So Jack and I were talking today about the clipping debate. I mentioned the different views of flighted birds versus non-flighted birds, birds actually learning how to fly and recall training.

Well, we have 4 acres of undeveloped land which we own adjacent to the store....

So we were thinking... building an aviary...... designed for this purpose (flying/learning/recall training).

Any suggestions/ideas/comments? I want to hear them all - pros and cons. Thanks!

That sounds wonderful Kathie.
You may get even more customers from people actually being able to see the birds outside of the store.

I have a few suggestions.

Go as big as you can.
Double mesh.
Partial roof/cover.
Good strong locks.

That sounds really awsome... I'd come fly Papi in it! I've heard of clubs that rent out gyms and stuff and charge people to come in and flight their bids. I've also heard of seminars where they teach you how to train them. I think that would be a great Idea. and I agree, seeing the birds outside of cages flying would bring more buisness.

P.S.... While your building the aviary, can you add an apartment for me?

See, we are all trying to boost your business Kathie.
More ideas?

Sounds like a good idea in theory, BUT, I would definitely be concerned with a health issue. Before I'd allow the integration of birds flying, I'd insist on a current health report specifying the bird is free of disease.

Great points so far. We did discuss the disease aspect. We would do the same thing that we do with boarding which is to request recent blood work.

Keep in mind that we are up North, so the building would have to be climate controlled, I assume, for the winter months, and would have to be protected from the elements... maybe like a huge Florida room? I like the idea of the mesh - fabulous - so that "new learners" would not hit the walls! Thanks!

What a wonderful idea. I too would eventually love to have something like that but chock full of plants from tiny to huge and a bench or two and perhaps a small water feature with an automated misting system.
I have seen a Parrot shower before where it was set up in such a way that the "shower" (mister) turned on when they flipped a switch.

What a fantastic idea, Kathie. Your store is so great!

Hi there - i think it sounds like a wonderful idea.

My older brother has Poultry & of course Poultry barns. I think the Poultry Industry - or farm equipment/bldg people could offer some quality advice & some economical solutions. When i was home last week i was reading all the farm equipment catalogs - sounds boring but they have the most amazing stuff - dreadfully expensive tho..........in most cases.

I think you could build a barn that was sectioned inside for different sized areas as well as perhaps quarantine areas. My father was a director of medical research for many years & they had divisions between areas with clothes(overalls & caps) [& showers] & boot disinfectant trays you had to walk thru, no way around them. You also had to know the codes for the doors - no wandering in & out.

I think that's a great idea for a nice safe and controlled area for this to be done without the worry of trees and the many hawks that live in the great Northeast too.