box designs

[Wightwings]

as some of you know i will be picking up a couple of new birds ina few weeks. have any of you guys got and good but simple designs for transport boxes.
cheers
Chris

[Milsbon]

i know a chap who builds superb ones for £50, they will last a lifetime, let me know if your interested and i'll forward you his number

[Sean]

http://home.comcast.net/~baywingdb/hawkbox.htm
hope this helps

[David & Carol Newby]

We use medium size, plastic pet transport boxes. I can take a pic of what they look like when ready to ship birds if you need a pic. What we do is place nonloop carpet in the bottom, duck tape berlap fabric over the air holes/vents to allow air yet keep it dark, and zip tie cardbord to the inside of the door. We have had less problems recieving birds if they are not hooded, placed on a flat floor, and the tails are not bound with card stock. Hope this helps, Carol

[Wightwings]

thanks everyone. M any chance you can get some details on the boxes.i.e dims, material etc. A piccy would be nice of poss???
thanks for the w site sean i made some notes. :D

[Saker-Clive]

WW, I'll show you mine when we meet up shortly; I basically made a 2ft cube, out of 9mm mdf, laminated. It's big enough for an overnight box and fits in the car nicely.

[Miguel Gomez]

Brilliant clive your gent as usual. Gotta take the missus, Carol, to Hollinbury on thursday she doing a first aid assessment on someone at Asda there. what you up to then?? If your around PM some contact details and i'll give you a shout, :D
Cheers

Chris

[Wightwings]

woops???? thats mine, just realised been messing with the cookies on here after PM probs and it didnt log we on :oops:

[David & Carol Newby]

This is what we use and it works out well. Cheers, Carol

[Wightwings]

thanks carol, looks good ( a nice size too ) I like the way you have covered the holes but still allowed circulation. Sometimes improvisation is the mother of all invention :D

[Andy_G]

how do u go on about the bird not messing its tail feathers up on the astro truf is there room to put a perch in?

[Hawkmaster]

Most birds are better at first in a box like that, the first time. You can either leave the tail as is if it is a HH, their feathers are really durable or just wet them and if it is something like a Gos, then tape up the tail.

[Jay]

I use the same kind of dog box but slightly bigger and it has a perch within it. I can't see using just a flat surface, good way to mess up some tail feathers. True HH tail feathers are extremely durable but the other disadvantages I see are that the bird would be standing in its own mutes as well as in a car the bird could slide around without being able to grip a perch during sudden stops, acceleration, or turns.

[North East Harris Hawker]

I use the same kind of dog box but slightly bigger and it has a perch within it. I can't see using just a flat surface, good way to mess up some tail feathers. True HH tail feathers are extremely durable but the other disadvantages I see are that the bird would be standing in its own mutes as well as in a car the bird could slide around without being able to grip a perch during sudden stops, acceleration, or turns.

if the tail is taped up (a good idea when collecting youngsters) there is little chance of damaging it, a piece of carpet/astroturf/hessian stops the bird moving around too much, i dont know about others but my style of driving changes considerably when i have my bird in the car, there is no sudden movement at all. If the bird is being collected even a 6 hour journey would not reslut in many mutes, i deliberately missed feeding on the day when i knew a bird was going to be collected and i suspect most other breeders do the same

[Jay]

I missread the post about picking up a new bird. For everyday transport to and from the feild I would prefer somthing with a perch. Expecaly where I am the roads can get rough getting to my hawking spots. Even if your drive as safe as possable sumthing can still happen. "Murphy's Law"

[North East Harris Hawker]

ah right :) sounds like "sod's law" we have in the uk, leave the car window open, it will rain, drop your toast, it will land butter side down! sod's law!

[Wightwings]

thanks guys, had a look at SS's the other day on my visit and he has a small perch in it, perhaps 2-3" high. its just a solid perch a bit like a step under the astro. I liked that idea as there was no where for the bird to sbag up but it could use it if required to stand on or get behing s a form of scure footing.
again thanks for the feedback :D

[Jay]

Murphy's Law states "if it can happen, it will happen at the worst possable time". Most US falconers will refer to this law when talking about things that can happen in falconry.

