Correct Sized Hood

[Harris91]

When i have watched falconers hooding their birds in the past i have seen some give hard tugs at the braces and have often wondered how you can tell if the hood is the right size for the hawk and wether it could be touching the eyes. In a book i was reading (cant remeber which one as iv read so many!) they said a good way of knowing if the hood isnt or is touchig the birds eyes is to see if there is any moisture inside the hood if there is then the hood is touching the eyes and is to small. I was wondering if people agreed with this or had any other ways to be certain the hood is the correct size for the bird

many thanks

Richard

[Gozzhawk]

should be clear of gape , not tight at neck . sizings nowadays are about spot on . most makers if you say what you need they'll get it if not first time 2nd.

[Harris91]

Thanks thts helpful!:supz:

rich

[CotswoldRedtail]

should be clear of gape , not tight at neck . sizings nowadays are about spot on . most makers if you say what you need they'll get it if not first time 2nd.

Agreed. mind you my male harris has been a pain to fit but we're there now. check the birds head over for ANY small sign of rubbing. wet patches are a good early indication but just because they aren't present doesn't mean theres no rubbing going on.

[Gozzhawk]

oh............ some styles of hood will be better suited to certain species

[Little Joe]

1) It shouldnt come off if you pull at the topknot and the bird must be unable to toss it.

2) There must be a little room for your pinkie under the chinstrap part.

3) The bird musnt be able to see any light, but it must be able to open its beak completely - to cast or throw up

4) Must not touch the eyes - wet patches will be clearly visible on the inside if this requirement is not met and the bird will rub its face on its shoulder when hooded.

[Harris91]

Tahnks guys those were really helpful!:grin:

Rich

[Jiff]

good hood makers have spent manny, manny years compiling thiere pattern list, they keep these patterns safe, i personaly use ben long, i give him the birds species,sex and hunting weight and get a hood to fit just right, the damp patches in the hood have no bareing on the hood touching the eye, generaly been manufactured by the moisture imited by the eye and not through contact, different species of bird require a differant style however the gape is important, if you get it wrong and you make the mistake of going out one day and the bird hasnt cast, it could end in tears if the gape of the hood doesnt allow the bird to cast.

[Jiff]

most important of all.....fit the hood and watch the bird, it doesnt take a scientist to know the bird is in disscomfort.:yawinkle:

[FalconGriff]

Assuming that the bird looks comfortable (that's important) My method is a bit brutal but works for me. I hold the tassel or plume and pull the hood down to its feet, the bird will pull back but keep hold of the plume if the bird can pull its head out it's to big!! I don't like using hoods that a falcon can get off as its soon becomes a habit of it pulling its own hood off.

[Gos'n]

Off on a tangent.
good hood makers have spent manny, manny years compiling thiere pattern list, they keep these patterns safe, i personaly use ben long, i give him the birds species,sex and hunting weight and get a hood to fit just right, the damp patches in the hood have no bareing on the hood touching the eye, generaly been manufactured by the moisture imited by the eye and not through contact, different species of bird require a differant style however the gape is important, if you get it wrong and you make the mistake of going out one day and the bird hasnt cast, it could end in tears if the gape of the hood doesnt allow the bird to cast.

Has anyone actually had a bird die from not being able to cast through the hood? I've often heard this repeated, and am just wondering?

John

[Gozzhawk]

have caught a falcon struggling , severely , took hood off and owner went mental!!

some patterns will allow for this , others not so suitable

[OLHAWKER]

Some excellent replies posted here. Especially those concerning the importance of the size and shape of the gape. In my opinion the hood should clear all mouthparts so the bird can readily cast, eat and yawn without the hood rubbing the cere or lips.

[CanadaManada]

Some excellent replies posted here. Especially those concerning the importance of the size and shape of the gape. In my opinion the hood should clear all mouthparts so the bird can readily cast, eat and yawn without the hood rubbing the cere or lips.

I agree, but I can say that 95% of the pictures of dutch hoods I have seen show the hood touching the soft parts of the mouth. When the hooded bird opens its beak, I want to see right to the corners at the back of the mouth and then some. This is why I am such a fan of anglo-indian hoods.

Justin

[OLHAWKER]

Agree 100% with all you said. I think maybe the deal with Dutch hoods is the blocking. Since the hood assumes the shape of the block it may be impossible with some shapes to cut a gape that clears the mouth while at the same time sealing all light. To acquire the gape we are talking about probably requires different shaped blocks. Some hoodmakers agree with our thinking and have successfully created blocks and patterns that result in a gape that totally clears the mouth. As you said, I think the Anglo-Indian patterns lend themselves to more easily accomplish this.

Wayne

[Little Joe]

Its abit of a toss up. A hood that opens so wide usually allows light in. As long as the bird can get rid of nasty stuff, its okay by me. But the bigger the beak opens the better, as long as the two panels coverin the eyes are not compromised. It also depends on the stiffness of the leather and how you shape/bend it after buying it.

No need to for the bird to be able to swallow a rat, just big enough to discard junk. But the bigger the better without sight out...

[CanadaManada]

Agree 100% with all you said. I think maybe the deal with Dutch hoods is the blocking. Since the hood assumes the shape of the block it may be impossible with some shapes to cut a gape that clears the mouth while at the same time sealing all light. To acquire the gape we are talking about probably requires different shaped blocks. Some hoodmakers agree with our thinking and have successfully created blocks and patterns that result in a gape that totally clears the mouth. As you said, I think the Anglo-Indian patterns lend themselves to more easily accomplish this.

Wayne

Wayne,
Any of these blocks\patterns/makers come to mind? predator.steve on here makes an amazing blocked hood. Perhaps the best fit I've seen for fit around the gape.

Justin

[Steve Rose]

Wayne,
Any of these blocks\patterns/makers come to mind? predator.steve on here makes an amazing blocked hood. Perhaps the best fit I've seen for fit around the gape.

Justin
here you go justin, thanks for the praise
steve

[Gozzhawk]

i'd say that last one , for me personally , would be the type of fit ( on a dutch hood) that i would want for my bird.
also that style of top-knot is great to work with.


HOOD THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!

[OutHawkn]

I agree, but I can say that 95% of the pictures of dutch hoods I have seen show the hood touching the soft parts of the mouth. When the hooded bird opens its beak, I want to see right to the corners at the back of the mouth and then some. This is why I am such a fan of anglo-indian hoods.

Justin

I agree.....:supz:

[OLHAWKER]

Wayne,
Any of these blocks\patterns/makers come to mind? predator.steve on here makes an amazing blocked hood. Perhaps the best fit I've seen for fit around the gape.

Justin

Justin,
Sorry for the delay, just got back. The answer to your question is yes, but best to leave that judgment to the beholders. Those are truly nice fits. Maybe a little trim on the sides of the gape of the first hood, but the way it is formed "forward" on the sides so the leather lays flat on the bird instead of edges digging in does make it look quite comfortable and the opening adequate. The fit shown of these hoods is what I would look for if buying or strive for if making.
Wayne

[CanadaManada]

Well there you have it, Steve! So put your name on them and start selling blocks and patterns, already!

Justin

[Steve Rose]

Well there you have it, Steve! So put your name on them and start selling blocks and patterns, already!

Justin
hi justin
i have thought about it but decided at least for the next few years that i won't release the blocks or patterns to keep them exclusive. I only make a limited number of hoods each year otherwise i'd go boss eyed and the quality would suffer it takes me 4 days to complete a hood with about 8 hours work in total.
regards
steve rose