Why we wont ever do communal ‘free flight’ for parrot boarders.
The truth is parrot boarding is incredibly challenging to get ‘right’.
Often what’s best and safe for the parrot in these environments completely clashes with the needs and expectations of the clients. Boarding is actually one of the primary places parrots catch deadly diseases. To completely remove any risk, boarding birds would have to be kept in completely separate isolated clinical spaces. however we know if this was the case no one would use a facility like this. Therefore, often you find you have to meet somewhere in the middle.
I have seem plenty of parrot boarding facilities offer communal ‘free flight’ and as much as It sounds lovely and very enticing saying parrots are let out of cages all day to free fly and socialise with one another. In reality this can be a complete recipe for disaster.
Parrots are easily stressed, aggressive & territorial by nature not to mention this would instantly transfer diseases and parasites. Moreover many parrots in the pet trade are hand reared or kept solitary and have never come across another parrot before which can actually be very stressful to then be suddenly thrown into a group of other birds of varying species in a strange environment, all which all communicate completely differently.
Its a bit like letting every dog in a boarding kennel exercise by opening all the doors at once and letting them all run crazy around the premises, poo everywhere and run into each others kennels unrestrained – no where ever would do this!
We focus instead on
Family - All parrots boarded with us have been tested and come back negative for the most deadly diseases to ensure our family circle remains safer.
Less is more - Only an absolute maximum of three birds boarded at the same time, but most often its actually only two.
Cages spaced as far apart as possible and regular fresh air is moved through.
Larger than typical cages.
F10 Veterinary disinfectant for all cleaning.
Daily new enrichment.
Constant steady stream of human interaction (we both do this job full time).
