Sky lights?

[Pogo]

Do you guys feel that a skylight would be benifitail in the mews? And in the case that you do feel that it is a good idea do you feel that it would be neccessary to put dowls in front of it as you would a window? And also what do you guys think about using purified sand on the bottom of the mew. My sponsor suggested this I just wanted to pass it by you guys.

[Falcon Boy]

Dont use sand. Sand can get under the anklets and abrade the scales. I dont see a problem with skylights as long as you have the dowels.

[Tiercel78]

FB is right sand will cause problems. I'm use pea gravel with a outdoor carpet over to keep talons sharp.

[Pogo]

Sorry I didn't clearify. I ment small gravel. And I have also heard of people using shredded tires. What do you guys think about that? Would that maybe something I should consider? These tires go through a purifying state before being shredded I am told but I don't know if that is fact or fable.

[Pogo]

Oh and what do you guys think about the skylights?

[Master Yarak]

A skylight would be fine. Shredded tires do not drain nor are they good for being raked and cleaned. I have seen them used for horses. What is wrong with pea gravel?
I would not ever give you or any falconer bad advice. I can only tell you what has worked not only for me but for many, many others. Daisy mat astro-turf and pea gravel. I am curious to know more about your sponsor. Maybe with all the new falconers we should start a thread about sponsors. Just to compare notes on what we do differently.
Yarak

[Pogo]

Very good idea. My sponsor also believes in gravel, he has a special brand that he uses because its purefied. I'll get the name of it and let you guys know. But he says its the best. I just want to hear your guys' opinions. And thanks for the input Yarak the sponsor thread would be a good idea.

[TheMeanPitBull]

my sponser has been a falconer for 16 years he is the director of the rehab center and is now a master falconer he said i could use sand or dirt which one of those should i use and i will have half of the roof of my mew covered with tin and the other half covered with mesh wire and 1/2 pvc vertically as windows

[harrishawk08]

not sand r dirt
sand for the reson FB just said
not dirt cuz it cant be washed and it messes the birds feathers up
seth

[Bob Dale]

I have a skylight in both of my chambers. I covered them up. The birds, especially newly free lofted birds, had a bad tendency to try to fly thru them. You could hear them crashing into them from inside the house!
I stood outside the mews and watched thru a side window to verify my fears. Sure enought, the bird was standing on the perch looking at through the skylight (which is opaque BTW) and flying toward the light.
I think the sky light is better for me than it is the birds. It helps me see since i don't have electricity ran to the building (that's next years project... tomany darned codes to follow for now).
I would not include skylights if i had to rebuild today. I think they look good and i like the lit up open look it gives the chamber. The bottom line is that it's bad for my bird.
Oh... pea gravel is my preferred floor. Make sure that if you use any wire mesh that it's outside of the mews.

[Pogo]

Thanks Bob. I decided not to go with the sky light. I think in the end it will be a better choice. I did how ever decide that I am going to put the twirly bird on the top of the mews. I came up with a sliding vent design so that I can let ventilation in without the bird coming in contact with the twirly thing. I put two medal slats that are designed for framing and I put ply wood in the center of the two. Tightend them and I have a sliding door on the celling with holes in it to change the amount of air I want in the mew. It looks pretty good too.

[morganf]

I kind of worry about skylights, that just seems to be asking for trouble in my opinion... draining issues and such... by the way, i've noticed the majority of us can't spell (i'm guilty too lol)

[blade305]

I was looking at adding a skylite to my mew, but after reading BobDale's experience I changed my mind. I recently seen fiberglass roofing material at my local LOWES store taht came in a varity of tinting from solid black to transparent. I was thinking of using this material for my roof, using a medium tint so light is still let into the mew. i was thinking my RT will not attempt to fly through this since it is not transparent. What do you think?

[raptrlvr]

I have the transparent fiberglass ones and the birds still try to go through them.