Raptor facilities come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The primary design consideration is the protection of the bird from harsh environmental conditions, predators, undue disturbance, and self-injury. These guidelines outline the generally accepted norms for proper housing of falconry raptors.  Although the guidelines allow for flexibility and ingenuity, the reader is reminded that these designs are time-tested. Experimentation and innovation are one thing; cutting corners is another.

The health and well-being of the bird is every falconer’s first responsibility. Download a Falconry Equipment Checklist here. 

A detailed guide to facilities design and appropriate equipment is also provided. Download Facilities and Care Standards here. A summary is listed below:

Mews Requirements

Barred windows- chain link and chicken wire should not be used.
Light, dry, well-ventilated and protected from the elements.
Easy-to-clean floor.
Secure double door.
Padded perches

Weathering Area Requirements

Protection from excessive sun or cold wind, and from predators.
A bird is always tethered in a weathering yard; an appropriate perch is required.
Bird’s wings cannot touch the fencing material when bating.

There many other excellent sources of information that provide much greater detail than is possible here. The website The Modern Apprentice (www.themodernapprentice.com) has an excellent section on mews and perch design. Other sources of information can be found in the recommended reading list.

Mews or Indoor Facilities

The mews shall be large enough to allow easy access and to allow the bird to fully extend its wings. If more than one non-breeding raptor is to be kept in the mew, the raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions. Recommended sizes are as follows:

Kestrel or similar size bird 6′ x 6′ x 6′
Peregrine Falcon or similar size bird 6′ x 8′ x 7′
Red-tailed Hawk or similar size bird 8′ x 8′ x 7′
Larger birds 10′ x 10′ x 8′

There shall be at least one window or a partially open roof. Windows shall be protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the bird’s head. Poultry netting, fencing or similar material may not be used on vertical surfaces where a bird is allowed to “free loft” (i.e. is not tethered to a perch). Open roof sections should be barred or covered with fencing or netting. The main door should be secure and easily closed. The floor of the mew shall permit easy cleaning and shall be well drained. Adequate perches shall be provided.

Weathering Area

Weathering Areas (outdoor facilities) shall be fenced and covered with netting or roofed to protect the birds from disturbance and attack by predators. The enclosed area shall be large enough to insure the birds cannot strike the fence when flying from the perch. Protection from excessive sun, wind, and inclement weather shall be provided for each bird. A bird is always tethered in a weathering yard and an appropriate perch shall be provided.

Perches and Baths

Perches are critically important. The perching surfaces must be easy to keep clean, quick-drying, and not too abrasive. The perch must be designed such that snagging of the leash is impossible. Also, a bird should never be left unattended when tethered to a perch from which it can hang upside down. It should always be able to reach the ground or other flat surface.

The three main types of perches are block perches, normally used for falcons, bow perches, normally used for hawks, and shelf or wall perches, which are used in mews and other indoor situations. Typically examples of these perches can be seen in the illustrations below.

Although raptors do not need continuous access to water, they should be given the opportunity to bathe and drink on a regular basis. Bath pans should be wider than the length of the bird and 5cm to 12cm deep. During the winter, when extreme cold makes bathing impossible, water can be added to their food to ensure that the birds do not become dehydrated.

Illustrations

Click on thumbnails to see a larger image.