Thanks for a really honest look at a sensitive subject. For me accipiters are the difficult ones to freeloft. Some take to it and some do better tethered. Which is why a law or rule is a bad idea. It should be whatever is best for that individual bird.
Hundred percent agree ; both should always be an option. My bald eagle is a good example , I’m still undecided about freeloft for him but tethering iWorks brilliantly for him
Like many Falconers/Austringers I free-loft during the moult and tethered for the flying season. At the end of the day, as you say, you do what is best for the bird. Personally I am just grateful that in the UK we have the Hawk Board lobbying MPs and law makers on behalf of all keepers of Birds of Prey. Without them we would have been shafted years ago.
Even when free-lofted during moulting season, the falconer must enter and socialize daily with the bird- what you mention at the end is fundamental and completely agree! Great video
I’ve been flying birds for over 45 years Dave and everything you say is true, during my time as a pro falconer on the front line of PR with the general public I’ve been so frustrated at times with their assumptions and lack of understanding but I’ve bit my tongue and done my best to educate them and once they’ve been out flying with the birds they’re almost in tears because of the emotions that are aroused within them after spending time flying them them to their glove and then they can see how well they’re cared for and loved.
Yes indeed, I have chats with some who go away with a totally different view ; others will say black is white if it means holding in to their misguided view
Hi Dave another top class video with some spot on views it's a shame that the minority nowadays seem to have the loudest voice in regards to free lofting or teetering do what's best for your birds
All birds that I fly are being kept tethered until I stop flying they enter free lofts or aviaries. I find it keeps them behaved better. I agree with the Owls being free lofted is a better way though.
Nice one dave. My Harris hawks get used for pest control flying some times 6 days a week. Can't see that free loft will give them enything extra. My male beats himself into the wall if he's not tethered. Tethering all the way gives you all the options for the good of the bird.
Valid points , on both sides , it comes down to common sense and knowledge on your subject matter ! , a falconer knows when his / her birds are healthy and happy , but know your craft ! , and you my friend certainly do ! , can’t fault your viewpoint, we could all learn a lot from you , been keeping bop for 45 yrs , and still learning , we are all still learning , brilliant videos my friend , keep it up !😊
Same here always learning and changing stuff . I e kept snakes and newts and everything since a kid and tbh I e learned two new things on both subjects this last week from others UA-cam videos ; stuff that’s made what I do better and one tip that blew my mind after all these years ; if your snake bites and hangs on you can nibble on it’s tail and it will let go , that would have saved me some blood over the years hehe
Great discussion of pros and cons! Our Harris (from this year) has been free-lofted since we could trust that she would come to our glove, but we handle her every day. To give our neighbours a break from her squawking, we tether her in a cool sunroom occasionally and she's content and safe there. We hunt (crows) several times a week and train often. On rest days I often walk her around the village for a change of scenery (tethered to my glove because she can only fly free where we have permission to hunt - we're in Germany). Crow season ends in 11 days but we plan to handle her during the moult also - at least weighing and probably going for walks. Looking forward to your video about hooding, which she hates! I probably waited too long to get started. Learning every day... 🙂
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy LOL So far, so good! A few weeks after she arrived we invited those nearest to us over for a "Hawk welcome party" where we introduced her. Food & wine helped... ;-)
To answer your question, I would say both. Free lofting, you have to make sure you have enough perches so the bird doesn't dull it's talons or break its feathers. When tethering birds, you have to make sure it never gets tangled up. (like you mentioned in your video) My question is, when the bird's molting, then what do you do? What is the best method, to ensure the bird's new feathers are protected? (Especially over active accipiters)🤔
A cipiters ar fat weight I’ve alsways had great results if seclusion aviaries . Good point you raised about talons; wood perches uncovered once aged can indeed blunt talons
Given the DEFRA debate, this is a hot topic. It seemed to me that your list of 'Pros' for free lofting was more about the well being of the bird (ability to move to various perches in sun or rain, security from predators, they get a bit of exercise, etc), where tethering 'Pros' were a bit more about our convenience (e.g. keeping more birds in a smaller space, easier to man, easier to pick up, no need to calm a bird or design an aviary and perches properly). Also, in your experience, are free lofted birds less susceptible to bumblefoot than tethered birds? I can 100% see the benefit of tethering and creance lines in early training, but for falconers with only one or two birds, manning them every day shouldn't be beyond them, should it? If you don't have time to spend with your birds, if you don't have space to keep them, then maybe you shouldn't be keeping them in the first place? Really informative video. Cheers.
