Hey board What are your guys methods of keeping those talons sharp and getting dull ones back into shape? Mine is soaking the feet in warm water but im curious to see what other people do.
My soul is sick of chicken soup, it wants some chocolate!
Ya know, I was just speaking with my sponsor about that today. The other day my kestrel was tethered to a perch that was simply set down on conrete for a while and just walking around on the concrete for an hour or two blunted her talons pretty good. He said that when the bird cleans it's toes after eating it is sharpening it own talons with its beak. I would think if you could just avoid perching materials and substraits that dull the talons, it shouldn't take too long for them to sharpen to a nice tip again. I'm with you, though, I'm also curious as to what other people have to say about this.
Epson salts in water. If you get a hold of a good size pet carrier you can fill the bottom of it with about 1-2 inches of water. Simply put the bird in the carrier and make sure that it is kept covered and dark so the bird doesn't thrash around. I know several falconers that have used this method. I have used a different method that isn't quite as efficient but it works eventually. I take a wash towel and soak it, lay it on the perch and put the bird on it. I then fold the towel around her feet as much as she will allow. The talons become soft on the outer layers and will be easy to scrape off. It may take several sessions of these techniqes to get the desired look, but it is much better that filing them down. Just my two cents. Cheers, The Weasel
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Post by Master Yarak on Oct 21, 2004 10:34:10 GMT -5
I have never had to use any method for sharpening talons. Either the birds bathing and hygeine has been enough, or the mews does not cause dulling. In Dec it will be ten years. I can tell you her toes are pointy. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
One of the local falconers is using rubber mats under his birds to keep the talons sharp. As in mews flooring and under the portable perch. So when they bate they aren't dulling their talons. A friend used gravel in his mews and his birds did get dull talons. The rubber mats run about $8 at the auto stores.
I'm going for prevention. Foam pad with carpet on top for under my Kestrel perch in the house or perhaps the rubber mat.
" Insanity takes its toll..........please have exact change"
The rubber mat theory can be taken one step further. An old bicycle tire on the perch works well for sharpening. But, be sure it is a white colored tire a black one will get pretty darn hot!
I use rubber lock mats from Lowes. They're 1/2" thick by 2'x2' at $1 a sq ft. nice thing is they can be pulled out to wash or replace. You can even get them in different colors if you're looking to coordinate. Kurt
a number of older falconers i've spoke with have issues with putting a tethered raptor on something they can hook their talons into and grip, other than the perch itself, the concern is that the bird can hold on and pull on her anklets causing undue scale damage. Never heard of this happening, just heard of the theory.
Post by Master Yarak on Oct 31, 2004 13:41:58 GMT -5
Minca, Makes sense to me. Its all about prevention all the time in every aspect of this sport. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
Post by Master Yarak on Nov 1, 2004 23:34:32 GMT -5
Again its a matter of space money etc. Everyone could free loft if they constructed their facilities for it! Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
Had no choice but to follow my sponsor and my sponsor's sponsor advise for my facility - after all my sponsor's sponsors have about 20 birds at their facility and have been in the "sport" for 30 + years. Next facility may be different after General status. At 44 yrs old following the rules as presented as it should be no questions asked.
Post by Master Yarak on Nov 2, 2004 1:10:01 GMT -5
No stab just did not have all the info stay the course and it will all be good! Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away