[BrianM]

i bought the best double carry box i have ever seen from Falcon Fabrications in Staffs they were up here in scotland at the game fair its made from black fiberglass welded at the joints it cost £100 for the double,,its the dogs danglies, the guys name is Martin Underwood Email him on martin@falconfabrications.fsnet.co.uk

[Afshimo]

I got one of the best boxes I hope, it was home made, light as a feather, because its made out of plastic, not one of the expensive ones off hawk box and a easily stained white, its black, special plug at the bottom to let the water drain, the vent holes are covererd in bent plastic so the bird wont bate for the light. Its dead easy to wash, bird's happy as she wont bate for the light and I feel like Im carrying a red tail rather than a golden eagle lol. If anyone else can get hold of someone who can weld you plastic, ask him to weld you one - you wont regret it!

[Hawkmaster]

Hannah do you have any pictures?

[Wightwings]

yes please any of you also Brian, or does he have a web site?

[Kevin Massey]

fully jetwashable

[Kevin Massey]

some americans i know use correx (its a corigated plastic).

10mm thick for the walls ect....and 3mm thick for the corners (jointing) the 3mm bends to make the corners then is glued....they are well lightweight.
#
kev

[IAmTheWeasel]

Yea, I have a few falconer friends that have made those. The material is called coroplast. I don't use them for several reasons. One, they are flimsy and won't hold up to rides in the bed of my truck. Two, they look awfull. I am a firm beleiver in making them out of wood. I used lightweight panel wood with a frame and it's very sturdy and safe for my bird.

[North East Harris Hawker]

nice box kev, did you knock that one up yourself or did you buy it?

[Afshimo]

sry, ,but i don't have any pics of the box, will get sum done tonite, and ones of the spar too. I think the camera is sorted now lol.

[Kevin Massey]

a friend of a friend made it for me........cost me about £50 ish......i cant remember now....

ive got two

kev

[Afshimo]

pics coming soon.

[BrianM]

ive went right off wooden boxes as i had a bird sent up from devon in a joiner made carrybox ,,,,,,,, three week s later it died, from asper ... the only thing we could come up with was it spent 10hrs in a wooden box i now use a black perplast welded box ( see post above) i will get you some piccys

[BrianM]

my double plastic carrybox

[Wightwings]

i like that Brian, iv ,mailed him for some prices.

Cheers Chris :D

[Wightwings]

Brian returned mail host unknown? is his address still as per your earlier post?

[BrianM]

as far as i know its.. martin@falconfabrication.fsnet.co.uk
or phone 01782396054 or mobile 07971408921.. thats the double carrier i think it cost me £110 including carrage

[Wightwings]

the mail address doesnt work so will ring him. thanks Brian your gent :D

[Grand Master Falconer]

I can't see the fascination in BLACK carrying boxes have you lot never heard of heat stroke?
Fair enough in this day and age most cars have air conditioning which guards against the posibility of this but I have had more falconers come to me than I care to remember, in tears cos they took there hawk out on a hot day in their black (mobile oven) sorry hawk box, and it subsequently died from heat exhaustion.
Black is the greatest conductor of heat and therefor is posibly the worst colour to have a hawk box.
Also, if you made your hawk to the hood, you wouldn't need a box anyway! When hooded very few birds mute(unless they are left hooded for extended periods) if they are about to go hunting or flying they are less likely to.
So instead of a big box taking up half the car you have a bird sized bird in a hood, this not only makes it easier for you but if you and three mates are all going out together you can all fit in a reasonably sized saloon car with hawks on fist!
Boxes do have there place and are especially handy if your travelling away as they make a good portable mini mews. And it is important for them to be easy to clean and lightweight if your gonna be carrying it about.
I am currently making a twin hawk box which also encorporates an upright draw for gloves and bags and a compartment for perches.(I don't intend carrying it about!!!! LOL) But this is as part of my 'mobile falconry centre' and not for nipping up the road to fly a bird.
When I am nipping up the road I hood my birds.
There is this ingenious thingy ma jig I saw in a falconers car about 6 years ago, I don't know if they are still made or who made them! But you fold down the back seats of your hatchback and in the two catches either side that hold the seat in position you place this telescopic perch, it has, welded on each end, the same catch as is on the side of the seats thus it fits perfectly and won't budge even if Nigel Mansells driving! unhooded it carries one hawk/falcon or two friendly hawks/falcons, hooded it will carry about five!
Its brilliant!! Undoubtedly one of the best modern falconry additions i have seen.
Without useing a box you get the following benefits: Takes up less space, will fit in any car, no bent feathers, no poo on feathers, no chance of the hawk getting tangled in its equipment without you noticing, no trying to climb through air holes to see whats going on outside!!, no box to clean!, no fumbling around in a dark box cos your redtail has pulled its leash inside!, much reduced chance of bird suffering from heat exhaustion, Bird won't fall over if you go round a corner to fast, no faffing around trying to get the bird back in the box when its time to go home, no earache of your girly cos that blooody box is in the way again. I am sure I could think of more, these are all problems I have had or seen others having with hawk boxes.
As appossed to problems with a Hooded Hawk : it might poo down your seat, it might poo on your leg, it might poo on your mrs' leg or it might take its hood off. and thats about it and lets face it only one of them things is a real problem.
There is also a legal regulation size for a hawk traveling box does yours meet this regulation?
Your local RSPCA will be able to advise you of these regulations.
Best wishes
Rick

