I have two cloroplast giant hoods and a bigger one made out of plywood for the truck. The cloroplast are quicker (read easier) to handle and to clean. They are both the same size (14"wx24"hx21.5"; perch 8" from bottom). These dimensions are from the pattern at the American Falconry website. This pattern should be about an inch or so less wide (narrower) so that a sheet of standard newspaper would fit almost perfectly. On the ones that I and my apprentice made, they are just a tad wide for standard newsprint. The plywood hood is one that I built in my garage several years ago. I used 1/4" plywood for the sides, top and bottom and door, and 1x2" trim for the framework. The cost of the material for the cloroplast hoods was about $16 or less per sheet, I think. The material came from a company that supplies sign makers and is available in a variety of colors.
I just finished my coroplast giant hood and so far I'm pretty pleased with it, I can carry my 10 pounds cats in there without problems, it is very strong. I just have the perch and the vents to install. It cost me around 25$CAN, 15$ for the coroplast, 5$ for the glue and 5$ for teh metallic parts. i could have used velcro bands and not cut the door entirely but hey I'm a gril and I can't help it... lol
None of you mean harm by calling this thing a "giant hood" but please remember it is a hawk transport box...not a hood. Your sponsor gets the final word in these matters, but I would never own a bird that doesn't take the hood well.
If you're hooding a bird and you need something to transport it in, you are really looking for "mute control" more than a darkened box. I prefer to keep an eye on my birds in the rearview mirror when I'm on roadtrips so I don't use a box.
Having laid the cards on the table and shown my bias that I'm anti-box, I do have one box that I strongly endorse. Jim Heppensal (sp?) sells boxes under the name "Forest Hawk". These babies are the finest ever made but they aren't cheap. $200-$350 for the basic models and $600+ for eagle versions. The key competitive advantage they offer beyond quality and materials is that they have bars in the door and a lid that can darken the box entirely if you so wish. During normal transport of a hooded raptor you can leave the inspection slots opened for good airflow and to keep an eye in your bird while still controlling mutes.
I have one on my radar now and will purchase it the next time I have $600 floating around for the eagle size.
Regards,
Troy
Last Edit: Feb 12, 2007 19:31:23 GMT -5 by Rookhawk
Almost forgot one other suggestion for the pro-box crowd. PC computer fans are VERY cheap these days and run on low voltage. For health and welbeing of your birds, it is easy to install a few computer fans in the box at the bottom and wire them to a cigarette lighter adapter cord on the outside. Most SUVs have a power point in the back area so you can plug the box in and keep the bird cool and breathing fresh air...don't forget that subtle fumes in an enclosed space are harmless to us but affect birds before we can even smell them.
Just a clever idea that I've seen quite a bit lately.
None of you mean harm by calling this thing a "giant hood" but please remember it is a hawk transport box...not a hood. Your sponsor gets the final word in these matters, but I would never own a bird that doesn't take the hood well.
Hi,
Yes I know I will use this as a transport box to protect my car from the mutes, and I'll certainly hood train my bird but I need a box anyway so I built this one. I have no sponsor, laws are different in Canada, I would love to have one but the closest falconers are 700km away from me. I keep in touch with them as much as I can but basically I'm on my own.
Post by Falcon Boy on Feb 12, 2007 20:55:12 GMT -5
rookhawk said:
Having laid the cards on the table and shown my bias that I'm anti-box, I do have one box that I strongly endorse. Jim Heppensal (sp?) sells boxes under the name "Forest Hawk". These babies are the finest ever made but they aren't cheap. $200-$350 for the basic models and $600+ for eagle versions. The key competitive advantage they offer beyond quality and materials is that they have bars in the door and a lid that can darken the box entirely if you so wish. During normal transport of a hooded raptor you can leave the inspection slots opened for good airflow and to keep an eye in your bird while still controlling mutes.
My friend bought one of his redtail boxes before he jacked the price up and it is truly a great piece of work!
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
If you're hooding a bird and you need something to transport it in, you are really looking for "mute control" more than a darkened box. I prefer to keep an eye on my birds in the rearview mirror when I'm on roadtrips so I don't use a box.
Troy
Wow, I am glad to hear that. I got jumped on by another falconer for having my bird in the back seat of my truck on a perch and hooded. He told me that she will attack me some day, (his did, but that is another story) and she should be in a giant hood (transport box). Any ways, I use a giant hood on long trips or if I need the back seat, but usually I use the back seat, with her hooded.
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Having flown a few accipiters I'd classify myself as obsessive about feather condition. (albeit in my first season with the gos it was merely a distant goal!)
The most important thing is that whatever transport system you use, that it works for that specific bird and that it doesn't cause feather damage. When flying my gos I had best luck with a hooded gos on a portable bowperch but no two birds are the same. We must always being willing to adapt are equipment to what works best for our individual birds.