Falconry Business

bizzyb

I have been pondering this idea for a while now,falconry is a passion of mine and would love to use my skills to start a small business from it.
First of all what do people think of this idea? I have 5k to start up, i no its not alot. Rather than spend money i dont have on a centre i was thinking of maybe doing it mobile. At the momment i just fly a harris hawk so my first priority would be to get more birds. I noticed from other falconry business there main service seem to be hawk walks, if anyone has any other ideas how i could generate customers throw trhem at me.What other factors would i need to consider like insurance etc.
Thank you for reading, any feedback would be a great help.

bizzyb

bizzyb wrote: »

I have been pondering this idea for a while now,falconry is a passion of mine and would love to use my skills to start a small business from it.
First of all what do people think of this idea? I have 5k to start up, i no its not alot. Rather than spend money i dont have on a centre i was thinking of maybe doing it mobile. At the momment i just fly a harris hawk so my first priority would be to get more birds. I noticed from other falconry business there main service seem to be hawk walks, if anyone has any other ideas how i could generate customers throw trhem at me.What other factors would i need to consider like insurance etc.
Thank you for reading, any feedback would be a great help.

Theres a recent episode of the dragons den in the uk where a girl who ran a falconry business in wales got investment. great setup she had, very smart business plan. I would reccomend you find that episode It think its one of the early ones in the latest serious

RATM

I'd imagine breeding falcons and other birds of prey could be lucrative for the pet trade. Though I'm not sure how difficult this is.

Not sure how much there is to be made just having a falcony center. Why go somewhere to see birds when you can go to the zoo to see hundreds of animals?

Some 5 star hotels offer falconry to their clients, maybe this could be the way to go until you get set up and get to know the business?

Fionn101

you could investigate the clearing of airstrips and farmland of birds,by using your predatory birds...quite a lot of repeat business in this,and it's non destructive to the crop (or plane!).

For a list of airfeilds see http://www.flyinginireland.com/component/option,com_qpersonel/Itemid,67/katid,2/task,qpListele/

hope this helps
Fionn

tombull82

Not sure where you are based but there is a guys running a similar business from Rathwood (life style / garden centre in Carlow) maybe worth a trip to have a look at what he has setup and see if you can implement / improve on it ???

bizzyb

Thank you for all your replies i have alot to consider.Just one other question if i went down the route of opening a centre would i be entitled to any grants to get it up and running?

just pete

You possibly would from your local enterprise board, you should go in and have a chat