3 - Accomadation & Weathering Needs5

Perches inside the mews must be provided with the bird in mind. A variety of perching surfaces must also be provided. Perches and windows go together as poorly placed perches in relation to the windows will cause the bird additional stress. Be careful of perches in mews so that they are spaced far enough from the walls that if the bird turns around, her tail will not rub. And a tip to position the bath away from perches to avoid mutes in the bath. This mews is set up for birds who are flown every day and hearkens back to the very traditional mews. The screen perch accommodates several falcons at the same time who are then taken out every morning and replaced every evening.

Mews Windows Mews should have windows primarily for ventilation. As humans, we would design windows for our comfort with large expanses of open view, however the bird's needs are slightly different. First, the windows need bars to prevent the bird from getting out and other animals from getting in. Most birds need to be able to escape and to hide. Mews windows can help her achieve the feeling of hiding by having slats that appear to be solid wall from certain angles.

Consider which direction the window will face. A southwardly facing window will bring in much direct sunlight and allow the bird to bask, however if that is the direction of winds or rain, then shutters may be appropriate or a mews which faces another direction, or vents placed in particular areas around the mews to allow the proper amount of cross ventilation. some birds are ok with large windows (24"x24") others need smaller windows to prevent bating. Larger windows may make a weathering yard completely unnecessary. Some falconers put an open strip all along the bottom of the mews to allow air exchange and the bird to view the outside if she wishes, but to increase her sense that she can "get up" and hide in the corners. Some birds prefer perches in front of the window, others do not. Consider amount of light to be let in, angle of sun, and wind direction.

For mews bars, thick walled PVC pipe will hold almost any bird in and will not rot. However even the thick walled pipe will flex beyond what some falconers are comfortable with. Some run EMC inside the PVC pipe. This metal pipe inside the plastic pipe means that the PVC cannot be bent to a point of breaking and yet the plastic protects the bird if she does try to fly into the window.

Remember PVC is susceptible to breakdown due to UV light, heat, and is more brittle in the cold, but the thick walled exterior PVC will last a lot longer and will be more sturdy. If you will be using wood slats, anything from a 1"x2" to a 1"x6" will work. Mews bars for a Red-Tail sized bird should have no more than 50mm of open space between the bars. For a mews to hold any bird from a kestrel on up, it should have no more than 30mm of open space between the bars.