These turtledoves get along well in mixed aviaries, including cohabiting with smaller species. We recommend keeping more than a pair of Namaqua Dove in your aviary, preferably, without mixing with other species of turtledoves. These birds are far from shy when they meet in an environment where they feel comfortable. They are domesticated with great speed. These turtledoves are nothing restless, however, they are birds very calm. They like to take baths in the sand to take care of the their plume. You must give them this opportunity, putting on the floor of the aviary a ceramic dish filled with fine and clean sand.
Habitat:
Preferably, these birds must be breed in an aviary indoors, which must be located in a sheltered place. Given that they like to take refuge among the vegetation, they should be afforded this opportunity. These birds breed well in an indoor aviary, provided they have at their disposal plants in sufficient quantity. As they do not climb, the cage or aviary must be larger in width than height.
Breeding:
If you want these birds to mate, you can hang several nest boxes in sheltered areas of the aviary, allowing the birds to choose their own places to nest. The Namaqua Doves lay two eggs, which, on average, hatch after approximately two weeks. The birds win plumage after another two weeks. If the parents showed a good physical condition, they will soon begin a new litter. It is recommended that you separate the offspring from the parents as soon as they can feed by themselves. It takes between three to four months until the pups acquire their final coloring. The birds are only able to breed when they reach one year and a half to two years of life. Try to avoid any disruption throughout the period of gestation.
Food:
You can feed these birds with a seed mix for parakeets from Australia and with tropical small birds, besides Italian millet. In general, they also enjoy sprouted seeds. Of course you should always have in your aviary a sufficient amount of sandstone, so that the birds can eat the quantities they need. Once in a while, also enjoy food made with eggs.
