Falconry: Tail Guards, how and why?

[@freebirdofreason1994]

Very interesting thank you, good food for thought film.

[@mikeelder1685]

Great Lesson! Lots of things to consider and evaluate.

[@dominikadonnelly7098]

Thank you for another educational video Dave. I wasn’t going to comment because I know you would be disappointed but we all make mistakes and learn from them. I’m a novice got my first female Harris last august. Textbook bird I couldn’t have asked for a better first bird. Anyhow to the point…… when I got her I had her tethered in her mews (converted 10x8 shed) on a bow preach. From day one she would not stop beating ! I mean constant! Not baiting away from me, it was almost like she was desperate to get out. I moved the bow perch about, took out the high corner perch, took off the window shelf but nothing would work. In the end she snapped the very tip of one of the tail feather. I was beyond gutted but I knew I had to change something big time to prevent further damage and obviously reduce the stress. Im not a big fan of tail guards and I know you shouldn’t free loft a young bird especially still in training but I was running out of options so I decided to take the risk. As soon as I had her flying on glove I’ve put everything back in her mews and set her free in it . I always walk in glove first with a chick leg and she jumps straight on. I fly her every day unless the weather is really bad but I can happily say I have not had any problems with her since she’s been free lofted. Not something I would advice people to do especially with a new bird but in my case as a sort of a last option it worked a charm.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Well done for thinking about the problem and solving it I say ; nice one

[@青タンパンダ]

Nice to meet you. Thank you for your always fun videos. I'm looking forward to watching it again next year. I wish you a happy new year. Merry Christmas! From Japan...

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thanks for tuning in so far away !

[@johnwilkes7190]

Hmm I remember the ones from old xray film bit like the printers gear. I tend to think mitigate the cause as you say , in saying that some birds are just feather breaking specalists, so perhaps its horses for courses..... in saying that make sure the way the birds are kept/handled/housed is optimal. My main thing against tail gaurds other than preening is that they get a bit humid and "icky" so to speak. The water thing is definetly a feature esp moulting imo. Plus one on the bow perch so many now are "D" perches rather than bows. 100 percent on the wild to Falconry bird prey selection as a rehabber. I can absoloutley confirm your view I have to agree on pole perches for some birds they are train wreckers, some birds are fine , some not so much.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Nice input and have a great Xmas upside down and in summer !

[@johnwilkes7190]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy Thanks Dave look fwd to our next chat I am indeed upside down and in summer hehe

[@pixie706]

No , I'm not a falconer but am wondering if you use any dietary supplements. The skeletal strength of many creatures including ourselves can be hugely impacted by mineral deficiency. Not a cure for bating 😮 but might help strengthen the feathers .

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

If you’re feeding mostly low quality food then it’s prudent but not needed with good quality varied diet . As they’re then eating whole animals and they totally digest bone etc. they metabolize bone and low calcium diet eventually causes fits etc