Barn Owl Advice
Discussion
I've been wanting to have a bird for a very long time, and have thought about the idea of a barn owl.
Are there any people on here that keep barn owls themselves that could offer any advice on them, short of google and books I can't find anyone that can really help me out that much...
Are there any people on here that keep barn owls themselves that could offer any advice on them, short of google and books I can't find anyone that can really help me out that much...
I have no idea why you want to keep a barn owl as a pet, aside from the fact that they look nice.
But anyway, I would suggest a read of this (if you've not already)
http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/content_images/pdf/...
And then perhaps reconsider (they really are for experts only) and go and buy a dog or cat etc that will be rewarding and easy (ish) as a pet.
What are you going to actually 'do' with a barn owl other than use it as a cool pub boast/topic with friends etc "I have a pet owl"?
But anyway, I would suggest a read of this (if you've not already)
http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/content_images/pdf/...
And then perhaps reconsider (they really are for experts only) and go and buy a dog or cat etc that will be rewarding and easy (ish) as a pet.
What are you going to actually 'do' with a barn owl other than use it as a cool pub boast/topic with friends etc "I have a pet owl"?
I've always been interested in falconry & would love one or more birds to fly but after reading up on the subject, they need a lot of care & must be flown every day without fail.
The advice I gatherd through books/online suggested to find a local club & get some experience for a year or two before getting a bird of my own.
On that basis, I have held back as I simply don't have the necessary time required.
I apologise if you've already considered this, it wasn't obvious from your posts.
The advice I gatherd through books/online suggested to find a local club & get some experience for a year or two before getting a bird of my own.
On that basis, I have held back as I simply don't have the necessary time required.
I apologise if you've already considered this, it wasn't obvious from your posts.
Hi EdBarrett
If you are interested in birds of prey I suggest you find your local club and attend a couple of meetings or go to a Falconry centre for information.
It is a dedicated sport and NOT just a case of having a bird to look at and feed, they DO need regular exercise,
Then you must decide which way to go, Falconry or Hawking.
Both sports take a lot of dedication and time and the birds must be flown at regular intervals, falconry is a lot more involved.
I was inspired myself with the film Kes and a book titled My side of the mountain by Jean George and had my first bird at the age of 8 a beautiful little kestrel, funny enough called Kes.
I have had a Goshawk, Lanner/Saker and two Harris Hawks, Harvey and Sacha, I still have Sacha who is now 20 years old.
Please EdBarrett give me a mail before you consider getting a bird, I may be able to point you in the right direction,
regards Russell
If you are interested in birds of prey I suggest you find your local club and attend a couple of meetings or go to a Falconry centre for information.
It is a dedicated sport and NOT just a case of having a bird to look at and feed, they DO need regular exercise,
Then you must decide which way to go, Falconry or Hawking.
Both sports take a lot of dedication and time and the birds must be flown at regular intervals, falconry is a lot more involved.
I was inspired myself with the film Kes and a book titled My side of the mountain by Jean George and had my first bird at the age of 8 a beautiful little kestrel, funny enough called Kes.
I have had a Goshawk, Lanner/Saker and two Harris Hawks, Harvey and Sacha, I still have Sacha who is now 20 years old.
Please EdBarrett give me a mail before you consider getting a bird, I may be able to point you in the right direction,
regards Russell
Edited by highflyer on Saturday 9th March 10:27
Smiler
a sensible chap, like you said its very time consuming, you need lots of time but also space, and an understanding wife/partner because in the begining you will be spending more time with the bird than your partner, in a process called manning, which is vital to the trust between you and the bird.
But WOW ! it is worth every second when your bird is flying free and you hold up that glove, call her/him and a potentually wild bird is flying to you and lands on the glove for there reward, breath taking every time.
a sensible chap, like you said its very time consuming, you need lots of time but also space, and an understanding wife/partner because in the begining you will be spending more time with the bird than your partner, in a process called manning, which is vital to the trust between you and the bird.
But WOW ! it is worth every second when your bird is flying free and you hold up that glove, call her/him and a potentually wild bird is flying to you and lands on the glove for there reward, breath taking every time.
