This is a new SS meng style perch from Geoff. If you've seen the ones on the Modern Apprentice site ...this is the guy. He's making them to order now. This one is mine!!! ;D
This is a new SS meng style perch from Geoff. If you've seen the ones on the Modern Apprentice site ...this is the guy. He's making them to order now. This one is mine!!! ;D
My sponsor uses that perch for his HH. He definitely advocates the use of this type of perch as it not only helps with saving the tail but also has a greater chance to prevent broken legs caused by bating.
Ummm....This style of pearch is actually the worst for a tail....It's all about the height of the ring and the fact that the leash will drape over the top 50% of the time when it bates......In my opinion, it is one of the worst perch designs. I prefer either a properly sized block or a low and wide bow that the ring can freely glide over. I have tried MANY perches, but the block is the safest to me.....No matter what style you use, make sure the leash attachment point is as low as possible to avoid it angling through the tail while the bird is on the ground. I am not sure how this perch could be considered safer with respect to broken legs either? I am interested to hear your sponsors reasoning behind this. As far as I can tell, it is the same if not more likely to break a leg from bating do to the lenght of leash now required to let the bird land on the ground as this perch appears form the phot to be too tall. The longer the leash, the greater force a raptor can build up until it reaches the end of the leash.
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."
I,ve never used one but if i remember right the length of leash is just enough so the bird can touch the ground causing the legs to be pulled from underneath the bird which causes the tail to be angled way up. I thought the exact same thing weasel.
I really don't understand the reason for making a perch so high/tall, and putting the tie off ring high up. In my experience, the shorter/lower the perch and ring, the better. But that's me.
Anyone know what fabric/string/rope is wrapped on the perch in the pic? I can't tell.
Post by basenjishunt on Aug 4, 2008 11:09:20 GMT -5
The Meng Perch has been around for decades. It's not new or improved, just different. The optimum leash angle is about 45 degrees for the desirted affect of the tail being out of the way when the bird bates. I've senn birds hung up on bows and rotating ring perches, but not on a Meng. Heinz Meng was a pretty well thought of falconry pioneer (first guy to breed peregrines in captivity, for one.) The perch is counter intuitive to look at but if you see one in action you'll be a believer. Check out Lydia Ash's site, The Modern Apprentice, she's used these perches for years...Tim
Your perch looks great! I've of people who use them that I have talked to most say that it works just as it's advertised to, if you use it correctly. I've heard only a few people that actually used one say something bad about them.
Anyone know what fabric/string/rope is wrapped on the perch in the pic? I can't tell.
It looks like stuff called synthetic bark that Geoff Hirschi wraps them in. Here is his website, if you scroll all the way to the bottom you will see an explination about it with a picture: www.myrthwood.com/TieEmHigh/PerchModels.html
Here is explination as to how the perch is supposed to work:
Meng Perch Designed by Heinz Meng, this is really an altered bow perch with safety enhancements. It is sometimes called a Tail-Saver Perch. This perch is marked by a narrow perching surface at the top (roughly 9" across on this one) and a wide base (roughly 24" between the rays at the widest points) with vertical rays (the outermost rays are roughly 20" long) to prevent the bird from passing under the perch and tangling. The ring to attach a leash to is at the top as well. This counter-intuitive design actually allows the bird's bating to be against a high point thus literally pulling her feet out from under her and preventing her from getting a bate at an angle that would put enough stress on a leg to break it. The high attachment also means that when the bird bates and is pulled off-center, the tail does not get bent. The leash length should create roughly a 45° angle when the leash is fully extended. In fact, the leash will pass through the bird's tail. For this reason it is important that the swivel be located at a distance that it not pass through the tail. This is easiest to achieve with a jess extender. Because of the high tie-off point, be careful not to build this perch too tall else it can tip over. Heavy feet with long enough bases will help prevent this. Since the ring does not travel the length of the perch, there is no concern of the ring being trapped.
Post by basenjishunt on Aug 4, 2008 11:27:16 GMT -5
The "synthetic bark" Geoff make is really great, My HH's talons became needle sharp, and a nagging cut on the underside of his halux also cleared up. Geoff is making me anothet Meng right now.....Tim
Ok, I have never used one, and never seen one used because of the same reason weasel mentioned, but I was wondering, why can the ring not be put on the center vertical bar? This would allow the leash to be shorter, plus allow it to slide down towards the ground. I am just curious.
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
The whole perpous of the perch is the high tie off point, that is what makes it different then all the other perch types. This is was is said to create the "tail-saver" effect.
Post by basenjishunt on Aug 5, 2008 14:26:44 GMT -5
You would loose the purpose of the high tie off point. And when the bird bates while on the ground it would cause the added strain on the legs, which the high tie off point tries to redsuce. For most people it has to be seen in action to be appreciated. If you see a photo and think it looks "funky" or incapable of working as advertised, chances are you won't be convinced from explanations in print, no matter how detailed. I just prefer it to a bow for peace of mind. I've got nothing against bows, and use them. I just like the Meng better.-Tim
The whole perpous of the perch is the high tie off point, that is what makes it different then all the other perch types. This is was is said to create the "tail-saver" effect.
I guess I just don't get it. The whole high tie point seems like it would run the leash right through the tail feathers. The leg thing I understand because as the bird jumps the bird would raise up and take some of the energy away from the legs. But I still don't believe the feather thing.
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Post by basenjishunt on Aug 5, 2008 15:28:42 GMT -5
Ha ha!! ;D hear ya... but I put my HH on it for months before was convinced enough to put my new Gos on it. They bate off the perch, as they reach the end of the leash it pull their legs to the side, and as they land the leash is clear of the tail (every time!) If they are on the ground and bate foward, the leash can, and does go through the train sometimes, but does not harm the feathers beyond "mussing them up", as long as the swivel is not going through.(leash extender is key). If you go to NAFA this year, look for Steve Layman, Paul Domski, Goeff Hirschi, or Lydia Ash. They may have one with them, and can probably explain it better than I....Tim
The whole perpous of the perch is the high tie off point, that is what makes it different then all the other perch types. This is was is said to create the "tail-saver" effect.
I guess I just don't get it. The whole high tie point seems like it would run the leash right through the tail feathers. The leg thing I understand because as the bird jumps the bird would raise up and take some of the energy away from the legs. But I still don't believe the feather thing.
I also agree I now prefer the rotating ring perch with the ring at the bottom so it doesnt touch the tail. just my opinion