advice newbe

[porkypowell 2]

Hi,

Firstly hello all I am thinking about a fhh I have been working dogs/ferrets since a youngster and also a builder so accommodation is not a problem. I have read posts on both here and IFF, read a couple of books and watched dvds so I am quiet familiar with the keeping training and entering of a hawk all thats needed is hands on.

My main questions would be time.

I could commit the time required to man and enter but regarding time spent once the bird is working I would be looking to fly it on a weekend and the occasional midweek day through the season is this satisfactory.

I understand that the birds moults during the early summer so therefore are left alone during this. Would an hour a night during the week be suitable to keep the bird fit and socialized during the close season? I want to make sure I am doing the bird justice.

Thanks

Simon

[graham01 1]

Hi,

Firstly hello all I am thinking about a fhh I have been working dogs/ferrets since a youngster and also a builder so accommodation is not a problem. I have read posts on both here and IFF, read a couple of books and watched dvds so I am quiet familiar with the keeping training and entering of a hawk all thats needed is hands on.

My main questions would be time.

I could commit the time required to man and enter but regarding time spent once the bird is working I would be looking to fly it on a weekend and the occasional midweek day through the season is this satisfactory.

I understand that the birds moults during the early summer so therefore are left alone during this. Would an hour a night during the week be suitable to keep the bird fit and socialized during the close season? I want to make sure I am doing the bird justice.

Thanks

Simon

There is not a big need to keep socialising with the bird during the moult,just leave it moult in its aivery.There are a lot of people who keep the contact up with Harrises during the summer but it isnt essential.

[weasal 0]

hi mate,i would leave the hawk alone during the molt with regards to fitness on the days you dont fly her jump her to the fist standing on a set of steps with her on a bow perch this will keep her manned and fit, cut food into small bites. regard gary.

[trappa 517]

Simon, if im reading this right your wanting to fly on weekends only and man the bird for an hour on a night?!? yes?

If this IS the case then it is possible but it isnt ideal. The thing with flying on a weekend is all it takes is some rain one weekend and your bird doesnt get out for two weeks, Rain on two weekends and/or your lass wants to go shopping and its three weeks........Good intentions are blown out the window! Plus manning the bird at the start to get it trained takes many hours!

But if you push on and go for it, it is possible, and you may well get some good sport, though your bird will never reach full potential.

Hope this helps.