Weathering question

[owo9ja]

Hi folks from New York

 just passed inspection Wednesday. The weathering area I have is 8x12 or so.  I can't build a structure in the weathering area so I'd simply tether the bird there on a perch. The mews itself is 9x9x8. Question:  I have a portion of the yard that I'm considering building a structure to weather the bird in when I'm home. It's 6 1/2x10x10. I can push the height and length to 12 feet but I'm stuck with 78 inches on the width. Do I stick with weathering the bird in the larger area or would the relatively narrow portion suffice. 

I'd leave the bird in the mews all day and when I'm home id weather it in the open area, tethered with me watching. Or build somehting in th 6 and a half foot portion, which attaches to the mews so i can simply open the door and allow the bird to move from mews to weathering area.   Which is acacceptable 

im getting a rt

[chrismt89]

Im a little confused probably just me reading wrong. But from what I gather the 8x12 part cant be connected to your mews at all? Also Im not sure what you are thinking of building in the weathering yard as a structure? All that you should need in the weathering is a perch and weather permitting a bathpan. PM me if you want want I live in Auburn not sure where you are. Congrats on passing the inspection!

[owo9ja]

I realized my description wasn't as clear as it could be. Yes the 8x12 portion isn't attached to the mews. But because its an area in front of the garage thatl leads to the driveway I can't build a structure there. I can build on in the smaller section that's to the side of the garage and it would also attach to the mews. But it's just 6 and a half feet across. Wondering if the benefit of an enclosed weathering area outweighs the negative of having a weathering area a foot and a half smaller in width. Hope I'm a bit clearer

[slowrey]

If the weathering area you're considering building in 6.5' width is going to be for teathered weathering, it would come down to measuring the overall length of the setup. If the length of the leash from the furthest point on the perch, plus the length of the swivel, plus the length or the jesses, plus the length of the bird all totals to more than about 3'-3.25', I would be concerned about the birds eyes/beak/cere hitting the walls of the weathering area when she bates.

If I were in your same situation, I would prefer your idea of building the weathering area onto the mews and having it partitioned by the door. With that though, I would make the walls of the weathering area with vertical bars and not with chain link/fence material. That's assuming you're talking about making it a free loft setup. My past red tails couldn't be free lofted in chain link. They would grab onto the fence and prop on their tail feathers.

I hope this helps. It's only my own opinion. Ask your sponsor what he/she thinks you should do.

There is a video on YouTube of a falconer with a similar mews setup. I believe he made his walls out of 2x4 and PVC pipe filled with cement and rebar for reinforcement. The 2x4 was pretty much the framing to hold the bars in place every 2-3' in height. I will hunt for the video and attach the link when I find it.

[owo9ja]

Thanks i like the idea of bars instead of wire fencing. I originally planned chicken wire with 2x4 for the frames. It decided if I attached the weathering area to the mews I'd leave the door of the mews open to allow the back at forth. At least in the morning before I head to work. And in the evenings. If you find the video please post a link. I appreciate it.

[slowrey]

In my own opinion, chicken wire is too weak. They make heavier gauge wire fencing that costs about the same as chicken wire. I believe they carry it in 20'-40' rolls at most Home Depots and Lowes. Again though, go with what your sponsor recommends.

Here's the link. His is more of an actual mew, but I think that you could make a pretty nice weathering area with the PVC type walls.


m.youtube.com/watch?v=waLp-K5GbUw

[owo9ja]

Thanks a lot.