Cheers for that. I’m not pro either but hundred percent tethering should not be taken away from us : if I had one falconry bird say; I’d deffo try and get it free lofted, but for sure I have birds that do much better tethered . We need both options to be part of our falconry
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy How about the Bumblefoot issue Dave? You've got years of experience with a lot of different species and housing methods. Do you reckon free lofting reduces susceptibility to foot problems? Appreciate your replies!
Here in NSW Australia, it is mandated to have shadecloth on the inside to protect feathers. Is this not more suitable? 30% would allow enough sun in would it not? I realize that your birds are on display so that is different to rehabbing raptors. Very good points though, thanks Dave.
Thanks chris, we use shade cloth and zoomesh for that reason on some of our aviaries . However here I have to say that most of the year we are desperate to allow sunshine in, for our birds well being , last time I was out n you neck of the woods a spring day was as hot as a freak summer day here! Hehe . Downsides are also , as you say, birds can’t be seen and talons can and do get caught in netting and hang bird up as they fly to front to get to falconer ( I realize for you it’s a very good idea though ) I would say for falconry bars with a window ledge is by far the best all round option … thanks for a good informative comment chris
Your not wrong Dave I keep getting reported for my lurchers and even been reported to trading standards for having the bird out for a bath it’s a sad life some people live these days
Move over David Brent, there's a new self-important bore in town. Skip the first 6 minutes of rant about conservationists and see if you can tolerate what info he has to share.😒
Thanks for a really honest look at a sensitive subject. For me accipiters are the difficult ones to freeloft. Some take to it and some do better tethered. Which is why a law or rule is a bad idea. It should be whatever is best for that individual bird.
Hundred percent agree ; both should always be an option. My bald eagle is a good example , I’m still undecided about freeloft for him but tethering iWorks brilliantly for him
Like many Falconers/Austringers I free-loft during the moult and tethered for the flying season. At the end of the day, as you say, you do what is best for the bird.
Personally I am just grateful that in the UK we have the Hawk Board lobbying MPs and law makers on behalf of all keepers of Birds of Prey. Without them we would have been shafted years ago.
Even when free-lofted during moulting season, the falconer must enter and socialize daily with the bird- what you mention at the end is fundamental and completely agree! Great video
I’ve been flying birds for over 45 years Dave and everything you say is true, during my time as a pro falconer on the front line of PR with the general public I’ve been so frustrated at times with their assumptions and lack of understanding but I’ve bit my tongue and done my best to educate them and once they’ve been out flying with the birds they’re almost in tears because of the emotions that are aroused within them after spending time flying them them to their glove and then they can see how well they’re cared for and loved.
Yes indeed, I have chats with some who go away with a totally different view ; others will say black is white if it means holding in to their misguided view
Hi Dave another top class video with some spot on views it's a shame that the minority nowadays seem to have the loudest voice in regards to free lofting or teetering do what's best for your birds
I know; clueless folk trying to tell us what’s best for our birds!
All birds that I fly are being kept tethered until I stop flying they enter free lofts or aviaries. I find it keeps them behaved better. I agree with the Owls being free lofted is a better way though.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us, It's very much appreciated
Thanks; ; always happy to help people from my years of mistakes !thanks do much for tuning in!
So much rather
Nice one dave. My Harris hawks get used for pest control flying some times 6 days a week. Can't see that free loft will give them enything extra. My male beats himself into the wall if he's not tethered. Tethering all the way gives you all the options for the good of the bird.
Good comment
Valid points , on both sides , it comes down to common sense and knowledge on your subject matter ! , a falconer knows when his / her birds are healthy and happy , but know your craft ! , and you my friend certainly do ! , can’t fault your viewpoint, we could all learn a lot from you , been keeping bop for 45 yrs , and still learning , we are all still learning , brilliant videos my friend , keep it up !😊
Same here always learning and changing stuff . I e kept snakes and newts and everything since a kid and tbh I e learned two new things on both subjects this last week from others UA-cam videos ; stuff that’s made what I do better and one tip that blew my mind after all these years ; if your snake bites and hangs on you can nibble on it’s tail and it will let go , that would have saved me some blood over the years hehe
This video was amazing thank you
Nice one dave!
