Hi, I'm new to Falconry and I read that you have to plan tons upon tons more before actually doing. So I was looking up some mews designs and created my own. I thought It'd be a good idea to post it up here and get everyone's opinion on it before I began building it.
I know that I need to worry about learning more about Falconry before beginning building or diving in head first hoping I can swim. However I figure getting some ideas on this first won't hurt much.
( I suggest looking at this in the bigger view to be able to read the captions. Oh yes, I plan on beginning with a RT if I get the chance so I designed these mews with that in mind.) This is my basic idea. Please let me know if you spot any "killer" flaws in the layout. Thanks!! ;D
Oh Also, the black line going across the bottom of the weathering area is representing either extra "fencing" or a board to help keep out unwanted creatures.
Well I'm planning on that "Enclosed" Nighting perch, to have 3 sides. One of which shielding the table and chair. My bird won't be free lofting until she is well manned (At Least) Then she'll just be free lofting in the weathering area not in the mews. I plan on having large furniture stored in that "storage closet" and the scales and immediately needed equipment within the mew's its self. Like fitting hoods, jesses and leashes. So not really worried about mutes on the desk.
You DO NOT want to free loft in the weathering area. Talk to your sponsor about your facility ideas and go with what they say. They should be involved in the planning.
Life is hard, it's harder when your stupid. - John Wayne
I mean no disrespect in saying this however, I understand that Free lofting can often cause a wild'ning of the raptor and could cause a serious mishap. But after a good long time (and not free lofting until I'm dang sure the bird isn't going to try and kill me the first chance it gets. Plus Switching from tethering to free lofting and back again at my will.) I don't see why it would be a very big problem. I would be very very grateful if you would explain your views on free lofting robruger1.
But then again I still have yet to acquire a sponsor, but am not planning on beginning without one. I simply wanted to throw around a few Designs that would be practical for me to build and easy on my budget.
Post by dirthawker on Nov 10, 2008 19:54:35 GMT -5
you dont want to free loft in the weathering area but in the mew is different. in the weathering area the bird will bate into everything and tear its self up
also no it isnt a good plan for a mew. you dont need a night perch dont know what that is. you dont want the desk and chair in there. and you want at least 2 barred windows, a shelf perch, and a pole perch at the bare minimum in the mew. the weathering is just a place that they can sit on a perch tethered and enjoy the weather
Last Edit: Nov 10, 2008 20:00:05 GMT -5 by dirthawker
Okay. I get that, but my curiosity is still raging. What would keep the bird from tearing it self up on the mews walls just like in the weathering area? I was looking at www.themodernapprentice.com/mews.htm while designing mine and was curious as free lofting in the mews AND weathering area. Since their is a photo of one that has nothing separating the two.
The night perch is a term I made up (at least so I think) for the spot I would tether the bird to at night.(During the day she shall be in the weathering area 80% of the time) Since there are too many things that might try to break into the weathering area at night around here. I plan on not free lofting at all if not in the weathering area. The desk and chair will be there to hold the scales and some of the equipment and since the bird will be tethered within the mews should not be a problem.
The layout for the mews includes two windows that shall be sliding windows, that do not "open" outwards. The third window will have a safety cage surrounding it, and barred windows that can open outwards to let in more air than the sliding windows.
I plan on having two perches inside the mew's its self one an extra and one for normal use. Then having a variety of perches within the weathering area to choose from to help keep healthy feet.
The reason is that inside the Mew the bird has "less" to see and it is darker then a weathering area. To free loft in there would provide less distractions.
A Weathering area that a bird free lofts in could be asking for trouble because its basically just a huge cage.
The bird will be trying to get out all day long.
However there are plenty of people that use that kind of design.
in my opinion its not a very good plan, here's why i think.
1. you dont need a table and chair in the mew(the bird will mess up his tail on the table part and is not good for his feet), thats what the hallway part is for (i just put my scale on the ground or i bring the bird outside and weigh him on the table on my back porch).
2. NO FREE LOFTING IN THE WEATHERING YARD! a weathering yard is a wire or a screen type of thing and one or two perches (if your using a zip line) the bird sits on (TETHERED), my mew passes as a mew AND weathering yard.
you do not need a "night perch" when a bird is tethered in a mew its on its perch on the ground tethered. if you let him go from perch to perch while tethered he will hang himself and most likely die.
the windows only need to be bars with netting if you want, not a "safe box". you do not need glass on the windows either (if you in a cold state then you may need that) but ive never heard of glass in a mew.
again the shelf perching is not a good idea because it will destroy the tail (and some say it can cause bumblefoot)
in my opinion the mew should be bigger than the weathering yard, seeing as the bird is only going to be tethered in it.
this mew will NEVER pass inspection where i come from. both from my sponsor and the inspector.
here's about what i think it should look like. and it still looks weird.
I disagree with all of you saying the bird will try to get out all day long, i know many people that free loft red tails to goshawks in chambers that are made out of a pannel thats something like a wire outside, and then theres 2-4 inches of space, then a aviary cloth or some other soft netting inner.
I think the key part is, make sure the netting is big enough the bird sees it. have a double door, and also, add a roof, and a partially enclosed upper with a high perch, this way if the bird wants to be a way it can.
I personally think that you should wait til you get a sponsor to design. Let them explain the whys and what-fors and remember you're asking for opinions and only one matters, your sponsors not ours. In my state it is illegal to freeloft in the weathering and I believe for good reason. I won't do it and when I get an apprentice they won't either. You need to spend your time educating yourself before you spend your time planning. I know its hard to focus on studying when there are more exiting things to think about but it's something you should do. Get some books and spend time reading the old threads on this forum regarding facilities and equipment. This site is a great wealth of knowledge. One other thing, get a sponsor asap they are your best resource.
Life is hard, it's harder when your stupid. - John Wayne
Post by Master Yarak on Nov 11, 2008 7:53:16 GMT -5
Probably one the most important aspects of husbandry is mews/weathering. Free-lofting is the way to go. For many years a seperate weathering area was not needed if the mew could do both. Some states it is still that way. I believe with proper perch and window arrangements the bird will be quite comfortable. It is a common mis-conception that bird reverts back to a more wild state when free lofted, at least with buteos. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
Probably one the most important aspects of husbandry is mews/weathering. Free-lofting is the way to go. For many years a seperate weathering area was not needed if the mew could do both. Some states it is still that way. I believe with proper perch and window arrangements the bird will be quite comfortable. It is a common mis-conception that bird reverts back to a more wild state when free lofted, at least with buteos. Yarak
i agree 100%
the only reason i dont have a W/Y is because im home all day and i take my bird out and sit with him outside for hours and hours.
Last Edit: Nov 11, 2008 10:00:18 GMT -5 by jake34705