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Okay.
So What Should I do Then?
If you've got this far I must have caught your interest. If you still want to buy a barn owl perhaps I can persuade you to do it properly. They will still be available after you have arranged suitable accommodation and have the answers to all your questions. A calm environment on Moving In Day will ensure your new charge settles in quickly and bonds with you as it's keeper, unlike the episode on the last page. It is not the exaggerated, improbable scenario that you think. It happens quite often and is easily avoided. With the correct management your ego booster can live in captivity for up to 20 years. Both of you will have matured quite considerably by then, but your mates will be more impressed if you have managed to keep your owl!
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If you're reading this then you have internet access. Lots of information can be gained from many sites available, designed by people with you in mind.
Steve's Owl Pages are a good place to start. Email addresses are available for information requests. Remember, you and your charge have to live together for 20 years or more. Life will be more pleasant for you both if you are armed with good knowledge.
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The Falconer's home page will give you even more information. There is even a veterinary section. And a page on training to fly. The Hawk Conservancy Council and the National birds of Prey Centre will give you lots more information and links to even more sites. The Barn Owl Centre will give you an insight into your charge's wild counterparts and if your interest grows check out the UK Animal Rescuers site for more related websites. If your interest in wildlife expands try the UK Safari site. As an experienced owl keeper, you can try my site at Wild-Life-Line and email me with questions. The world is your oyster. You just have to get out there and find it!
Finally, if you wish to fly it, even when you have done everything right, there is a slight risk of losing your bird. Steps can be taken to greatly improve your chances of recovery. Check the Independent Bird Register site where rings can be bought to place on your bird, with a unique registration number and a contact phone number for the finder.
Most large pet stores sell a variety of food for a variety of pets, and chicks should be easy to obtain. However their prices can be quite high and it would be more economical to buy in bulk and freeze. Try to find a local poultry farm willing to sell day old cockerels and the best place to start is good old Yellow Pages. Do remember that an owl needs more than just chicks in it's diet. Mice and rats go down very well and provide the bird with vitamins essential for good health.
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On a final note, would your local veterinary surgery be willing to treat your owl if it becomes ill or injured? Would they be willing to contact a specialist avian vet if their experience was limited? Of course you are not expecting your owl to become ill, because you are going to look after it properly, now you are armed with all that vital knowledge. However it is worth bearing in mind!
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