Birds Unlimited's Babies

What we do at Birds Unlimited may take time, but after more than 36 years, we know what works. Through years of networking and industry contacts, we’ve also seen how other stores raise their birds—and we still believe our approach is better than most.

Nearly all of our smaller birds are locally raised, while many larger species come from the South or Midwest. Some are raised here or by our staff. Some are driven to us, while many arrive by air.

Once a bird reaches the store, it receives a quick evaluation and a warm meal. Nearly all of our babies still require handfeeding. When the store closes, the youngest birds head home with me because they need feeding around the clock.

Depending on the season, I may transport six to 60 or more babies back and forth every day. By the time you pick up your bird, it may already have traveled hundreds of miles. The trip to your home should be uneventful—although, of course, your driving skills may vary from mine. Just saying.

As the birds mature, they can begin staying overnight at the store, eliminating the daily travel. When they can eat and drink independently and confidently navigate their cage, they’re ready for their new homes.

We also encourage our birds to fly and learn to land before their wings are clipped. We believe this helps build confidence. Our staff loves playing with the birds, too—it’s good for the birds and fun for us.

Some larger species may spend four or five months here before they’re ready to leave. That means a lot of handfeeding, care, patience, and attention.

Again, we do not sell unweaned babies. Improper handfeeding can lead to serious accidents, and knowing when to reduce feedings during the weaning process takes experience. We’ve been doing this for over 50 years. Don’t let anyone talk you into taking an unweaned bird.

If we believed selling unweaned babies was the best way to place birds, we would do it. It isn’t.

Although we’re closed to customers on Sundays, our staff still comes in to feed the birds and check on everything from boarders to babies. We care for them 365 days a year.

The babies are probably the single best part of this job. We could bring in more, but we choose to take only the number we can properly handle, feed, socialize, and care for.

Our staff arrives two hours before opening to prepare the store. Every day, every occupied cage is scrubbed with a Clorox solution and supplied with fresh food, clean water, and fresh paper. Our boarders receive the same level of care.

By the time we open our doors, the store is clean, the birds are fed, the cages are refreshed, and the floors are vacuumed.

That’s what goes into raising and caring for a Birds Unlimited baby before it ever goes home with you.