched after I got the parents were getting grey rings on their necks. The broken wing dove had always been low on the totem poll in there, I guess not too low to resist mating! So I guess it is 1-2 months before they breed, based on what I found.

 

[Quails1]

I had some white homing pigeons, and a broken wing Ringneck dove in the same cage. It was about 2-3 months later that I noticed a couple of my white "pigeons" that hatched after I got the parents were getting grey rings on their necks. The broken wing dove had always been low on the totem poll in there, I guess not too low to resist mating! So I guess it is 1-2 months before they breed, based on what I found.

Thanks for the info! Now I just have to wait for more...

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Youre welcome!

 

[Quails1]

Youre welcome!

Also, at what age do they begin actively breeding?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Mine began actively breeding at about 2 years, they were breeding before, just not that often

 

[Quails1]

Mine began actively breeding at about 2 years, they were breeding before, just not that often

Thank you so much for your response! I got them at a young age, so I'm not expecting them to engage in courtship maybe until a year or two after (?). For now, they don't seem to get along or mind each other very well. Once they partake breeding, will they partner up?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I think they will. Mine were that way, arguing all of the time. But once they decided to breed, they got along and cared for each other

 

[Quails1]

I think they will. Mine were that way, arguing all of the time. But once they decided to breed, they got along and cared for each other

Thanks a million...

And can they start reproduction as early as 1 year of age (past their 1st year after hatching)?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Most breeds of dove can breed as early as 6-8 months, so a year should be plenty of time