A big thanks................

[Saker-Sucker]

.......to Griff on making up and dispatching my new Sljiper hood for Tarka.

At first it wouldn't sit properly on him and he seemed uncomfortable with it but Griff asked me to bell him and he went through the fitting proccess and it now sits much better:supz:
When I get some good pics of him in it, I'll post them up.

Thanks again Griff, good work as usual.:cool:

[GriffMJ]

Many thanks Clive :) I think I forgot to shape the "eye bowls" by the look of the hood (can be easily done if you give me a bell) ...... first time I have made a hood for a Lugger male or female so the "guess" at a 43S was correct I am happy to say :supz:

Fitting a Slijper hood for the first time.... if you have not used one before..... can be a bit tricky in so far as "understanding" the fit. What I normally tell people is to have the braces open just wide enough so it will slip over the head....... when its on.... gently close them a little..... then push the hood right back over the cere so that the point of the cere triangle is just off the cere..... this will then let everything else fit into place ie the soft gape not being covered etc.... once you have got this fit then close the braces fully.... ensuring that all is "equal" looking around the gape..... then get a water bottle spray and lightly spray the front of the hood so that you can see the water "bleed" into the edges of the gape..... this will have the action of "Moulding" any pressure points to the nares and cere giving a very comfortable , light tight, correctly fitting hood..... spray the hood once or twice more to ensure that comfortable fit...... and dont be afraid of getting water on the hood...... you will find that after a short period of time with use that the Slijper hood will naturally take the shape of your raptors head giving an even more comfortable fit and "Easy" hooding..... my Slijper hood for Hamish will stay on his head without the braces done up..... and even a good shake will not get it off :) Be aware also that if the bird has just eaten and then hooded that bits of food might get wiped onto the edge of the beak opening...... if this dries and is not cleaned off ..... it could cause an abrasion to the nares.

Some other benefits:

The Slijper Hood defeats "Turtle-necking" .... when the falcon becomes a bit more "dodgy" as confidence grows.
The neck band .... initially a close fit..... relaxes into the correct position for large castings to take place through the hood.
The more used the hood ... the better the fit..... and the longer the hood is used the more firm the leather becomes..... so initially its starts out "soft" and then hardens over time with the moisture continually being absorbed by it..... giving the "moulding to shape" qualites. Particularly beneficial for new birds.
Clives Lugger Male
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Tarka%20-%20Morticia/fitted1.jpg

[Bash]

Looking good there Griff. Nice fit for a first try.

[Saker-Sucker]

I must admit......he's much prettier without it:supz:

[Bash]

What is the plan for him today Clive? How is Mort doing?

[Saker-Sucker]

What is the plan for him today Clive? How is Mort doing?

Pretty much as the last few days; stepping up, jumping to the fist and feeding on the lure. You can pop over if you want, I'm not at the centre today:lol: