Mews and Weathering Area

[jmsst2]

Hello,

I am in the process of learning as much as I can about falconry, and am not yet in the process of gathering materials/equipment, so don't worry. I am just very curious about the mews and weathering areas for different hawks/falcons.

I was just curious as to how you guys built your mews, the size of them and anything else that may be of use. I am mostly interested in mews for Red-Tailed Hawks and Kestrels. I know Kestrels are more vulnerable to the environment, so I was curious as to what their mews are like.

Also, I read briefly, that Kestrels are kept indoors a lot of the time. When I read something like this, does it mean in a mew, inside of a house? (totally protected from weather) or does it mean a mew built outside, but protected from the weather (sort of like a large shed, with windows).

Also, regarding the "Weathering Area", I am curious as to what exactly this means. Is it sort of like an outdoor mew (a mew with fine mesh for walls, so the raptor is exposed to the elements)?

Okay two things for you all to know. First, I haven't been reading a whole lot about equipment, I'm reading mostly about the sport and biology of the hawks/falcons so forgive me if these questions seem "dumb" or nonsensical. (I majored in biology in college, but not specialized in Ornithology by any means - Still learning)

Second, don't worry, I'm not going to go out and start building all kinds of crazy structures or anything like that, I'm merely curious.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Oops, sorry this question belongs in the RaptorFacility section. Sorry.

[Taliesin]

I was wondering exactly the same thing so dont worry isnt a dumb question the only dumb question is one unasked. So we will just wait and see

[miket307]

jmsst2 said:

I was just curious as to how you guys built your mews, the size of them and anything else that may be of use. I am mostly interested in mews for Red-Tailed Hawks and Kestrels. I know Kestrels are more vulnerable to the environment, so I was curious as to what their mews are like.

Also, I read briefly, that Kestrels are kept indoors a lot of the time. When I read something like this, does it mean in a mew, inside of a house? (totally protected from weather) or does it mean a mew built outside, but protected from the weather (sort of like a large shed, with windows).

Also, regarding the "Weathering Area", I am curious as to what exactly this means. Is it sort of like an outdoor mew (a mew with fine mesh for walls, so the raptor is exposed to the elements)?

Thanks a lot for your help!

For the mews of a redtail typically it is AT LEAST 8' x 8' x 8'. Now if you are planning to fly a Kestrel then you can go smaller of course but if you are investing the time and money into building a mews might as well make it big enough for any raptors you plan to fly in the future. So I would say stick to at least the 8 foot box. View the facilities thread to read more about what people suggest and have built. apfalconry.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=facilities

Keeping the Kestrel inside is just that. Having a perch right next to your recliner or in a corner somewhere with a protected area for the mutes (feces). If you have other pets indoors make sure to keep the safety of the bird in mind on the location for the perch. If you have a spare bedroom that works too.

The weathering area is usually an area where the hawk is leashed outside but protected from predators. Most people do no free loft their hawks in the weathering area due to the size and money the fenced area need to be for free flight. Those blessed with money and space, do have free flight weathering areas though. It has become sort of popular to leave part of the mews open to the elements like a weathering area and mews combined. Raptors like the sun, especially when it's cold out. Plus the sun keeps the moisture down making the facilities more protected from bacteria and mold which can cause respiratory problems to raptors.

Pick up the California Hawking Club's Apprentice Study Guide for more information as well as a good study guide for the federal / state exam.

[morganf]

Both my mews and weathering are 8ft cubes. They are sandwhiched together to make an 8ft wide, 8ft tall, and 16 ft long structure. The weathering takes care of the double door issue for the mews (so the bird can't escape). I have a 4'x4' window in one wall, with vertical bars (1/2" rigid conduit) spaced 2" on center (1.5" gaps between each bar). I have astroturf flooring in both mews and weathering, and I have a bar perch over the window (just a dowel covered in long leaf astroturf), and a shelf perch in the corner.

If you have any questions, check out the facilities thread and check out some of the pictures of mine, if you still have questions about my mews, go ahead and PM me and I'll do my best to answer them.

[Taliesin]

Now say i have my mew would i need to chain the raptor up or add some perches in there and what have you and let it fly free inside the building Question number 2 with my mew would i need another building or is that fine? Question number 3 would i need to insulate the mew or is plywood fine for walls and insulation? I think thats about it for now. Thoughts and comments and if keeping my raptor outside 24/7 is a bad idea let me know.

Because i read in one of the handouts i got that there is a weathering pen which i assume doesnt have really anything to keep the cold out and then the mew which is where i keep the raptor. Would you reccomend both or just one or put them both together IE have a door off of the mew into the weathering area.


Taliesin

[morganf]

It is not necessary to tether the bird in the mews, but my sponsor suggests it, he only freelofts his birds during the molt.

My suggestion would be for separate "rooms", but some people are fond of the Mew/Weathing Hybrids where one wall is completely open (with vertical bars or some form of mesh).

Insulation is not necessary really, unless you don't have a native bird. A lot of people would suggest not using insulation because particles in the air from the fiberglass could cause problems. I used Oriented Strand Board rather than plywood, and it worked just fine.


I personally would not recommend freelofting in between the mews and weathering, unless your weathering was a lot bigger than mine, and it had like aviary netting rather than a wire mesh (like mine). In weatherings with wire mesh, if a bird is not tethered, it may injure itself on the meshing


I hope I answered your question, keep studying and keep up the good work! Try www.themodernapprentice.com it's a great site for learning, and it has a few mews designs!

[Taliesin]

Thanks im just trying to learn all this stuff before i jump in ^^ cant kill a kid for learning