Weathering Area Zip Line Setup

[Joby]

I've had a number of folks ask me for pictures and a description of how I built my weathering area. I took some pics today and I'll send them to FB to post in this thread. My WA is 12x15 and it is totally modular, meaning that it is built in a series of panels. Each section is roughly 5x7 and they slide in betwen 4x4 posts and then just screw in. The roof is made up of three panels that are roughly 5x10. Everything is made of 2"x4"s and the posts are all 4"x4".

I have a hawk haus at one end of the zip line that is approximately 4' high, 2.5' deep and 3.5' wide. The zip line perches are made of 2 2"x"6"s stacked on top of each other (see photos for greater exlplanation) with the top being 10" across and the bottom probably around 20" across. The bottom of the perches has two holes bored into them which fit over two pieces of rebar that I've pounded into the ground.

The zip line is run through a hole in the bottom of each perch (with the line running about 2-3" above ground. The ends are then attached to ring bolts that are sunk into 4x4 posts at each end of the WA. The exposed wire behind each perch (again see picture for explanation) is covered with pipe insulation and then I've used carpet padding around each of the perches for extra protection of the talons when the bird bates. I have a ring/leash setup that runs on the line between the two perches. The substrate is pine bark mulch which doesn't mold and thus poses no risk for asper.

If you have any more specific questions regarding the setup, please don't hesitate to ask.
-Joe

[Falcon Boy]

Joe, tried to keep these in order, sorry if they aren't right. If some need to be switched just let me know which.
BTW- What kind of mulch is it? Havn't heard the best things about pine, esp. cedar. Tends to lead to respritory problems i think? Probably not an issue since your WA is so open though
PS- Ms. Grim looks damn good!






























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[Chuck]

Thanks for posting these pictures. I'll be adapting a zip line for my setup for sure. All I have to do is wait for the rest of my deliveries so I can build my hybrid mews/weathering area. Nice setup Joe, and a beautiful hawk. Sept. can't come quick enough. LOL

[Joby]

FB,
Thanks for posting and don't worry about the order of the pics. It's easy to figure out. We have used pine bark mulch (PBM) around here for a looooong time with no difficulties. My sponsor has used it for over 12 years and hasn't had one issue. Now regular hardwood mulch would pose a problem due to it's propensity to mold. But, a lot of guys in the south use pine bark, pine needls, and cypress mulch. I find it very easy to work with and you can see from the pictures that I have a concrete sidewalk running right down the center of my weathering area. I was fretting for the longest time about what to do. But I found that the PBM compresses down really well and that after just walking over the initial 6" application, that it just covered over the concrete quite nicely. I've got to build another WA somewhere in the back yard for my HH that I'll be getting sometime in September.
-Joe

[Joby]

Chuck,
Believe me, it'll seem like a looong wait, but you'll be plenty busy when it arrives, so enjoy some of the down time. ;D
-Joe

[nieko]

This may seem like a stupid question but here goes. Would that Weathering area work to molt out a rt?

[madadam]

ive never heard of this set up before

what advantage dose the zip line set up have compared to letting them fly free in a aviary or in a normal weathering?

and dose your hawk not try and sit on top of the rood above the second perch?

but it looks cool!!

Adam

[Austin]

If those are wood chips in the outer weathering area be careful they hold moisture for long periods of time that develop into mold on the bottom side.
That is a lesson I learned with racing homers that almost costs me my loft because of respiratory problems caused by the mold and dampness.
Being outside is not as risky as have them inside.
I love the large size thats great for the bird if you free loft.