Fabios Gear!

video on his anklets, jesses how they work and why I chose these specific items for him

[@oliverreno4734]

Great video, Kai. I come from the UK, and one of the most beloved films of British cinema is a film called 'Kes', which is about a working class boy from a mining village who finds a Kestrel chick and becomes an amateur falconer, based on the book 'A Kestrel for a Knave'. It isn't a particularly happy film, but it left a huge impression on me as a youth, and is probably one of the reasons why I have such a great appreciation for wildlife and birds of prey as an adult - You should check it out. Like your videos btw.

[@Zombie_Longwinger]

Those anklets need changing great looking Harris

[@falconrywithkai]

These are not too stretched for him, they cannot fit over any of the the toes and do not pose any issues for that with how his foot is, I was careful about . No issues with them since placement(several months). I have fit them looser since his old ones rubbed and caused an abrasion. Pre-stretched for healing. He did not tolerate the "tighter fit" of his old anklet. I specifically had in person input from several falconers on the matter and its not an issue not too loose etc may just appear weird on video. These have cut fringes and are rolled on edges on purpose for a thinner fit on the leg. I monitor them daily for problems including extra stretching. Thanks for the concern though🙂.

[@falconrywithkai]

Looked at my records to confirm. Placed almost the last day of September. So they are basically brand new. Loose fit on purpose for healing hos abrasion caused by his previous anklets being too thick and he didnt tolerate the more usual tightess you see in anklets. Hes been challenging to fit gear too he will tolerate. Will not tolerate braided anything, will not tolerate thicker tighter fitting anklets. I just watch it a lot more closely since hos are more pliable and soft to avoid him wrecking his legs like he did already

[@Zombie_Longwinger]

@@falconrywithkai You’ll find tighter more snug fitting anklets will get looser as they wear them in from having a bath and probably body heat. You shouldn’t let him dictate what he wears just keep using braid until he’s used to it and stops picking at it I’ve just had to replace a set my Tiercel peregrine has been picking they do it out of boredom and I find when you lower their weight to flying weight not all pick their gear it is annoying though. Great work on your journey veg tan calf leather is very good for anklets and gear also. The trick to getting them to stop destroying their gear is get them flying and catching stuff Harris hawks are highly intelligent and need alot of stimulation when not flying or sat on a bow perch weathering they need stuff to look at song bird feeders to attract birds or bird tables in your garden he can see he still has his baby brain.

[@falconrywithkai]

@Zombie_Longwinger Yea I get that for other birds it might work. For him he was wearing wounds onto his legs from his dislike of the thicker gear, a health safety issue which I would rather avoid. His anklets are plenty tight, just looks wider since the grommet is what I had on hand at the time. Zero risk of being too loose. Thin to heal his leg wound caused by the thick anklets he did not tolerate. He did the same with the braided jesses picking them but also ended up picking holes into his legs, by mistake amd causing pressure sores on the back of his foot from how he stood or how they rubbed. Switching to leather has completely removed this issue and concern entirely. I prefer to use leather but will use braided if the bird tolerates it. If its a safety issue I will not even go down that road. I dont intend on switching back only for him to wear wounds into his legs again and have to spend weeks healing it lol thats silly. If it aint broken dont fix it.😆 No ability to use outdoor open weathering yards up where I am at so its not an option. I just spend more time out with him if I can depending on my schedule. Season has been slow, unexpected health issue related so making do with what I have for this season. Still catching things I just dont post any of that online. He mainly hunts birds.