MickeyDredd
26-08-2005, 09:47 AM
Hi all.
Not sure if this warrants a new thread but didnt want to go off-thread on somebody elses thread.
One thing that I've noticed on this forum which surprises me is when newbies are asking for advice on whether to get a harris/size of mews etc it often crops up in answers that the newbie should build a big mews with a view to getting another HH and breeding from them.
Given the already over-supply of HH in the UK which has led to them being available to all and sundry for a couple of hundred quid, and the inexperience of the person asking the question, it never fails to amaze me that such advice is given. I would also expect an austringer to have a good few seasons with their first bird as they wil continue to learn from their hawk during that time and should always be striving to expose their bird to as much different flight styles and quarry as possible.
They shouldnt even be thinking of getting another HH for a few seasons, if at all, unless they are able to fly both birds successfully. If they wanted to have a breeding pair they would probably have to buy a second hand bird to roughly match the maturity of the pair i.e. if you have a 4 y-o male they cant then buy an eyas FHH as it will take a good few years for her to reach sexual maturity.
Also, this advice never seems to be given in the context of any other species being discussed although I admit this is the most common beginners bird of choice which gets discussed, although I've never seen this advice given with regard to red tails.
This isnt a rant its merely an observation. I simply think we should not be putting ideas of breeding in a newbies mind before they have even taken up their first bird.
Mike.
Not sure if this warrants a new thread but didnt want to go off-thread on somebody elses thread.
One thing that I've noticed on this forum which surprises me is when newbies are asking for advice on whether to get a harris/size of mews etc it often crops up in answers that the newbie should build a big mews with a view to getting another HH and breeding from them.
Given the already over-supply of HH in the UK which has led to them being available to all and sundry for a couple of hundred quid, and the inexperience of the person asking the question, it never fails to amaze me that such advice is given. I would also expect an austringer to have a good few seasons with their first bird as they wil continue to learn from their hawk during that time and should always be striving to expose their bird to as much different flight styles and quarry as possible.
They shouldnt even be thinking of getting another HH for a few seasons, if at all, unless they are able to fly both birds successfully. If they wanted to have a breeding pair they would probably have to buy a second hand bird to roughly match the maturity of the pair i.e. if you have a 4 y-o male they cant then buy an eyas FHH as it will take a good few years for her to reach sexual maturity.
Also, this advice never seems to be given in the context of any other species being discussed although I admit this is the most common beginners bird of choice which gets discussed, although I've never seen this advice given with regard to red tails.
This isnt a rant its merely an observation. I simply think we should not be putting ideas of breeding in a newbies mind before they have even taken up their first bird.
Mike.