AdiT
Well Falconry is the art of flying Long wings ie Peregrine, Lanner, Saker, Gyr, prairie and now there are a number of cross breeds.
These birds are flown to a lure usually with the wings tied to it of there intended quarry ie grouse, partridge, pheasant, duck.
Hawking is the art of flying Broad wings ie Goshawk, Harris, buzzard, etc.
Falcons are carried to the hunting ground hooded, a quarry is found usually with a dog that goes on point then the falcon is unhooded left to rouse get there bearings then cast off, they gain height and when in the desired position the quarry is scared into making a break and the falcon called, then its the stoop to the quarry and the hit or miss thats exciting, same as flying the bird to the lure, but once the falcon has flown, its pretty much all over because he/she has put so much energy into the flying, you reward him/her, you can get a couple of flights depends on the bird but usually its go home.
Hawking on the other hand its a little like taking a dog for a walk because trained correctly they will follow you or the dog, and as soon as the dog sets something up the hawk will go for it, if you want to make a day of it you take the quarry from the bird giving a small reward and carry on flying, but remembering how many rewards you are giving because there is a point when the bird is full and when called will just sit there, thats how people loose there birds. Remember the only association the bird has with you is food and every time you take the bird out they must be weighed its called flying weight.
my Sacha flies perfectly at 2lb 2oz but 1/4 oz under she will fly off looking for food herself or 1/4 oz over she is behind me when she should be over the dog or me as I walk the field they follow from tree to tree or gate post it's quite a buzz watching her flying with you but also calling her down just to keep in check
Oh and Falcons are usually on a Block perch Hawks on a bow perch
hope this helps.
Well Falconry is the art of flying Long wings ie Peregrine, Lanner, Saker, Gyr, prairie and now there are a number of cross breeds.
These birds are flown to a lure usually with the wings tied to it of there intended quarry ie grouse, partridge, pheasant, duck.
Hawking is the art of flying Broad wings ie Goshawk, Harris, buzzard, etc.
Falcons are carried to the hunting ground hooded, a quarry is found usually with a dog that goes on point then the falcon is unhooded left to rouse get there bearings then cast off, they gain height and when in the desired position the quarry is scared into making a break and the falcon called, then its the stoop to the quarry and the hit or miss thats exciting, same as flying the bird to the lure, but once the falcon has flown, its pretty much all over because he/she has put so much energy into the flying, you reward him/her, you can get a couple of flights depends on the bird but usually its go home.
Hawking on the other hand its a little like taking a dog for a walk because trained correctly they will follow you or the dog, and as soon as the dog sets something up the hawk will go for it, if you want to make a day of it you take the quarry from the bird giving a small reward and carry on flying, but remembering how many rewards you are giving because there is a point when the bird is full and when called will just sit there, thats how people loose there birds. Remember the only association the bird has with you is food and every time you take the bird out they must be weighed its called flying weight.
my Sacha flies perfectly at 2lb 2oz but 1/4 oz under she will fly off looking for food herself or 1/4 oz over she is behind me when she should be over the dog or me as I walk the field they follow from tree to tree or gate post it's quite a buzz watching her flying with you but also calling her down just to keep in check
Oh and Falcons are usually on a Block perch Hawks on a bow perch
hope this helps.
Edited by highflyer on Saturday 9th March 13:07
Mr Pies
She will squark at a stranger that puts a lot of people off aproaching her but yes I stroke her on the front, back, tail and feet, its all part of the manning process, Sacha is perfectly man handable, people are always afraid of the beak but its the feet/tallons that you have to look out for as some birds will strike without warning and it can be very painful if they get a hand, the more you move the harder they grip, the feet are like ratchets and tighten a little bit more each time you move, its best to try and pick each toe out at a time.
so the answer is watch the feet,
She will squark at a stranger that puts a lot of people off aproaching her but yes I stroke her on the front, back, tail and feet, its all part of the manning process, Sacha is perfectly man handable, people are always afraid of the beak but its the feet/tallons that you have to look out for as some birds will strike without warning and it can be very painful if they get a hand, the more you move the harder they grip, the feet are like ratchets and tighten a little bit more each time you move, its best to try and pick each toe out at a time.
so the answer is watch the feet,
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff