Max and Min recomended temps.

[archangel]

I have been looking for quite awhile for a concrete answer to this question.

What is the Max and Min temp in the mews that is considered comfortable for a RT or Kestrel?

An obvious concern is the water freezing, can a heated dish be safely used?

My future sponsor will probably have a good answer, but to quiet all the questions floating around in my head keeping me up at night, I had to ask. I'm working on the idea of building my mews in the garage and want to test the temp this summer to see what provisions I might have to make. The garage is detached and I've never knowticed it to be unconfortable to me, but I don't live in there either. We see 100+ days in the summer and I have no idea with an open window or two how hot it could get so I'll keep an eye on the temp this year.

Also, my watering system for the lawn could possibly blow mist into the window should there be just the right breeze. It would only be for 15 min. Is this a valid concern that needs to be fixed? I installed the system and can change it, but is it neccessary?

Thank you.

[Migisi]

Apr 16, 2008 0:15:35 GMT -5 archangel said:

What is the Max and Min temp in the mews that is considered comfortable for a RT or Kestrel?

RTs and Ks live in Nebraska all year. General rule: Keep em sheltered from the wind in winter, and from the direct hot sun in summer.

An obvious concern is the water freezing, can a heated dish be safely used?

I'd worry about electric wire, unless it's completely hidden. You can offer a fresh small pan daily, and then dump it after a couple of hours.

I'm working on the idea of building my mews in the garage .... w see 100+ days in the summer...

When I used my attached garage for rehab, I installed a used window air conditioner for the 100+ days (air didn't blow directly on the birds). I set it to 80, which was comfortable, but my electric bill was horrendous cuz it ran constantly. On nicer days, the windows and circulating roof vent provided good cross ventilation. If the wind wasn't blowing, I used fans to move air. If I'd had a choice back then, I'd have built additional outdoor facilities and not used the garage. I've since moved and done that.

Also, my watering system for the lawn could possibly blow mist into the window should there be just the right breeze. It would only be for 15 min...

I'd change that. Wet + heat can cause health issues.

Answer to all your questions: consult your sponsor.

[Wolf]

I agree with Migisi on everything she said.

My way we have a two part system. Mew and a "weathering area." The mew in my case is used as a safe/dark place to keep the bird.

Sounds like you have a lawn so I suggest possibly making an enclosed Weathering area if you can to put your bird during the day. This allows a lot of mental stimulus and allows the bird to enjoy the outdoors. As long as they do not sit in direct sunlight during hot parts of the day they should be fine.

Direct sunlight on 95+ days could kill a bird outright. Shade is imperative so keep that in mind. Otherwise think like a bird.

[archangel]

Thank you very much for your replies.

I finally got my "American Kestres in Modern Falconry" book yesterday and read it all in one sitting. I do that with most falconry books I read. (firemen have plenty of time to read) It was quite informative and answered some of my questions. I am really drawn to the American Kestrel despite its fragile feeding and weight considerations. Out on our farm we see them frequently.

If it is a Kestrel for me then I will probably keep it in the house. This book recomended to keep the Kestrel in a temp controlled room inside the house to help maintain the bird's fragile weight. Unless directed otherwise I think my raptor would spend most of its time weathering outside or tied to the perch inside on a table by our breakfast nook. We never use it and the book recomended to keep the Kestrel where it could see me often and experience the rest of the family. There is a window in the nook that would also give it a view ot the outside world. I'd only use the mews when needed for inspection and training. I may even make the walls moveable so when not needed I could fold it up flat against the back of the garage.

See anything that I have missed?

Anyone with Kestrel experience tried keeping it in the house and not inside a mews?

[forestfalcon]

Apr 17, 2008 21:40:48 GMT -5 archangel said:

Thank you very much for your replies.

I finally got my "American Kestres in Modern Falconry" book yesterday and read it all in one sitting. I do that with most falconry books I read. (firemen have plenty of time to read) It was quite informative and answered some of my questions. I am really drawn to the American Kestrel despite its fragile feeding and weight considerations. Out on our farm we see them frequently.

If it is a Kestrel for me then I will probably keep it in the house. This book recomended to keep the Kestrel in a temp controlled room inside the house to help maintain the bird's fragile weight. Unless directed otherwise I think my raptor would spend most of its time weathering outside or tied to the perch inside on a table by our breakfast nook. We never use it and the book recomended to keep the Kestrel where it could see me often and experience the rest of the family. There is a window in the nook that would also give it a view ot the outside world. I'd only use the mews when needed for inspection and training. I may even make the walls moveable so when not needed I could fold it up flat against the back of the garage.

