Hard winter preparation

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

In view of the weather warning for this winter, a really cold winter ahead. What preparation should we take for our mews accomodation? If we are going to be getting severe cold.... what precautions can we take to make sure our hawks & falcons dont suffer through a severe cold period?

[HunterPaul]

I use a ceramic bulb that sits inside like a metal lampshade...this hangs above the birds head, obviously high enough not to bate up to... this doesnt get too hot and seems to work, keeping the temperature around the bird, above freezing....I try to keep my eye on the weather as well...if it was gonna be too bad Im afraid Id bring her in and box her for the night, or put some sheeting down and bow her on that...but I live alone, so no wife to contend with....

[Saker-Clive]

Never put a bird away wet or damp; where possible keep them free-lofted. Close enclosure doors and either instal a heat lamp or an oil filled radiator set to come on at around 3c.
check the birds after flying for knocks etc. and allow them tocalm down after a days hunting/flying before locking them up.:supz:

[HunterPaul]

I cant remember what the heater thing is called but I got it from a farm shop and Im sure theyre used for heating piggeries...Ive had it afew years now...the bulb thing doesnt get too hot and gives off no light...will call in where I bought it and ask the name of the set up...

[Saker-Clive]

It's a ceramic heater:lol:

[Kanati]

if your hawks accomodation lets them get out of the wind and they can get up off the ground by more then 5 feet, they should be fine. Also in the case of the harris...if you have more then one and they get along, put them into gether, they will keep each other warm (some do some dont) . Put an insulated box in the aviary as high as pos for them to sleep in (if they dont work it out for them selves, go in after dark and put them in - they will catch on) apart from that, i would suggest those tube/bar heaters and set them up with a thermostat. For all you falconers that keep your hawks on a bow ...i guess the heater is the only option apart from bringing them in the house...

[Addi]

i use shelf pearches for my birds and i find the best one is a tubular heater placed under the pearch set to keep temps above 3 degrees .. keeps hawks happy and healthy

[Dave G]

got to laugh at the cold weather warning seems to be getting warmer winters then ever before leaves staying on trees longer we havent had a frost yet,but as for the cold snaps we have if its going to drop more than -2 c i just put the weight up a little if -5 then i would box them up for the night ,my mews are well coverd as sheds attached one side a row of garages at the back with conifers growing in between so well shelterd

[Skeld]

I use the the same set-up as Addi. Works very well!

[Blaze]

Do you need to provide a heater for the hawk mine will be housed in a 10,8 shed throughout the winter the ***** who i got my bird off said i dont need one

[Saker-Clive]

My Harris is in a 4m sq. enclosur. The housing section is a 8 x8 foot summerhouse; I have an oil filled radiator underneath the perch which spans across the whole width of the housing; and is about 5' high.

In general terms, we don't need to add heating BUT for peace of mind or if the bird has been flown hard, then for the sake of £15 for a heater I'd sooner be safe than sorry. In the wild, the desersts drop below freezing at night but the birds have the height of the trees and cacti to keep out of the cold. Dampness is the worst cause of wing tip odeama in conjunction with the cold................................

[FlameHairedFalconer]

What??? They are predicting a hard winter??? Again????

Thats what they said last year, and we had about 3 foot of snow up here, but it never got really cold for a long time (surely the definition of a hard winter?) I have no central heating, so I am well aware of what a hard winter is like....


I'm still using the coal and firewood I stored up for last years 'hard winter'!!

Personally, if I am concerned about the weather, I bring the hawks indoors...but not everyone has that luxury I suppose ;) (Best leave a mute to dry then hoover it up later I have found!)

[Falconry Equipment International]

(Best leave a mute to dry then hoover it up later I have found!)
Ha ha LOL a lass after my own heart