Creature comforts

[DorsetAde]

Any thoughts on how long to leave the carpet in the mews ? I put it in for my MRT a couple of weeks ago to protect him feather tips but he doesn't seem to want to sit on the bow much. Is he liking the carpet too much ? He usually bates on first pick up which is usualyy from the floor but once he;s on the fist he's fine ?

Any thoughts one and all
Cheers
Ade

[DeathFromAbove]

Hiya mate, not heard of carpet in the mews before lol, i've always used either fine sand or pea gravel, mainly pea gravel as the sand can stick to plumage if they take a bath. if you're worried about dammage to tail feathers it might be a good idea to introduce a tail guard while he settles in on the bow, i know how much it can grind when you see them bating away not seeming to care about their feathers but feathers are a little more resiliant than most think. is he this years bird of fresh out of the moult? what covering do you have on the bow for him?

[HunterPaul]

had a mate who nly ever used carpet in the muse but he worked where he could change the carpet every week...so didnt have any problems...I personally keep my bird on childrens play pit sand from toys r us...I dont put the bath inside the muse as Im fortunate enough to be able to have the bird on the lawn through the day...and would be worried about the bird baiting into it or taking a bath late on ...having a chilly night, and the bird being wet or damp all night...personal choice and as I said in a previous thread there are pros and cons to all different floor coverings...and it comes down to what suites the individual bird or person...

[DeathFromAbove]

yeah i agree paul, it's down to what works for the individual, as you said paul, your mate could change it weekly. i personally wouldn't use it as it can harbour allsorts of spores and nasties if not changed regularly which i imagine could become very expensive over time. what works for me in my aviery/mews is a 7 inch hardcore and 3-4 inch pea gravel, easy to clean and rake daily and all dirt washes down into ground and drains through.

[Coedhirion]

use round gravel for free loft in moult. Use the moult chamber as a safe place to tether on the bow once the bird starts flying free. Use astro around the bow during this time. Reduce roof height in there with temporary tarpauline sheet during this time so that the bird isn't looking to fly up to his top perches, which are removed any way. Bird settles well. Free loft at night in a 6' x 8' shed which is under cover and dosen't get the frost. I use best second hand bathroom carpet in there. I vacuum it out every second or third day, as the bird isn't fed in there it stays quite clean. If it gets too gruby, swop the carpet squares for clean ones and power hose the dirty ones. Also spray with anti mite when I take the bird out in the morning, about once every 6 to 8 weeks. Works fine for me, quick easy and cheap.

[DorsetAde]

Cheers Guys, I put the carpet in on the advise of the breeder. I think I'll take it out, theres pea gravel under the carpet so with a bit of luck he'll dislike the feel of the gravel and spend more time on the bow. The bow is covered with thick rubber, I got it at the falconry fair, can't remember whose it was, next door to Ben Longs stand. He sits fine on when hwe stays there but I think he prefers the carept, I'd best get it out of there before he turns into a right softy !!

Cheers for the advise guys, always appreciated.