BREEDING AGE: An absolute minimum of 12 months. However many breeders prefer to set up pairs between 18 and 24 months to allow for full maturity.

ONSET OF EGG LAYING: Most pairs will produce eggs within ten to fourteen days after being placed in a breeding pen with an acceptable mate, nest box and conditioning diet. If the pair do not produce in a few weeks, try re-matching them to different mates or check their condition or or breeding environment, including photo-light period and humidity.

INCUBATION: Eggs hatch between 18 and 21 days, depending upon when the hen first begins to sit the clutch. Virgin hens, in particular, may not sit until the second or third egg is laid.

BANDING: Closed, coded, seamless leg bands serve as permanent identification and are available through national organizations. Depending on the bloodlines, chicks may banded between 10 days and two weeks of age, around the time the eye slits are opening. Very large chicks may need to be banded earlier. Pet quality (smaller size) birds may even be banded a few days later. (Check the chicks each morning to be certain the band remains on the leg).

FLEDGING: Chicks leave the nest between four and five weeks of age. They are fully feathered except for a short tailand are still dependent upon their parents for food. They will learn from their parents to pick at food and return to the nest box at night to sleep until fully feathered.

WEANING: Chicks are fully weaned anywhere from seven to ten weeks (eight may be average) when parent-reared; or eight to ten weeks or even later when handfed. Chicks which continue to beg for food and do not have a full crop should continue to be fed. Formal studies at U.C. Davis have demonstrated that chicks will wean when they are developmentally ready to do so and not before. Providing a water dish helps in the process of weaning when hand-feeding birds. Stop feeding only when the chick's crops continue to be full at night, for several evenings, showing they are capable of eating on their own.