Reducing Weight in Birds.

[Taowolf]

Hey folks,

Been discussing this with a good friend tonight and just wondered what you folks thought on the matter. In all the books i have read and articles on hunting and even on this forum. I have never came across in great detail information on how to reduce weight on your raptors properly and safely.

Is it me, have i not been looking in the correct places or is this a subject that can get people into alot of political trouble.

For example do you think its exceptable to drop there weight by 2 ounces a night 1/2 ounce a 1lb.

Why has it never been looked at apart from in falconry classes.

Cam.

[Little Joe]

I'm flying a tiercel that was fat at 750g, he now works at 590g and he's far from starving.

Then I'm flying a female Rednape that was fat at 700g, She started working at 650g and now a month later flies at 740g and she is always eager and hungry.

Every bird is different and slow or fast dropping is your choice. You'll get conflicting views even from the masters.

[MattSpar]

For example do you think its exceptable to drop there weight by 2 ounces a night 1/2 ounce a 1lb.



I've no idea how much experience you have, so forgive me, if you have some experience, for treating this as a novice question...

None of my hawks would lose that amount in 24hrs even if I tried to achieve it, which I certainly wouldn't. With big hawks, half an ounce can make the difference, with small hawks, the margin is much less.

If you have no idea what weight you're aiming for, then take the bird down slowly, monitoring its behavior all the while. Once it responds at a given weight, don't make the mistake of thinking that a bit more off will make it respond faster. Begin, instead, to level the weight off, assuming it behaves well, then, as it gets better, the weight should begin to go up, not down.

[Taowolf]

I've no idea how much experience you have, so forgive me, if you have some experience, for treating this as a novice question...

None of my hawks would lose that amount in 24hrs even if I tried to achieve it, which I certainly wouldn't. With big hawks, half an ounce can make the difference, with small hawks, the margin is much less.

If you have no idea what weight you're aiming for, then take the bird down slowly, monitoring its behavior all the while. Once it responds at a given weight, don't make the mistake of thinking that a bit more off will make it respond faster. Begin, instead, to level the weight off, assuming it behaves well, then, as it gets better, the weight should begin to go up, not down.



Guys this question is not for me its in general. What you said regarding dropping weight and checking the birds response thats good. but is it in a article or has a author went into great detail on this particular subject as lets face it this is where a beginner can really go wrong as in all things.

[HallBeck]

Surely its a question of response of the bird.

I favour cutting weight quickly until i get a response. I feel its better for the bird and particularly with HHs it helps prevent screaming.

I won't feed until the bird feeds on the fist - once you are at that stage the weight can normally remain the same through jumping and then flying to the fist.

Then the weight can be nudged up until a flying weight is found.

As far as giving any exact weight losses - its not really possible. Depends too much on the species. Some buteos have the ability to not eat and hardly lose weight either! Accpiters and falcons tend to drop weight faster and so mor ecare needs to be taken.

The amount of manning is also important. No point in taking anew bird and dropping its weight until you get a response if the bird isn't handled - it may just still be too wild in order to take the "risk" of taking its eye off you to feed.