Post by floridafalconer on Apr 25, 2007 9:35:18 GMT -5
I finally took some photos of my mews and weathering and decided to post them.
Mews and Weathering
The mews is two by four construction with 1/2" plywood and shingle roof. It measures 8 feet by 13 feet, and is 9 feet high at the peak. The walls are solid on two sides. The west side has a food door and platform for the molt. The north wall is solid except for a barred window in the door. The east wall has a 5 feet by 6 feet barred window. The south wall has a 4 feet by 5 feet window that meets the eastern window at the corner. All windows are screened with mosquito netting.
Mews Interior
The weathering is framed with 4 by 4 posts and two by four bracing. The covering is 2" by 4" field fence. Ther is two feet of 1" chicken wire buried along the perimeter of the weathering and extending 6 inches up the sides. The chicken wire is covered with mulch. The dimensions of the weathering area are twelve feet by thirteen feet and eight feet high. The top is covered with 2" mesh chicken wire over crossed cables. The bird will be tethered in the weathering area.
Side View of Weathering
Mews and Weathering Rear View
Now I can't wait until trapping season! (Starts September 15th here in Florida).
Post by floridafalconer on Apr 25, 2007 10:05:10 GMT -5
FB,
Thanks for the kind words!
The building was an existing outbuilding. I just cut out the windows and barred them.
The weathering was built from scratch. I had moved the fence around our property and had enough left over to fence the entire weathering, so the fencing was free!!
The cost was around $400.00.
jfneumann57,
As for the jump box plans, I just copied my Sponsor's jump box. If you'd like, I can take some more photos of the box and post the accurate dimensions as well. It's pretty simple to build.
Here are some rough approximate dimensions. The height is four feet. The length is three feet and the bottom width is about three feet. I like it because it provides a top perch, and a dual perch on the bottom section. If you use a bow or ring perch and allow enough leash, a bird will be able to access the top perch, the box interior, the bow or ring perch and a bath pan placed to one side of the jump box.
Here's a more detailed picture.
The feet are 2" by 8"'s 4' long. The back is covered with hardware cloth on the upper section with a solid plywood lower back section.
If you have any more questions, I'll gladly answer them.
Post by floridafalconer on Apr 25, 2007 12:23:32 GMT -5
Thanks Rage,
Yes. I'm a first year apprentice. My permit came near the end of Florida's trapping season and I was unable to trap a bird in time, so I'll have to wait until September.
At least that will give me time to start my rat breeding in the meantime. ;D
Post by floridafalconer on Apr 27, 2007 14:33:16 GMT -5
jfneumann57,
Here are a couple of rough sketches. My computer art skills are sadly lacking.
The first photo shows the component parts and the second drawing shows assembly. If anything is unclear I will be glad to clarify it. I apologize in advance for the color scheme, I just thought it would help identify where each piece goes.
I'm impressed with your Microsoft Paint skills. That must have taken quite a while!
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