So here it is guys...I have a 10x10x7 weathering area, fully covered on the top by awning that reduces the summer heat by 15 degrees. My bird is tethered everyday to the same perch and I am going to moult her out and try her again next season. How (if it is even possible) can I convert my weathering yard, which is chain link dog run, into a type of mews so that I can free loft her without any worry? My sponsor and I both agree that free-lofting in chain link is a very bad idea....he said as long as it is covered and has barred windows she will be fine.
I've thought maybe get some plywood, cut them into the dimensions of the chainlink and place them inside...then cut windows out of that and cover with bars....but that might look a bit trashy but then again who cares about looks? I dont want this bird to just sit on the same perch all summer long and I dont want to release seeing as she is an excellent hunter and I just got her in Jan. Any help would be greatly appreciated...any ideas...anything...maybe even coroplast placed inside, that way it still helps reduce the temp....I dont know...just trying to think of ways...
How (if it is even possible) can I convert my weathering yard, which is chain link dog run, into a type of mews so that I can free loft her without any worry?
Is it possible to add a garden shed onto the weathering yard? I'm betting it might cost as much to convert your w/y material-wise as it would to build a shed. It's nice to have the option to do both i.e. free-loft in a mews for the molt (or rehab), and tether in the w/y during hunting season. Just my thinking.
Meagan, If you're going to go to that extent, you might as well just go ahead and build an 8x8 shed. Framing is pretty easy and you could build it in such a way as to make it portable. -Joby
That was what I was thinking after I made the post....I am looking online for some shed ideas....I am no builder...I mean my GH was cut all wrong and everything and I had to have my boyfriend cut it right, I might be looking into buying a shed that I just have to assemble...lol...thanks guys for the comments and help.
So here's the thing...my mom is offering to buy me a shed for Autumn...so I've been searching around and the store near my house offers a good package with everything included...all I have to do is set it up...so here is the site for any who are interested...I am getting the 8x8....
You can actually buy precut sheds and just assemble them yourself, or you can usually find shed designs online. Pretty easy to do actually. I'll be building one this summer myself. -Joby
so I've been searching around and the store near my house offers a good package with everything included...all I have to do is set it up
An important note: If you're in a high wind area, ask what the wind rating is, and how the shed is anchored into the ground. My steel carport eagle mews needed mobile home anchors screwed 3 ft into the ground so it wouldn't shift or topple over in gale force or F1 tornadic winds (well, hopefully).
I wish that I had the same material that you used on your weathering yard but mine is chain-link fencing and this that will not work. I am now regretting my options with all of this. My boyfriend does not think my bird needs to be free-lofted though Kurt always did such things with her before I got her. I am moulting her out for the summer and I dont want to keep her tethered to the same perch...but my boyfriend does not want me to have a shed (its his house )
So I have come up with a new option and he's ok with the idea. I am going to make the area 8x8 within the actual fencing. I am lying down four 4x6 (in inches) that are 8 feet long apiece. Then I am taking lumber that is a little thicker than fencing slates and nailing them upright, making a make shift door and then all of this will be inside of my fencing so that it acts as a double-entry way system. It seems like a logical idea, and preety good cost as well.
I am really bummed out that he wants nothing to do with the idea of a shed when only months ago he said it would be fine. I want to moult this bird out, she's a great hunting bird and is going to be killer next season and he cant seem to understand that. I told him that to tether her all summer is not a good idea seeing as when she bates she usual ends up getting her leash tangled, though her swivel works just fine. Though she will be fat this summer I want to allow her room to move about. *sigh*...men....I swear....any ideas on what I am planning?"
Ok and after doing some research I found this very interesing site...might be taking this into consideration seeing as the general layout of the pallets is what I am aiming for....just attach those to the chainlink so that she is unable to touch the chain link, they are vertical barring anyways and then there you go...its got some good ideas for building things with wooden pallets...and the good thing is you can get them almost anyplace for free!!!
the problem with pallets is they are made of a cheaper, rough, cut wood that splinters very easily. You'd be hard pressed to find pallets made of a wood that's actually safe for the hawk. Go into you're local home depot and check out the 1x4's they sell inside, and then walk around the back of the store and check out the pallets they have stacked back there and you'll see what I mean.
Post by Master Yarak on Feb 13, 2009 7:51:37 GMT -5
BAH! He needs some help pulling his head out! I see red flags already. If the bird is or has gotten tangled that is a warning. Its not a question of "if" but "when". How will you deal with the worse case scenario? A dead hawk, strangled by a twisted leash. Leave it to me to be all about doom and gloom. I have seen it happen. It does happen and you sure as heck won't be the first. If you take the approach that "Oh that won't happen to me" you're cracked. So many reasons for freelofting. Perhaps you can build one in another location. Perhaps you can give this guy an ultimatum. Perhaps you might see a little deeper into his character and see how he supports something that so important to you. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
Meagan, it's kinda hard for me to visualize a conversion without seeing some pics of what you have now.
I agree with Border... the pallet wood has the potential for trouble. My son tosses pallets at his job, and he frequently gets stabbed by splinters - right through his gloves.
Regarding leash twisting, do you use a leash extender between the swivel and leash? Just curious.
Hey guys, thanks for the posts! Yarak, I have been going around and around with my boyfriend and he knows how much this means to me. He is sloooowwwwllllyyy starting to see the methods behind my way of thinking.
Migisi, the pallets I have are from treated lumber. I am painting them in an outdoor (pet friiendly) waterproof paint just in case they want to splinter. But the wood I have is great. And about the leash extender, I dont use them currently but I saw them online...are they as good as I have heard? I might try them out with this bird if that is the case...just dont know too much about them.
... He is sloooowwwwllllyyy starting to see the methods behind my way of thinking.
Bat those eyelashes, girl. And add a few of these Tee hee.
And about the leash extender, I dont use them currently but I saw them online...are they as good as I have heard? I might try them out with this bird if that is the case...just dont know too much about them.
I've seen swivels swing over the joined jesses several times (usually when regaining a perch), stop the swivel from turning, and make a horrible tangled ball of leash and jesses.
I use leash extenders on all my birds (from Ks to eagles) to keep the swivel several inches away from where the jesses join together so it won't swing through. In addition, it keeps the swivel below the tail, which means it doesn't go through the tail all the time and wear feathers. Drawbacks... it can be a pain to take off if the bird's a bater - the jesses and extender leather cinch tight. So, I make my extender from a different type of leather (latigo) and keep everything oiled to make it easier to pull apart. And... nothing's perfect. Ya still gotta check equipment like always.