Mews or dog run?

[jae]

Hello all! Name is Jae, and first post to these forums, though not exactly new (been looking around and getting great advice). Just passed my falconry exam this past Monday, so I'm excited for the upcoming season!

I have most of my required equipment, and now just down to facilities. I've talked to my sponsor about this, and as it was my original plan to build a standardized mew, my sponsor came in and suggested to just have a dog run, with half of it shaded with a jump box. The reason for his suggestion is that me and my husband live in a town-home/duplex with a fair sized backyard (which we don't use), but my parents will be giving us their very nice home once they move in two years. My sponsor was thinking it would be much more simple to have something that can be easy to take apart since we would be moving in two years or so, which I can agree with.

So I'm posting to see what everyone's opinion is on this. My husband really wants to build the mew (he does construction everyday at his job, so he knows how to build things), and he was going to build the mew in a way where it can be easily taken apart and transported. And I'm sort of leaning to the mew idea as well. The mew design originally was going to be 8'x12', with a 4' hallway/work area, and the actual enclosure 8'x8' with a small weathering area connected on the side.

Should I go with the dog run idea, which I've looked to see if anyone is selling one in my area, and there are none, and invest in something that's going to cost just as much as building the mew, and then build the mew two years later once we get the house? Or just go ahead and build the mew? My sponsor did give the idea to me to think about, so the dog run isn't his set plan for me at the moment.

[robhawkyyz]

a dog run large enough would be fine as long as you have a place for the hawk In case of inclement weather.

[megapode]

Depending upon materials the cost could be the same either way. I built a mews 8X12 just as you describe, that in theory is able to unscrew, break down into 4X8 sections, and load into a truck. After 3 years I would not move it unless I had no alternative.

The dog kennel weathering areas can be doable, but are usually made on the cheap and barely serviceable in my opinion. My chief complaint is they are too short. I have a 5 foot jump box and the bird can jump straight up another foot. My wire roof is 8 feet high because I do not like to walk bent over with a bird on my fist.

[echotadog]

If your husband is good at construction , have him build a modular mews that can be moved in two years. And still attached to a dog kennel.
Maybe something 10x4 that attached to three sides 10x10 kennel . You'd have a hybrid mews and meet both your wishes and your sponsors .

[MarkT]

From a cost perspective, portable mews make a lot of sense. In reality, every time I have moved I have built new mews and each time the new mews improved upon the short comings of the previous mews. My suggestion would be to build your mews in a way that when you move it can be easily converted to a storage shed and when you get to you new place, rebuild based on your experience with your previous mews.

[roadofficer]

Jae,
I'm as new as you are, but I say build the mew. Construction will begin on mine tomorrow I hope. I'm doing an 8'x8' with a lean-to style roof. It will also have an 8'x8' attached weathering yard attached. I looked at several plans and photos online. Mine is a hybrid of the things I liked and could afford.