Happy lights

[acraig]

Has anyone used full spectrum lighting with their kestrel? I live in the Pacific Northwest and midwinter anemia is a concern here. However I do not want to trigger a moult, so I am trying to find the right balance of a happy kbird and not triggering a moult.

[Falcon Boy]

For the record, I've never actually heard of a bird getting midwinter anemia. But I guess it's always a possibility.

I used lights to induce the moult with a male coopers. As long as your bird is hunted often, fed a good varied diet of whole food animals, and is perched somewhat near a window I don't think you'd have too much of a problem.

When I've kept birds indoors (i.e. numerous kestrels & male coopers hawk)I generally kept the lights on in the room according to what our 'normal' people schedule was, and then used full spectrum lights to increase the daylight a bit to induce the moult when the time came.

[acraig]

Ok thank you for the info

[oregonrt]

oregonfalconers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MidwinterAnemia-Redig.pdf

[Falcon Boy]

Great link! Did you end up getting a kestrel yet?

[acraig]

Thank you! That's a very helpful link!! And yes I have had a kestrel for about 4 weeks now

[oregonrt]

Oct 4, 2013 18:08:45 GMT -5 Falcon Boy said:

Great link! Did you end up getting a kestrel yet?

(FalconBoy, if you were talking to me here you go- otherwise oops!)

Yes! I have a male kestrel. The hood I got from Cazador is perfect!
I got busy with the bird and life in general so I haven't been posting and I probably won't other than things like this.

[Falcon Boy]

Oregonrt I was actually talking to you, acraig I remember you have a bird from a different thread Sorry I should have been more specific!

Oregonrt I am glad to hear you got a bird and the hood fits well! I hope your season goes well, I completely understand being busy and not posting much.

[oregonrt]

acraig- we are in the same general area (pacific NW). I'm curious what your birds trap weight was and what you've been flying him at. Pm or post here if you don't mind

[acraig]

No worries falcon boy and Oregon I sent you a message