So I just decided to create a new thread altogether for the mews, since this one is clear and concise. So I shall Start With my plan, here is what it will look like
Not a bad 3D model if I do say so myself, sorry if it's kinda small, but you can still see the dimensions. Maybe I'll get to start on it this weekend, who knows?
**EDIT**
I have further modified my mews, upon a more indepth chat with T78. This is more what it will look like
(Oh and sky... noticed i changed the way the plywood lies )
Ehhh, on mine (built practically the same way) I put the plywood vertical. Then you can just cut a door out and bam. Besides that, you kinda have something to rest the plywood on as your putting it up. If you place it horizontal, you gotta help hold that top piece in place for a while.
Just my opinion, I'm sure someone well say something else.
Thanks, for the tip... lol, I should have added "please allow for product variation" because as I go, I'm sure I'll think of easier methods and change it up
If I may be allowed a recommendation from experience. If any way possible, put in a double door arrangement. You enter a closed cubicle, shut the door behind you, and open the hawk's chamber. If they are prone to charging the door, you're way less likely to lose your bird.
Not as easily built as a single chamber, but you don't have to worry about your bird developing the habit of rushing you or the door. They know there are two doors to get through before the fun begins. Worked for me anyway.
The weathering is actually attached to the mews in front of the door... That way I get a weathering and a double door entry... the weathering is not pictured though (but yes, the double door entry is actually a regulation here)
I'd make the window bigger if you can.. maybe 4x4. Then you can place the window perch about half way up the window. Which in turn gives the hawk the sense that it is up heigher and will ease the hawks want to find a higher perch ie the window seal on that small window.
I used to think i knew some things. But i'm not so sure anymore.
i can't afford the conduit... that would double the price of the conduit... 4 feet long and 2ft tall is good i think, at any rate, the bird will be tethered to a bow perch. This is just to get my mews up, i would like to add more windows on other walls and such, but that'll have to wait.... and my bird is going to be mainly in the weathering and stuff, so i'm not too worried
I purchased all the types of nails i need, the door knob, the poulty netting (that goes underneath the astroturf to protect from things digging under), the hinges and screws, the welded wire for the weathering, the lock hasp, and all the turf I'll need. We got all the smaller sized things today, because we just had my mom and stepdad's car.
Tomorrow I am going to pick up the larger things (like the wood, the door, the freezer, the conduit, and the gravel), in my dad's truck. We're gonna go after I get back from my sponsors house.
The only thing that sucks so far, is that the freezer I want at my Lowe's is no longer available so I have to drive out to west hills to pick one up which sucks, but oh well!
An update here, the wall framings are done, and the front wall is sheathed. we're working on the roof now, things are going awesome! after we finish this we'll be working on the weathering
**EDIT**
We're now done with the roof framing, friday we'll pretty much finish up the mews, and and get a good start on the weathering, who knows? we'll see!
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2006 19:32:55 GMT -5 by morganf
Finally.. the long awaited first pictures. sorry the pictures are so crappy. I couldn't find the camera, so I had to use my camera phone.
This is a view from the front. We've yet to cut out the door!
This is a side view with me standing on top the hill to get the pic... and no the bird isn't going to be sitting on the patio, were going to be puting in about 5 inches of pea gravel in, with astroturf on top of that!
This is a view of the front wall from the inside. You can now see where the door will be cut out... Oh and that ladder is 6ft tall ;D
This is an inside-side view of where the window will be. The window will be 4'x4' and have vertical ½" rigid conduit spaced 1½" apart. The water puddle you see is from the a/c vent and will be taken care of ASAP
Well what do you guys think? I like it a lot, its coming out really good! ;D
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2006 21:18:34 GMT -5 by morganf
Are you going to have the window facing your house like that? I would think have it face somewhere where there is more things interesting for it to look out at... Im not positive because i still have a lot to learn, but that was my interpretation of books i have been reading so far
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. -Ralph Waldo Emerson