Question on Mews

[rshady]

Ok I am completely new and have gotten in touch with the state falconry association. But while I am waiting on their response back to me I have been reading and trying to learn as much as I can on my own. I welcome any advice I can get. OK with that said I have a silo on my property (one used for grain) that is welded and stronger than anything I could build. Has anyone seen or used one before and converted it into a mew? I would like to know if it is possible or even worth the time to convert. I will be having some falconers come over and look. (Well once I get to know them). Any and all ideas and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks, Ryan

[echotadog]

You just described my dream mews. I wanted to convert one of the old wire sided corn cribs into a mews. There was a video on YouTube of a guy who has one with a red tailed hawk in it.
If you are describing the galvanized sealed in kind, they would still work depending on your ability to cut enough windows into it for ventilation.
Especially depending on your location those things can get extremely hot inside .
The proportions of it may be a big issue. You don't really want one to tall to be able to retrieve your hawk in a rush or emergency .
General rule is to not have a perch available any higher than you can reach. And the circumference should be at least 8' for the wellfare of the hawk. Any pictures?

[rshady]

So here are a couple pictures of the silo as it sits. It is about 14 feet in diamiter and 9 foot 3 inches to the tin roof. Thoughts are appreciated. The picture I took of the inside is to big for this sorry. 

[echotadog]

Where are you located again ?
It would work on a few main conditions. if it harbors mold you will have issues with bird health & If you can't weld or cleanly cut LOTS of ventilation in it.
14 foot circumference would be great. Interior walls would need to be Smooth to avoid feather damage. Epoxy Garage floor paint would work great if you gave it a few months time to air out before housing a hawk in it.
I use it to cover the back BrickoBlock wall of my mews and mutes clean off with a hose.
If it were mine I'd put an old style wood attic vent over the top hatch/ hinged door near the roof for ventilation to reduce heat from the roof. Cut an 8'x8' full Barred window in the front facing south by south west and atleast 2 30 inch barred windows on each of the sides for good ventilation. Fill the floor with pea gravel for drainage and paint the exterior a light color to reflect heat. You will also want a double security entry Chamber to prevent escapes. You can plant some evergreen trees around the perimeter of the structure to reduce heavy winter winds as well. It will essentially come down to the opinion of your Sponsor and I wouldn't do anything until they can offer Help. From the pics and specs you've given though , I would be willing to try it for my own mews.
Keep us updated with how things progress for ya, good luck

[rshady]

ok I live in South west Oklahoma. I agree with the mold. Once I cut some windows and door into it I plan on High presure cleaning and scrubbing with Bleach before I even put wood into it. I think this is funny. You are almost telling me what I was thinking of doing with it anyway.  The circle hole faces south and I will have no problems with cutting and frameing doors and windows with it. I was thinking of putting a weathering area there and then attaching a small shed/storage to the north side for equipment and such. I love your idea of the floor glaze for the walls and I will probly use it on the concreat foor as well. Then put a layer of the peetgravel. I am no ware near ready for a bird any time soon. This is all thoughts and idea's I am gathering. I do plan on haveing a couple of the local falconers come in and pick thier brain as well.  Any other thoughts or sugestions from the group?? Thanks echotadog for your idea's.  If you lived close my neighbor is pulling one down (he is a parakeet breader.) I would almost bet he would part with it. 

[echotadog]

Sounds good. The work room idea would be great. It could easily be your security chamber for access to the mews chamber. I have a 12x11 room I built in my garage out of old oak and ash barn wood off our family farm. My mews is attached to the basement wall outdoors and I built a sliding window from the work room to the mews for easy access to getting my hawk weighed before hunts.
Being in SW OK you will have Heat and wind issues plaguing you, so the south by southwest wall for your open bars would be a good thing to stifle northern winds and storms.
I would still make the front as big as possible or affordable. Your hawk will be thankful for the reprieve of open air during the molt.
Good ideas so far , I look forward to seeing your progress.

FYI if you build the front window big enough you won't need a weathering yard. Look into " Hybrid Mews" designs to see what I am talking about.
The main body being 14' circumference , there will be plenty of back wall space for protection from the elements while still allowing ample UV in.