I also considered using a pre-made shed, but once I started adding up the time and expense involved in retro-fitting it accroding to the type of design I wanted, I decided to build the mews from scratch (with the help of a good carpenter.) That way I got exactly the structure I wanted, instead of trying to modify a shed that wasn't designed for a raptor (or any other animla for that matter).
The design that Buteoflyer has suggested is similar to what I ended up building (with some exceptions). He also sounds like he's been in the sport for a while. I'd take him up on his offer for information if I were you. Even if you alter the design slightly, it's a big plus to talk to someone whose built a few mews before you start.
Just my two cents.
- Jon D.
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
For my barn idea yes there is hay but not that much and it would be inside and I didnt say it right im going to put it behind my barn its about 30 ft lond and no doors or window so its perfect my mew is going to be 8x8x8 and with a 24x8x8 weathering area so it will be nice and big.
Personally i think insulation is going a bit far. If the bird is trapped in your area, it is going to do fine in a mews with no insulation. If it can withstand the temps and weather in the wild it can handle them in a mews.
There are some precautions to be taken in extreme weather, but again, if the birds in the wild can flourish in it, your bird will be able to in a mews.
Heating is very much an issue to be considered. A Harris hawk is indiginous to warm climates, here in Canada, our winters can go to as low as -40C. Although this may not necessitate 6 inches of insulation in the walls, some provision must be made for at least a heated perch to prevent freezing the birds toes off.
Part of my (winter) mews (6' x 12' x 8') shares a space with my Harley, it is therefore insulated and heated, complete with fire and burglar alarm. For the summer, the bird spends its time in outdoor weathering mews (10' x 12' x 8').
That is why i said, if the bird can handle it in the wild it can handle it in the mews. Harris' do not LIVE in the wild in Canada.
I live in San Diego, and with our climate, most birds need no insulation. Also, if you are houseing a bird that you trapped in your area, it most likely isn't going to need any insulation, as all of its brothers and sisters are living fine in the wild in the same climate.
But insulation would make the mews inside climate more stable and therfore weight control would be more exact and you could be able to calculate the precise weight loss per hour if you want to. An RT it wouln't matter much as it takes forever and a day for these buggers to lose weight but for smaller birds and some of the larger accips and falcons with higher metabolizms it would be convinient. Its also nice to know exactlly when the bird is going to be at flight weight.
And with the strand board stuff, im not shure what it is but just as long as it dosn't splinter and it can hold to up to the elements plus a hawk it should be fine.
-missy
My soul is sick of chicken soup, it wants some chocolate!
Yes it can but it will need to be painted on both sides and the ends will need to be protected from water damabe as it can soak up water and split. The other question is , does the glue and resin in the osb give off any toxic fumes. At this point and time I don't know what kind of fumes are given off by the stuff and what effects this would have on the birds. Remember teflon frying pans are great but if over heated on the stove the fumes can kill smal birds in the house, I don't know what kind of fumes are given off by osb. So do some reseach before you use it. I might be a little pariniod but hey we are talking about our birds here. This said I have it on my mew but it is much more open that most and the weather is cooler here which slows down the deteriation of the glues. Paint both sides you will have far less hassels.
i started bulding my mews this weekend with the help of my sponsor, her husband, and 2 falconer friends. we got the bulk of the work done, and its looking really nice. i'll try to get some pictures posted. its 9 ft across, 8 ft deep, and 8 ft tall. its going to have an 8X5' workshop on the back for weighing, leather work, ect.
ok. I have a little play house that is no longer used. It offers great protection from the weather, stays at a desireable temperature, and has 2 windows. I will bar these. Anyway the house is 6.5 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 6.16 feet long. Is this a good mew for an american kestrel.
When the world is chaos, and all hell breaks loose, it's how you depict a painting, feel a song, and take to heart the words of a poem.
You mess with your bird, and it will mess with you.
Post by birdlover199 on Oct 9, 2005 12:56:21 GMT -5
I have been panicking about my mews and weathering area seeing i live in a hicktown some call it lol and im poor. aaand im only 13. the good part is that my moms boyfriend is really good at building and my brother is a carpenter or took carpentry in high school but it still comes to the fact that i need money. lol. That doesnt stop me from taking my falconry test in about 3 years and it certainly doesnt stop me from studying a whole bunch.