Post by falconshrugged on Jan 23, 2016 18:28:58 GMT -5
This space is about 20'L x 12'W. I am wondering if this is a suitable space to build a mews and weathering area for a passage RT. I know it is difficult to tell from just a picture, just looking for a few opinions. Thanks!!!
Post by runnergirl on Jan 24, 2016 14:24:55 GMT -5
Where are you located (what state) and what do your state regs require? Do you have a sponsor? Separate mews and weathering yard wouldn't fit, but if you were able to do a combination like a weathering yard with jump box, or a 3 sided mews with one full "open" side, then yes it would work. Do a search for mew designs. Some state regs may not allow a combination and your sponsor will have valuable opinions. Don't build before you have a sponsor and consult with her/him, but it is good to draw up a couple of different design options in advance.
Post by falconshrugged on Jan 25, 2016 11:22:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. I wouldn't build without a sponsor buying off on everything of course. I was just curious if I really have the room required. Texas regulations are pretty vague requiring size of enclosure and regarding the weathering yard the only requirement is that it be 32 sq ft. Thanks again for the comments!
I wanted my mews to have two chambers in addition to the scale room. I would have have to pull a building permit for poultry housing longer than 12 feet long. Not worth it.
Post by runnergirl on Feb 16, 2016 23:19:26 GMT -5
I can't think of any logical definition which would include raptors as poultry. The dictionary sure doesn't. Poultry is pretty specific - domestic fowl, typically those raised for meat and eggs. Falconry birds are decidedly not domestic and I'm not aware of them being considered food items anywhere in the U.S. Unless the ordinance has specifically designated their own definitions which defy logic (double check because municipalities can be....less than logical), that somehow manages to include raptors, raptors aren't poultry. Our city outlawed turtles, and because they used that exact word, folks can still have 100# sulcate tortoises. Those giants regularly escape and land at the city pound.
The other factor is, how anal (or friendly) are your neighbors? If you're technically legal and they're not jerks, I wouldn't sweat it. If they're jerks, I'd be doing everything in my power to move anyway, LOL.
Local ordinances can be wacky: A shed of a similar size would be unapproved, there is a provision for poultry housing up to a 12 foot by 10 foot without a permit. I keep chickens and will put the hawk in the house and a few chickens in the mews if anyone comes looking. Not like they will know the difference.
Likely your local ordinance is targeted at water turtles not land dwelling tortoises, but as a breeder of turtles I can tell you that the distinction you are relying on will not hold up if they cite you. The federal 4 inch regulation is specifically targeted at water turtles, but it applies to tortoises equally under the law. " In North America, all chelonians are commonly called turtles, including terrapins and tortoises. In Great Britain, the word turtle is used for sea-dwelling species, but not for tortoises. The term tortoise usually refers to any land-dwelling, non-swimming chelonian.". Therefore all turtles are not tortoises, but all tortoises are turtles.
"Likely your local ordinance is targeted at water turtles not land dwelling tortoises, but as a breeder of turtles I can tell you that the distinction you are relying on will not hold up if they cite you."
I don't personally have any chelonians, and am not relying upon this interpretation of the law at all. However, since the local animal control shelter routinely holds and releases to owners very large sulcatas which are held in city limits and found "running at large", I can assure you that is not the situation here. I used to have the pleasure of visiting the city shelter on behalf of our local humane society to perform veterinary exams so I'm a little more in the know than the average person.
I also distinctly remember a client with a pet prairie dog (not animals I recommend keeping as pets, fwiw) who was visited by animal control. Following about 30 minutes of in person harassment (for the animal being illegal - which it wasn't, and being threated with euthanasia) by AC, the officer says - I kid you not - "Oh, prairie dogs are rodents? Never mind, it's OK." and left. SMH!