Ps Ill post a photo of my multi-box when ive finnished making it!

[Debbie]

GMF (Rick) and All,

If you transport birds un boxed do you not get other cars nearly
colliding with yours trying to see the birds?

I have had this many times when transporting parrots - un hooded obviously :lol:

Also a box does provide protection for your bird in case of an accident and as most accidents happen within a 5 mile radius of your home this would make some sense.

Also security as people don't know whats in the box.

Having an estate car is great as they have a pull accross cover.
In my last car I would pop this out and replace it with a perch and often would have 5 African Greys perched on it in a line - looked really comical but the noise - and yes they were teathered otherwise i'd have the window open and they'd be gone :shock: :lol:

Debbs

[Grand Master Falconer]

Yes i vividly remember a metro driving into a lamppost on noticing the ferruginous in the back of my motor, but hey thats why he got insured isn't it!!!

[BrianM]

the box in the picture has 1" holes drilled in the back for ventilation it also has a plastic "blind" welded as well to allow air but not light in

[BrianM]

why is it in life whenever you buy somthing someone allways knocks it or could have got one cheaper,bigger,better or says that youve wasted your money cause they dont use one.

[Wightwings]

i know brian its the same the world over. wasnt looking at the colour i was looking at the box, could be pink pockadots for all i care lol.

the heat thing is a fair point thanks Rick, but ANY so called falconer that losses a bird in a box because of heat stroke whats there nuts clamping.

its all down to common sense and practical management. :D

[BrianM]

how did you get on Chris .... did you give him a phone??

[Wightwings]

must admit not doen today busy with work before i break of on Friday. printed his details off tho and will ing him before end of the week.

cheers again will let you know how i got on. :D

[Shaun Byrne]

If you break this Friday you will have plenty of time to make your own lol!! Its much more satisfying, go on get the tools out, I'll post you a pic of mine.

[Wightwings]

made two already but heavy as hell. good strong roomy boxes tho but still like to see some pics you know me :wink: :roll:

[Shaun Byrne]

Here's some pics of mine, excuse the quality, i've just taken them in the dark.

[Shaun Byrne]

OOPS forgot to rotate that one!

[Shaun Byrne]

Here you go Chris, have a look at this (if you havn't already).

http://www.americanfalconry.com/HawkinGear2.html

[Wightwings]

OOPS forgot to rotate that one!

lmao Shaun i thought 2 bloody heck its stuck to the wall" ?????????lmao

cheers mate i like the designs. :D

[Jack Merlin]

the other disadvantages I see are that the bird would be standing in its own mutes

The answer to the mute problem is to fill the bottom inch of the box with torn up newspaper. Tear newspaper and you'll find it strips quite nicely along the grain. Then cut or tear these strips into smaller pieces, ideally about the size of a postage stamp. I guarantee the mutes will not stain the feathers.

Jack

[OutFlying]

This is a box I had made, it will house anything up to the size of a finnish female gos. Cost of materials approx £80 plus the labour. Fully seam welded inside and out, full length stainless hinge riveted, internal baffle to prevent any light ingress via vent holes, rebated door to prevent light ingress. Easy to clean.
Jim.

[OutFlying]

I try a better picture this time

[Jack Merlin]

OutFlying's box - picture attached.

[Jack Merlin]

There's a guy called Martin on the list who uses a supermarket carrier bag!<vbg> No accounting for taste.

[BrianM]

looks heavy ,, what does it weigh???

