Cleaning during moult

[Kiwi]

It all seems to be down to individual choice as to how much or no contact during the moult.If you choose not to have any contact with the Bop during the moult how do you go about cleaning mutes and any disgarded food etc.Or disinfecting?Would you recommend to have no contact during the birds first moult?2nd moult 3rd moult are they all as important?Cant seem to find these answers in the books that I have read and I appologize in advance if they are stupid questions.Thanks.

[Nemesis]

hi there is mixed feeling,s on this but my fhh is in the moult lost two wing one tail feather,s and i go and pick her up every day, at the moment there is no problem as she is no different to me and enjoy,s the company i also peg her out on bow perch while i clean her out she only mone,s if i go near while she is feeding hope this helps /dave

[Kennelre]

You don't say what bird you have and people more experienced than I might comment on what would be best appropriate for something other than a Harris.....with regard to my own FHH I give her loads of attention and go in to clean her every day throughout the moult. I believe this keeps her nice and steady, and she chats away whilst I am doing the 'housekeeping' .There are various threads on this subject, if you have a look see, which also include loads of suggestions about how to alleviate boredom.

[Kiwi]

I have read the posts with regard to bordem and handling or not during the molt.i just wanted to know how you go about the housework without upsetting the bird if she doesn't want anything to do with you during the molt.I dont have a bird at the moment,going to get FHH, Im just wanting to check out all the angles before I do.I would want to fly her free during this time,thanks for the replies.

[Renton]

I have read the posts with regard to bordem and handling or not during the molt.i just wanted to know how you go about the housework without upsetting the bird if she doesn't want anything to do with you during the molt.I dont have a bird at the moment,going to get FHH, Im just wanting to check out all the angles before I do.I would want to fly her free during this time,thanks for the replies.

A well manned Harris' free lofted during the moult is no trouble; mine enjoys the attention when I am cleaning out her aviary, she keeps a very close eye on proceedings! Give a moulting Harris' a lot of social interaction: they get bored otherwise.

[Kennelre]

You said that you don't have your bird yet and I'm wondering when you are getting her and what age. This aviary cleaning thing is incredibly straightforward with your manned Harris.....are you by any chance getting a bird that is already moulting? It would be helpful if you could say a bit more about your concern.

[DeathFromAbove]

It all seems to be down to individual choice as to how much or no contact during the moult.If you choose not to have any contact with the Bop during the moult how do you go about cleaning mutes and any disgarded food etc.Or disinfecting?Would you recommend to have no contact during the birds first moult?2nd moult 3rd moult are they all as important?Cant seem to find these answers in the books that I have read and I appologize in advance if they are stupid questions.Thanks.

unfortunately there isn't alot of coverage in books regarding the moult altho in Falconry and Hawking by Glasier he covers it a little - if your bird is well manned then cleaning, tethering, fist feeding should not be a problem throughout the moult altho they do get a little more touchy toward the end just prior to the seson as i think they're eager to get back out there myself. I prefer to have daily contact with my FHH during the moult to keep the bond going altho there are some who prefer not to and that's their choice and if it were a gos or something more highly strung then i would say to leave her be but harris' are more social and indeed benefit from the daily clean and contact.

[HoumaFalconer]

I for one cannot figure out why anyone would not interact with there bird during the molt. These are birds of prey, not something you can just pick up for 6 months and toss food at it. The more interaction you have with your hawk will only make the bond between you greater.
dennis

[BFG]

I clean once a week in the moult i have daily maning if you have the time!:roll:

[Kiwi]

I would hopefully be getting the bird in aug,sept a 2006 FHH.Dont get me wrong Houmafalconer I want to interact with her during the moult not just leave her.wanted to know other views with regard handling & cleaning during the moult should the bird stress with my presence during this time.Have got Falconry & Hawking 3rd edition by glasier amonst others but you dont get feedback like this from the books.Obviously with plenty of time manning and continuous manning during the moult the bird will not get bored or stressed,but I will also tell whether she would want me there at times.Cos stressing is the last thing I would want her to do.Thanks for all the info folks.:D

[Mikey]

My MHH is one of the steadiest some experienced falconers have seen(ask albie or HM!) Iput him away for the moult quite some time ago(feels like years already cos i miss him!?)
At first i kept the manning going,picking him up,feeding on the fist etc.But he eventually/gradually decided he was less keen on my presence!I kept it going for a bit but decided to leave him alone when he started getting ratty n edgie towards me.This will likely cause frets and potentially ruin his plumage so i leave him be.
I seriously think you should take each bird as it is...they are all different,if you have any doubts then leave them,it does no harm!