pitfalls and remedies

[NightOwl]

There have been numerous posts on basic guidelines of how to imprint a gos but how about letting all know about what pitfalls you have encountered and how if you did remedy them.(shopuld be an interesting one this - i can't start it off as i've never done it but who knows what the future holds.)

[Hawkmaster]

Imprinted birds that are scared of hoods and hooding.

Terrified of cars, bikes etc.

Screaming.

[OutFlying]

Aggression on the kill when flown overweight during initial entering. - reduce weight slowly.

Possession of lure with too big a reward. - use only small piece.

Quiet as a mouse during first 6 weeks then food delay or weight reduction required to enter - noise begins - doesn't stop till your killing regularly. - fly as much as possible and have plenty of game.

[Goldie]

Imprinted birds that are scared of hoods and hooding.

Terrified of cars, bikes etc.

Screaming.

could they be described as malimprints :lol: :lol: :twisted: or just plain NIGHTMARES

[NightOwl]

if all could set out their replys like outflying i think this would benefit all.(problem then remedy/prevention.) if someone could elaborate more on the prevention of screaming as thats all i seem to hear about. Hawkmaster - i take it as being purely not having previously come across bikes,etc. until in the field and flying free is enough to spook them out?
could someone perhaps start another thread with a step by step guide from day one and with everyone chipping in we should on paper get the perfect imprint.

[OutFlying]

The first 6/7 weeks of gos imprinting is easy, rear it in your home using an imprint tank then once it gets too mobile teather to bow perch. Reduce 24 hour food availability from approx week 6. All food on lure from week 4 ish. You gos will be whisper quiet at this stage (6 weeks). But to enter him/her, it will need to be hungry - noise will begin but if you enter and continue having success noise will disappear after a further 6 weeks.
My gos by mid September never made a noise at home or in the field. The hard part of imprinting is smooth handling techniques, patience, knowing what to expect, spotting problems early.

Outflying.

[NightOwl]

thats a bit more like it outflying - what about these smooth handling techniques?
things to look for?
etc. etc.

[OutFlying]

You don't want much :lol:
Smooth handling techniques - why does an imprint want to sit on your glove, when you've raised it without food association and not picked him up. This will be one of the first problems you encounter, then you will have to recall to the lure then transfer to your glove another little problem. You will need to be smooth with handling techniques when overcoming the fore mentioned or he will shy away.

Problems when entering - he will chase and kill, then just stand on the kill if his weight is not right, yes he will chase fly hard and catch but most likely show signs of aggression towards yourself - this will require a weight reduction. Carrying is also an overweight problem. Weight not as easy to judge as p/r due to the fact they'll return at ridiculous weight and make out their starving when in fact their still too high.

An imprint gos can not be forced into actions like a p/r gos they need to be coerced and lead into the actions you want, i.e keep them happy.

Outflying

[HawkNorth]

how late can u pick the chick up to imprint?

[Bubo]

Aggression on the kill when flown overweight during initial entering. - reduce weight slowly.



Quiet as a mouse during first 6 weeks then food delay or weight reduction required to enter - noise begins -

wouldnt the fact that you are reducing weight slowly make the bird constantly hungry thus making it scream more? Is it not a good idea to get the weight down quickly? if not why?http://yelims3.free.fr/Hein/Hein56.gif

i know hawka another bubo special http://yelims.free.fr/Sourires/Sourire129.gif

[Jack Merlin]

There have been numerous posts on basic guidelines of how to imprint a gos but how about letting all know about what pitfalls you have encountered and how if you did remedy them.(shopuld be an interesting one this - i can't start it off as i've never done it but who knows what the future holds.)

I'm hearing reports of exaggerated nervousness when the imprint is well into being entered and flown, i.e. perhaps 3/4 way through the season and after many kills. This seems to be one of the unreported problems, like dogs that have been treated with the electric collar that are permanently marred, then shot and quietly buried with nothing said. Never hear about these! :(

[OutFlying]

[quote=OutFlying]Aggression on the kill when flown overweight during initial entering. - reduce weight slowly.



Quiet as a mouse during first 6 weeks then food delay or weight reduction required to enter - noise begins -

wouldnt the fact that you are reducing weight slowly make the bird constantly hungry thus making it scream more? Is it not a good idea to get the weight down quickly? if not why?http://yelims3.free.fr/Hein/Hein56.gif

Bubo, Noise and aggression are two separate problems, noise is due to it looking to you for food before it realizes it can catch it itself and become self sufficient - this will go when catching regularly - it doesn't have to be that hungry to call.
Aggression at the beginning is the bird being hungry enough to kill but instead of breaking into the prey will just "guard it" - this will take a slow weight reduction to cure it. Too fast a weight reduction will further the aggression and not solve it. If you slowly reduce, say 5 grams a day then stabilize for a day - the gos will be hungry at this weight then adjust and not feel hungry as much the following day - then reduce slightly again until the correct weight is found. With an imprint you cannot force the issue merely guide it. I've only experience with one imprint gos maybe someone more experience will be able to expand further....