[OutFlying]

It's made of 4mm polycarb, doesn't weigh too much - but stable enough not to fall over when travelling in the car. It must be the quality construction that makes it look heavy :D
Jim :D

[ScarletFever]

That looks so good that I could hide my money in there. It looks so secure even the wife wouldn't try to break in to it......................Then again, perhaps if I wired it to the mains just in case :?

[Mary Quite Contrary]

My friend has a Box made by LINTRAN especially for birds.
It has a dividing wall in the middle so you have the option to keep two birds in the box, also its is black inside and out, two doors with locks and a light.

[IAmTheWeasel]

Outflying, Is there any chance you can post some details on the design of that GH? I am interested in the framework and attachment of the polycarbonate sheeting.

[OutFlying]

Outflying, Is there any chance you can post some details on the design of that GH? I am interested in the framework and attachment of the polycarbonate sheeting.

That box was formed from 6 individual pieces welded together, sizes approx 22" high, 20" wide. 22" deep (these are from memory, will measure tomorrow - easily big enough for finnish female gos). There is no framework as the sides are welded inside and out. But since this design I found out it is possible to bend the box into shape using a hot wire - so only the door and back section need welding.

[Tim Laycock]

The best traveling box I have ever used was my fathers, it was made from a upvc water tank.
It was exellent as once the astroturf was removed from the bottom it could be washed out with boiling water.
The body of the box was formed from one sheet of plastic so there was no where to harbour dirt and the door was totaly removable for soaking.

[OutFlying]

a few more details

[OutFlying]

and some more

[OutFlying]

door locks

[Tim Laycock]

I have a sheet of 3mm poly propelene at work for making a box.
I will get it butchered and post some pics when its finished :D

[OutFlying]

good luck..............................

[Tim Laycock]

Cheers mate :D

[North East Harris Hawker]

very snazzy! 8)

[Gary.B]

I recieved a hawk box from Martin at falconry fabrications today, it's very light and strong, should last for years. I'm very pleased, great service.

[Mary Quite Contrary]

I received a hawk box from Martin at falconry fabrications today, it's very light and strong, should last for years. I'm very pleased, great service.


I am going to buy one of there large double boxes soon. Looked good at the Fair. I also liked there imitation stone blocks.

[OutFlying]

One thing with the stone blocks - is how hot will they get in the summer ? I know most falcons are moulting during summer but some people moult them out on the block.

[OutFlying]

I recieved a hawk box from Martin at falconry fabrications today, it's very light and strong, should last for years. I'm very pleased, great service.

I bought one from Martin for a friend off eBay, very good service. Only one small critism or comment on the box - the hinges are poor and could do with replacing with a full length stainless piano hinge.

[Tim Laycock]

One thing with the stone blocks - is how hot will they get in the summer ?
Ladies and Gentlemen!
I introduce to you:-The Dancing Falcon Training Device. :roll: :lol:

[OutFlying]

:shock: Pop a crumpet on the top and hey presto a garden crumpet toaster...........

[Wightwings]

I received a hawk box from Martin at falconry fabrications today, it's very light and strong, should last for years. I'm very pleased, great service.


I am going to buy one of there large double boxes soon. Looked good at the Fair. I also liked there imitation stone blocks.

bought a medium double of him two weeks ago off ebay....love it......great service and a good product with loads of contact from Martin. Just big enough for a large male HH and no more unless you drop the perch.

would recommend for sure.

[Tim Laycock]

:lol: :mrgreen:

[SW3AN29]

i think that pet carrier is a brillant idea always used to make my own out of 2x2 and plywood belive me a lot of hassle and not really light can you get them pet carriers big enough for female red tail

[Mary Quite Contrary]

One thing with the stone blocks - is how hot will they get in the summer ?
Ladies and Gentlemen!
I introduce to you:-The Dancing Falcon Training Device. :roll: :lol:

Sorry a bit slow in picking this up!

If you can tell them what the difference is between a UPVC block and a stone block in direct sunlight is i would like to know.

The UPVC however give out fumes if hot. There is a study by the RICS going on at the moment to see what effect all this UPVC is having to the atmosphere.

[Tim Laycock]

Personaly I Would use neither for a block. Then again I don't care to own a bird of prey that requires one. :|

[Mary Quite Contrary]

. Then again I don't care to own a bird of prey that requires one. :|



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