Post by jondarp on Mar 24, 2006 14:33:41 GMT -5
I certainly defer to the more experienced falconers on this forum, but I'll also share my two cents worth regarding freelofting vs. tethering. I freeloft my bird, as does my sponsor and most of the other falconers in my state.
There was one falconer in this state who tethered his bird. His bird bated so much while tethered that it injured one of his legs (which subsequently became infected) and was out of commission for some time. It should be noted however, that this falconer traveled a lot and was, therefore, not able to check his bird every day – something that is very critical if you are tethering (or freelofting for that matter). Also, there's no excuse for not properly manning your bird - regardless of whether you freeloft or tether.
On the subject of door rushing, so far I haven't had that problem. I also don't feed the bird in the mews. Now that I've put her up for the moult, I walk into the mews empty-handed, place a piece of astroturf on the floor of the mews so that it is directly under the bottom of the food chute. This is because my bird has a tendency to mute a lot on the wall by the food chute.
By placing the astrotuf down first, I am accomplishng two things. First she gets used to me walking into the mews empty- handed and, therefore, doesn't anticipate getting fed when I enter.
Second, it allows the food to drop onto a clean surface rather than in any mutes that may have collected on that part of the mews floor. I come back out to te mews with her food, keeping it hidden from her sight, and slide it down the food chute. Once she is done eating, I go back into the mews and remove the astroturf.
Also, on the subject of freelofting, I have never had to chase my bird around the mews to leash her up. If I had to do that, my sponsor would be all over me for not having manned the bird well enough. She always tolerates me leashing her up with no trouble. I have changed anklets, jesses, bells, etc in the mews, all without a problem.
Granted it will no doubt be a different story during the moult, but I don't plan on needing to leash her up that often while she is moulting. As we get closer to the next hunting season, then I plan on having to do a little re-manning.
Take this for what it is worth. I am certainly no expert - only a first-year apprentice, but I wanted to share my experiences thus far.
- Jon D.
There was one falconer in this state who tethered his bird. His bird bated so much while tethered that it injured one of his legs (which subsequently became infected) and was out of commission for some time. It should be noted however, that this falconer traveled a lot and was, therefore, not able to check his bird every day – something that is very critical if you are tethering (or freelofting for that matter). Also, there's no excuse for not properly manning your bird - regardless of whether you freeloft or tether.
On the subject of door rushing, so far I haven't had that problem. I also don't feed the bird in the mews. Now that I've put her up for the moult, I walk into the mews empty-handed, place a piece of astroturf on the floor of the mews so that it is directly under the bottom of the food chute. This is because my bird has a tendency to mute a lot on the wall by the food chute.
By placing the astrotuf down first, I am accomplishng two things. First she gets used to me walking into the mews empty- handed and, therefore, doesn't anticipate getting fed when I enter.
Second, it allows the food to drop onto a clean surface rather than in any mutes that may have collected on that part of the mews floor. I come back out to te mews with her food, keeping it hidden from her sight, and slide it down the food chute. Once she is done eating, I go back into the mews and remove the astroturf.
Also, on the subject of freelofting, I have never had to chase my bird around the mews to leash her up. If I had to do that, my sponsor would be all over me for not having manned the bird well enough. She always tolerates me leashing her up with no trouble. I have changed anklets, jesses, bells, etc in the mews, all without a problem.
Granted it will no doubt be a different story during the moult, but I don't plan on needing to leash her up that often while she is moulting. As we get closer to the next hunting season, then I plan on having to do a little re-manning.
Take this for what it is worth. I am certainly no expert - only a first-year apprentice, but I wanted to share my experiences thus far.
- Jon D.