This may be the craziest idea I've ever had...or not

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

TransplantedTexan wrote: I imagine that if a raptor was unhappy, when you let him out of the cage that would be the end of that.

From what I'm researching, this does in fact happen on occasion. The responsibility & commitment required for caring for a bird of prey is huge. I will not be making the decision until I fully understand what is required.​

 

[fowltemptress]

The rehabilitation group near me (I have no idea what they're called, sorry) says they have to spend four hours a day per bird to ensure they have the happiest life, and also to ensure they have the best of training, so they'll return and all that good stuff. Even so, twice they've had birds fly off. They said they managed to track down one and bring it home, but the other one disappeared, and because it had never had parents to imprint on it didn't know how to land properly, hunt, or avoid danger, so there is no hope of the poor thing surviving. They also told me about the time they were exercising one of their red tailed hawks, and a wild red tailed hawk came out of nowhere and mortally wounded the rehabilitated one.
The point of this story is, I would be highly against anyone taking this step if they weren't fully prepared to make major sacrifices for the raptor/s. Most people I know who own parrots spend nowhere near the proper amount of time it takes to own a happy bird. Even little cockatiels need at least an hour a day interaction (failing that, another cockatiel). Domesticated animals were bred to conform (somewhat) to the human animal's way of life. When we take on wild animals, we can't shirk the way we too often do with livestock and pets.
I love raptors, but I know I don't have what it takes to consistently give one what it needs on top of all my other buddies clamoring for my time and attention. If you can honestly say to yourself you are able to be consistent in your care and attention, go for it. But I would say even the faintest doubt is grounds for scrapping the whole idea.
Maybe you could volunteer? I shoot and collect sparrows (an invasive breed) for our nearby raptor facility, and I know there are a couple of licensed people who foster birds for a couple of days when the facility gets too crowded. It's worth looking into.

Oy, didn't mean to sound preachy, sorry if I came off that way.

 

[hooligan]

At Queen Wilhelmina park in AR, there is a "petting" zoo there of wild animals that ere injured by hunters/motorists etc and have been rehabilitated.
They have many birds of prey that have been trained in falconry.
If you are looking into a bird that can not be released back into the wild, thats cool. I would just have the chickens be priority #1. Though I am sure you'd discuss that with a rehabilitator!

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

My chooks are ALWAYS priority #1. This is not something I would jump into without serious thought.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Awesome! perigine falcons are AMAZING. i LOVE birds of prey. i LOVE all animals. that is so cool. i think you should totally go for it. good luck!

 

[DuckLady]

I applaud you for looking into rehab, LCRT. It is a hard thankless and expensive job, but ultimately satisfying and addicting.
I am sure you are finding out the regulations and standards can be strict, but I have no doubt, that once you weigh the pros and cons, you will make the best decision for the animals involved. Your care of your girls tells me that.

Get in touch with Jennifer at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, who is a well known federally licensed wildlife rehabber in North Carolina.
[email protected] She can help you with so much even across country lines. Just tell her I sent you!

 

[fallenweeble]

i have to agree with the folks who think that birds of prey should stay wild.

BOP are beautiful and majestic and i can totally understand your attraction to them - they are awesome!
i think it is a very intense sort of process to become licensed as a falconer. in the u.s. you have to find someone to mentor you and who will document all of the hours you spend learning from them and, i've heard, it isn't easy to find someone willing to take on new proteges'.
perhaps canada is different? i have no idea.
i've also heard that it is an EXPENSIVE hobby. but i can't confirm or deny it.
all in all it seems like one of those things you have to be REALLY dedicated to.

maybe just get some of those big, scary, majestic silkie chickens?

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

What I've decided is to volunteer my time at the Mounstberg Raptor Centre which is just up the road from me. All their birds are non releasable due to wing injury or human imprinting. I figure this will be a good way to learn about the care & rehab side of things. Then I can decide at a later date if I want to become more involved with actually taking on my own bird.

 

[Lunachick]

Good luck LCRT. Let us know how it goes.

 

[SebrightLover]

Quote:
Rehab is a hard thankless and expensive job. And heart wrenching at times. Terri- do you do rehab too?

Holly who rehabs non-game native wild birds (birds of prey and songbirds, and non-game waterfowl) in WV under Three Rivers Avian Center's permit