Mews Floor

[anton 0]

Hi all,

 

looking for a bit of advice on flooring materials for a mews (Harris Hawks) i.e paving slabs, gravel ?

also mesh for walls size etc.

thought i would get everything together before the mega build starts. bit more advanced than a ferret hutch

 

cheers

anton

[SPAR 2]

I got 30mm pea shingle in 1 mews & 20mm in the other.

[gsi2000stokie 5]

I got 30mm pea shingle in 1 mews & 20mm in the other.

:stupid: same goes here owd. its all about the gravel

[SPAR 2]

I got 30mm pea shingle in 1 mews & 20mm in the other.

:stupid: same goes here owd. its all about the gravel

 

Im dumb not stupid

[gsi2000stokie 5]

I got 30mm pea shingle in 1 mews & 20mm in the other.

:stupid: same goes here owd. its all about the gravel

 

Im dumb not stupid

sorry. couldnt find the dumb smily matey. haha. i prefer to be called special. thats what my mum says anyway! :11:

[anton 0]

Thanks lads,

looks like gravel it is then

 

cheers

anton

[farlap 19]

Thanks lads,

looks like gravel it is then

 

cheers

anton

has anyone tried cow/horse mats? its something I have seen overseas alot and am thinking of trying it as more hygenic. Any thoughts?

[anton 0]

i had first thought of useing paving slabs (50 x 50) because of the cleaning aspect of it

and because it being outside and all also i need something that looks half decent to keep

her indoors happy

farlap what are these cow/horse mats then ? ok for outside ?

also people, what mesh are you useing ?

[perlin 0]

Is the bird going to be free lofted or tethered ?

Silver sand is an option which I found easy to keep clean.

Would recommend vertical bars (spaces would depend on the type of bird).

 

John

[anton 0]

I am hoping this year to get hold of a FHH or indeed a male

i said mesh but, after reading up on it i realise that bars could

be the way forward after reading about birds damaging themselves

on mesh etc

any opinions ?

[Kat 3]

Mesh has its place and is going to be alright in some aviaries and with some birds but its best avoided when you've alternatives and as already advised vertical bars are ideal. Its heartbreaking watching as your bird grabs mesh and its lovely tail and wing tips get crushed between the mesh and it ends up with a loo brush instead of a tail :wacko: With the bars they are far less able to grab onto them like a parrot might and so the damage is avoided to a much lesser degree. Mesh is also not good if the bird flies into it and its cere gets grazed and split.

Its nice when the bird looks 100% and its plummage is in a tip top state

[anton 0]

thanks for all of the advice people

the bird will be freelofted

and the space i have to play with is approx 14 foot x 8 foot

starting this weekend with the base

 

cheers

anton

[perlin 0]

Good luck...........don`t forget the safety porch...

 

John

[Albidus 0]

I use 10mm gravel, although if you intend to free-loft it doesnt really matter what size the gravel is, If tethered then the larger gravel would quickly blunt talons if the bird was batey.

 

If I was you I'd make provision in your aviary design to be able to tether the hawk, if it is a juvenile HH you will definately need to tether it, at least during initial training....and probably for a good while thereafter.

Edited April 9, 2008 by Albidus

[anton 0]

Would you suggest "normal" perches with a bow perch to tether ?