See anything that I have missed?

Anyone with Kestrel experience tried keeping it in the house and not inside a mews?

You'll find that you'll need to keep a kes at hunting weight indoors. They metabolize at such a high rate anyway, that it is too difficult to monitor weight with the fluctuating temps during the winter.

[Migisi]

Apr 17, 2008 21:40:48 GMT -5 archangel said:

Unless directed otherwise I think my raptor would spend most of its time weathering outside or tied to the perch inside on a table by our breakfast nook.

If kept in the kitchen, just be mindful of fumes (if you have a gas range) and excessive smoke when cooking. Outside as much as possible ... but bring the bird inside before you or your neighbors use lawn care chemicals, and during mosquito abatement. (You can call the city/township to get their spraying schedule.)

book recomended to keep the Kestrel where it could see me often and experience the rest of the family.

I often kept my Ks on a screen perch in the living/dining room in winter -- which was my Kestrel's 'off season'. I flew Ks in late spring, summer, early fall. Flew my RT from late fall thru' winter. I placed the K's screen perch near a window - half in sun and half in shade just so the bird had a choice. Daily, I'd re-perch her on a table top perch so she could have access to her bath pan.

I may even make the walls moveable so when not needed I could fold it up flat against the back of the garage.

Here's what I did which passed inspection with flying colors. I built a 4x4ft (5ft high) wooden box/cage. Two sides had half windows which were vertically barred with conduit. It had a weather-resistant plywood floor and roof. I drilled drain holes (for cleaning/hosing out) in the floor and carpeted it wall to wall with grass carpet. I put the whole box on big caster wheels. On nice days, I pushed it outside onto the drive. (LOCK on the door!) On very bad days, it stayed in the garage. I could push it around anywhere in the garage for better lighting or ventilation. I could free-fly my K in it (using a couple of stretched bungie cords for perches), or I could put my floor perch inside and tie her off. (Note: before I opened the door, I pushed it back inside the garage and closed that door -- to prevent accidental escape.) When I moved, it came with me on a trailer. Once here, I removed the casters and floor, shingled the roof, hung a matt over the inside of the door (to prevent escape), and set it on gravel as a permanent outdoor facility. Bada bing!

Anyone with Kestrel experience tried keeping it in the house and not inside a mews?

I did and do both. However, I prefer to keep birds outdoors (with proper shelter) as much as possible. My main concern with keeping birds indoors, and then going out into the cold to fly, is the sudden temperature change on them. Imagine going from 70 degrees house temp to 30 degrees outdoors. It's a dramatic and quick chill on a rather fragile bird. I'm concerned about that with any bird, RTs and HHs too.

When I flew a K in winter, I weighed her twice daily (morning and afternoon), and fed accordingly as needed to keep her at a healthy flying weight. If I trained and kept her indoors, her response weight might be great at X ounces, but too low a weight for colder outdoor conditions. That was my experience anyway.

Whatever works to keep a bird happy and healthy, I'm for it.

[archangel]

Thank you again. The more I learn about Kestrels the more I think I want to start with a RT.

Our inspection in Nebraska requires the mews to be at least 250 cubic feet. So 6X6X7 high would be 252 cubic feet. My garage will allow 8X8X8 high and that seems like a good place. If I have to get a window mount AC unit I will or just bring the bird inside the house or put it out to weather with good shade on the north side of my house. I have a good outside place to weather. On the Northeast side of my garage I have a large covered dog kennel with a concrete floor. During the hottest parts of the day it is under full shade of the garage. The dogs love it and it is kind of hidden from sight. Would work with a RT but fencing is too large for Kestrel.

I'd like to use pea gravel for the substrate if I build a grage mews, but on concrete that might not be so good. I am capable of installing a drain, but would rather not. My idea was to use the pea gavel and every day or so scoop up the mess into a bucket and pour it in a sifting box and then rig up the daily lawn sprinkler system to clean it for me. Might have to experiment with that a bit. I love to tinker around:) Then every so often I could do a super cleaning while the bird is out.

[MarkT]

I don't use pea gravel anymore because it tends to dull talons but when I did I had bought an old concrete mixer at a yard sale. Then everyday I would scoop out the dirty gravel and put it in the mixer. When the mixer was about half full I would add water, turn it on and let it run for a while. With a couple cycles of rolling the gravel around and rinsing it came out clean and was very little trouble to maintain.