Post by grendlesgirl on Oct 18, 2004 11:08:50 GMT -5
Back to the original question of the bird who was taking it off. Bob, have you tried soem more of that positive reinforcement? Like giving the bird some good bits anfter it had the hood on for longer and longer periods of time?
Also, I guess what the first question should be, is this a tested hood? Could there be something that bothers about the hood? I thought that for some birds that if the hood keeps out the light the instinct for the bird is to remain still. Perhaps it can see some light to feel safe enough about reaching back and grabbing it?
How about a hood with an elizabethan collar in the back, like dogs have? Or maybe on the talons, put a clapper in there it could be bells . . .
I hate how I dilute my good points with really bad ones, but can't stop myself. . .
Also for ANglo-indian, it is better for the leather to be soft or hard? I will be making a soft one (my first) but the one that I have that doesn't really work is hard, it makes me wonder if the harnes of the inside is irritating in some way.
It's not a good idea to feed with the hood on because the bird gets used to food coming with the hood on so it will reach out and bite for food that isn't always there.
Post by Master Yarak on Oct 18, 2004 11:47:15 GMT -5
Grendlesgirl, Have you EVER seen a hawk with an elisabethen collar? Even if the bird sees no light it feels something on its head. If it can reach it it trys to scratch it off. What would you put on the talons? The hood should not touch the lips or the eyes. If their is moisture on the inside it does not fit properly. What is a tested hood? Just wearing a hood can bother the bird initially it often takes sometime to get used to it. 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
You were better off with the information you posted first.
Reward the bird for wearing the hood for longer and longer periods of time. Make it so that the bird doesn't get a chance to take it off as that will start things over. Take it off before the bird gets amped enough to rip the hood off. Then reward the bird for letting the hood stay on that long. THAT is the right direction to go in and short of wrestling the hood on every time, it is the tried and tested way of hood training a hawk.
They have to be taught that the hood is nothing to fear. If you teach them wrong, they will fear and dislike it, and have to be re-taught that the hood is not a bad thing, which takes longer.
Speak to your sponsor on the other things. As far as hard soft leather and such.
As for a tried hood, it shouldn't need to be tested on another bird. If you buy a hood from someone it is expected to work. Hood makers who make poor or faulty hoods dont stay in the business long.
If the hood fits and it will give you the oppertunity to have more than one size with you when you are trapping thou gh i think one of those trapping hoods would be better. Some one here has one I believe. Who was it and how did it work. Chris
Dragon Trapper hoods work VERY well. They have enough room to fit an RT just right as they have braces on the front and back. I have tried an arab hood that was supposedly sized for a female RT and it was a horrible fit. The overall size was OK but the area with the eye panels touched the eyes. Best bet is to buy a cheap utility hood in a dutch or Anglo style to be safe. IMHO
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Actually, I got an arab hood from Mike's and it worked perfectly for my RTH. Strange but true. I think the cheaper hoods are a catch-as-catch-can purchase. I just got lucky. I really don't like the way Arab hoods are braced. Other hoods tighten more reliably. Expensive isn't always better. You may luck out and get one that works. Then again, you may toss 20 bucks in the dumper! Good luck!
[glow=purple,2,900]My understanding is they are part of the training. For calming the bird. Correct me if I am wrong.[/glow]
Never settle.
"There's nothing like the feeling of knowing that you've made a difference in someone's life, even if that difference is a lifetime of nightmares and a fortune in therapy bills." - Marilyn Manson
I'd still recommend using one. Everyday things like weighing, taking out or putting in the giant hood, feeling the keel, adding equipment, etc.... are about a thousand times easier with a fresh trapped hawk if it is hooded.