Post by Master Yarak on Jul 25, 2004 17:38:47 GMT -5
Considerations of weight
Why do we weigh? Is it simply hunger that motivates?
What correlation is their between weight and hunger.
Survival is the basic drive in all animals. In predators it manifests itself in the killing and eating of other animals. Most predators kill only for food. This is true of raptors as well. They must take in more energy than they expend or they will starve. A bird at high weight will respond almost like a bird at low weight. Why? When you understand this, it makes perfect sense. Neither bird wants to waste energy. The fat bird is content to save the energy. The low bird has none to waste so he waits for a sure thing. Once the bird knows we always have food you can begin to raise the birds weight. Why? It requires little energy to aquire. The intake outweights the expenditure. It is my goal to have a bird kept in the condition of a tri-athlete not a high percentage of body fat, but still maintains some fat for energy expenditure.
Rhythm, it too is part of all things. It is part of the nature of Red-Tails. What is the most valuable meal to a Red-Tail? It is the evening. Why? It gets colder at night. The birds metabolism speeds up to maintain body temperature. If it wakes up in the morning already in the negative energy collum, it is in for a long day. You see them one place on your way to work and another on your way home. Morn and eve meals. By regimenting the bird's eating schedule we can influence that rythm.
That is why I weigh at the same time, and I fly at the same time. That can also add predictability, a rare comodity in this sport. It also allows a wider weight range. The bird can still be "heavy" and fly well if it is a afternoon/evening. Her rythm is telling her the dinner bell is ringing. All her drives are in place, yet she is not hungry... well not by her weight. Her stomach rumbles and tells her it has been 24hrs since her last meal. If she is not "fat" she will be well motivated. It relates to hunger drives without being too low. Even in good condition a bird that is "low"will not have much stamina. It will take longer for the energy to return after an unsuccessful chase. You will notice a rise in reckless attempts that seem hopeless. The bird is getting desperate. Not desireable for hawk or hawker. To me falconry is being a part of nature. That said I want to exploit the nature of this hawk. That is done through rythmic regimine. Like clockwork. That is how the state of "Yarak" is induced. The bird anticipates the hunt it becomes hyper-stimulated in preperation of killing.
Now dont get wrong their is some variation life is like that. If you make it a priority, all the time, you might be suprised by the results. This is applicable to all falconry birds. Weight alone is not always the answer. So many times their are other factors overlooked that contribute.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this is not a declaration of facts. Merely observations and recorded data. I am NO expert, just passionate. Their is more I could say but I am a very slow typist. I will however be pleased to clairify any points made or to give further explanation as requested. I hope this helps.
Yarak
Why do we weigh? Is it simply hunger that motivates?
What correlation is their between weight and hunger.
Survival is the basic drive in all animals. In predators it manifests itself in the killing and eating of other animals. Most predators kill only for food. This is true of raptors as well. They must take in more energy than they expend or they will starve. A bird at high weight will respond almost like a bird at low weight. Why? When you understand this, it makes perfect sense. Neither bird wants to waste energy. The fat bird is content to save the energy. The low bird has none to waste so he waits for a sure thing. Once the bird knows we always have food you can begin to raise the birds weight. Why? It requires little energy to aquire. The intake outweights the expenditure. It is my goal to have a bird kept in the condition of a tri-athlete not a high percentage of body fat, but still maintains some fat for energy expenditure.
Rhythm, it too is part of all things. It is part of the nature of Red-Tails. What is the most valuable meal to a Red-Tail? It is the evening. Why? It gets colder at night. The birds metabolism speeds up to maintain body temperature. If it wakes up in the morning already in the negative energy collum, it is in for a long day. You see them one place on your way to work and another on your way home. Morn and eve meals. By regimenting the bird's eating schedule we can influence that rythm.
That is why I weigh at the same time, and I fly at the same time. That can also add predictability, a rare comodity in this sport. It also allows a wider weight range. The bird can still be "heavy" and fly well if it is a afternoon/evening. Her rythm is telling her the dinner bell is ringing. All her drives are in place, yet she is not hungry... well not by her weight. Her stomach rumbles and tells her it has been 24hrs since her last meal. If she is not "fat" she will be well motivated. It relates to hunger drives without being too low. Even in good condition a bird that is "low"will not have much stamina. It will take longer for the energy to return after an unsuccessful chase. You will notice a rise in reckless attempts that seem hopeless. The bird is getting desperate. Not desireable for hawk or hawker. To me falconry is being a part of nature. That said I want to exploit the nature of this hawk. That is done through rythmic regimine. Like clockwork. That is how the state of "Yarak" is induced. The bird anticipates the hunt it becomes hyper-stimulated in preperation of killing.
Now dont get wrong their is some variation life is like that. If you make it a priority, all the time, you might be suprised by the results. This is applicable to all falconry birds. Weight alone is not always the answer. So many times their are other factors overlooked that contribute.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this is not a declaration of facts. Merely observations and recorded data. I am NO expert, just passionate. Their is more I could say but I am a very slow typist. I will however be pleased to clairify any points made or to give further explanation as requested. I hope this helps.
Yarak