Weathering: portable dog pen!

[Kitana]

Hi everyone!

I'm really excited, the falconry materials I ordered last week are beginning to be delivered!

For the weathering area, I do not have the right to build a permanent one, thanks to bird flu regulations! So instead, I ordered a pliable, wire dog kennel that I can transport with me. I took a very large one, 8x8, 48inches tall, and if it is too small, I can add other panels later. This picture describes it very well:

www.businessvision.net/Edge/ProductImage.asp?StoreId=1498&ProductCode=XP636&Rank=1

I saw a similar setup in Beebe's book (I think), with a roof made of green tarp. I will use ½tarp-½mesh for roofing, but my goal is to weather the bird only when I'm outside with him. With this pen, I'll be able to desensitize my dog to the bird and my bird to my dog, without fearing that the dog could reach the bird. Small predators such as weasels can easily enter this pen, but as I said I won't let the bird alone in there.

Does anyone use a similar setup? Of course teh bird will be tethered.

[Falcon Boy]

The bird is going to want to be on top of the wire because it is slightly above where he is sitting. They are almost always looking to be higher up. If you try and roof it that lowover their head they may hit it if they bate.


**EDIT** And to be honest, i dont see much difference between a 4ft high weathering and just having the bird on a perch in the yard if your going to be out there with them the whole time.

[Kitana]

admin said:

**EDIT** And to be honest, i dont see much difference between a 4ft high weathering and just having the bird on a perch in the yard if your going to be out there with them the whole time.

If I was alone with the bird, I wouldn't need an enclosure. But my dog will be with me and although I have a very good control over her, a dog is a dog. And sometimes in the summer there will be kids at my place, 1 year old to 6 years old. I just don't want an accident to happen, that's the reason for the fence.

I take good note of your comment about bating. Do you think a tall perch (don't remember the name sorry, the one that rotates on itself at a height of 4-6 feet) would help against the bating? Without roofing of course...

[Falcon Boy]

A lot of people dont like tall perches becuase if the bird bates, due to extra leash length, its more shock on their legs. Personally i like them with a well manned bird. It makes them feel safe and there isnt as much of a need for fencing. I woudl personally go for the high perch.

[tytan]

does your area not require a mews and weathering area?

[Kitana]

tytan said:

does your area not require a mews and weathering area?

No, the only requirement is the mews and it is not even inspected, you can keep your bird in your home if you want to.

As for the weathering, it is forbidden by law since last summer I think to keep any bird outside because of the bird flu paranoia, so all captive birds must be kept in an enclosed building with no access to wild birds. I explained that my bird was no poultry but the law is made that way for now. I planned to build a nice weathering but will just do it next year instead.