I appreciate the tips about perches near the window before building a mews this spring!
Nice one
Great discussion of pros and cons! Our Harris (from this year) has been free-lofted since we could trust that she would come to our glove, but we handle her every day. To give our neighbours a break from her squawking, we tether her in a cool sunroom occasionally and she's content and safe there. We hunt (crows) several times a week and train often. On rest days I often walk her around the village for a change of scenery (tethered to my glove because she can only fly free where we have permission to hunt - we're in Germany). Crow season ends in 11 days but we plan to handle her during the moult also - at least weighing and probably going for walks.
Looking forward to your video about hooding, which she hates! I probably waited too long to get started. Learning every day... 🙂
Good comment ; and are your neighbours still friends? Hehe
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy LOL So far, so good! A few weeks after she arrived we invited those nearest to us over for a "Hawk welcome party" where we introduced her. Food & wine helped... ;-)
Hehe i like your style !
Great video! Thanks for the breakdown.
Cheers
Excellent watch 👏
Thankyou
Brilliant info/video.
Thanks
To answer your question, I would say both. Free lofting, you have to make sure you have enough perches so the bird doesn't dull it's talons or break its feathers. When tethering birds, you have to make sure it never gets tangled up. (like you mentioned in your video) My question is, when the bird's molting, then what do you do? What is the best method, to ensure the bird's new feathers are protected?
(Especially over active accipiters)🤔
A cipiters ar fat weight I’ve alsways had great results if seclusion aviaries . Good point you raised about talons; wood perches uncovered once aged can indeed blunt talons
Given the DEFRA debate, this is a hot topic. It seemed to me that your list of 'Pros' for free lofting was more about the well being of the bird (ability to move to various perches in sun or rain, security from predators, they get a bit of exercise, etc), where tethering 'Pros' were a bit more about our convenience (e.g. keeping more birds in a smaller space, easier to man, easier to pick up, no need to calm a bird or design an aviary and perches properly).
Also, in your experience, are free lofted birds less susceptible to bumblefoot than tethered birds?
I can 100% see the benefit of tethering and creance lines in early training, but for falconers with only one or two birds, manning them every day shouldn't be beyond them, should it? If you don't have time to spend with your birds, if you don't have space to keep them, then maybe you shouldn't be keeping them in the first place?
Really informative video. Cheers.
Cheers for that. I’m not pro either but hundred percent tethering should not be taken away from us : if I had one falconry bird say; I’d deffo try and get it free lofted, but for sure I have birds that do much better tethered . We need both options to be part of our falconry
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy How about the Bumblefoot issue Dave? You've got years of experience with a lot of different species and housing methods. Do you reckon free lofting reduces susceptibility to foot problems?
Appreciate your replies!
@kennypryde4235 proper use of proper astroturf has more or less rid us of bumblefoot I’d say ( thorns and bites asside)
Here in NSW Australia, it is mandated to have shadecloth on the inside to protect feathers. Is this not more suitable? 30% would allow enough sun in would it not? I realize that your birds are on display so that is different to rehabbing raptors.
Very good points though, thanks Dave.
Thanks chris, we use shade cloth and zoomesh for that reason on some of our aviaries . However here I have to say that most of the year we are desperate to allow sunshine in, for our birds well being , last time I was out n you neck of the woods a spring day was as hot as a freak summer day here! Hehe . Downsides are also , as you say, birds can’t be seen and talons can and do get caught in netting and hang bird up as they fly to front to get to falconer ( I realize for you it’s a very good idea though ) I would say for falconry bars with a window ledge is by far the best all round option … thanks for a good informative comment chris
Your not wrong Dave I keep getting reported for my lurchers and even been reported to trading standards for having the bird out for a bath it’s a sad life some people live these days
It’s just full of folk with empty lives I’m sure , do Golders that haven’t a clue what thyre trying to achieve
Persionaly say it depends on the bird it’s self had birds that wood not style free had birds wood not settle tethered and cider versa
Another very informative video. Soon you won't even be allowed to call your female BOP Delilah....
Hehe I know…….
Move over David Brent, there's a new self-important bore in town.
Skip the first 6 minutes of rant about conservationists and see if you can tolerate what info he has to share.😒
Nothing helpful for you but let
Me know your channel that helps others from your experience and I’ll tell everyone about it to help them further hehe