Car Rides.

[Dodes]

What you're saying does make sense, but I think the difference would be the design of the GH itself. If the box is large enough that the bird can turn in any direction it wants, then yeah, they'll find a favorite position. Which COULD be a position that causes feather damage. If the box doesn't allow the bird to go wherever she wants, she'll get used to whatever you throw at her.

[Tiercel78]

Yes Dodes,
But what if you are driving along and you have to stop suddenly. If the bird is out of position in the bigger box and throws it wings or tail out to balance. Then you get busted Primarys or tail. I know which way my bird is facing at all times. I also don't hear him shifting any in the box when riding sideways. Remeber riding in a car isn't a natural thing. I don't like wearing a seat belt all the time either but it keeps me safe. JMO with some fact.

What I'm getting to is this: 1. The farther a bird can spread it's wings the more fragil areas could come in contact with the walls of the hood.
2. The larger the hood also allows the bird to move into positions that would be bad in certain circumstance. I.E a wreck or trying to avoid something.
3. I sit my bird side ways in the hood cause I do a lot more stoping and going. It is easier for the bird to brace for those sitting sideways.

This is primarly for larger birds that ride in G-hoods and not really falcons (but maybe something to think about when thinking about how you want to transport them).

[Yarak]

I transported my FRT in a '72 FJ-40 for just over 4 years.
I have a large giant hood. The bird was placed so it would face fore or aft. The only thing I noticed was the feet locked down on the perch. Understanding the auto-locking mechanism, the bird is still very relaxed in that posture. No broken feathers. I got tired pf prying her feet off, so I started tidbiting her out. Now she comes out like a shot.
Yarak

[Tiercel78]

I'm pretty sure in most cases that you'll never see much feather damage. If the G-Hood is designed for how you transport or your lucky. I learned my way from John Karger who has many years transporting birds long distance for Ed programs to fund the project. Every perch in that trailer sit sideways except of the falcons.

[falconer]

Just a thought but how many falconers transport
there bird on a bow perch and no giant hood
but do use a leather hood i know this was done at one time

[Ooby]

My giant hood isn't even a giant hood really. I cut off most of the shade cloth that was blocking light, simply because i always hooded her when i put her in it. With a back up hood in the glove box of the truck, i saw no reason to keep the light blocking stuff on. So now its just a dog kennel with a 2X4 nailed along the bottom with astroturf on it.

Come next season she will be riding hooded on a cadge in the back of the truck with a camper shell on.

[falconer]

Come next season she will be riding hooded on a cadge in the back of the truck with a camper shell on.

Least ya know what i'm getting at m8
wonder how many more falconers feel the same

[Ooby]

Just about everyone i know has a cadge in the back of a truck with a camper shell.

[Weasel]

Most falconers with buteos use Giant hoods.....Most, but not all. I use one for the reds I have flown, but the Harris I will be taking on rides hooded on a block perch that is weighted. What it boils down to is what you have and what the bird will do. If you have a secure area to perch the bird and it takes the hood well, go for the perch if you want, but if the bird does not take the hood well and you are limited on space, use a giant hood. RT's cam slice a good distance and will mess up a car interior quickly, falcons mute straight down so it is easily controlable.

[Ooby]

Well first off, every bird i fly will end up taking the hood. That is a super priority for me. Ill let a bird go that is just deemed unhoodable for whatever reason. Its just too usefull a tool, and i spend a good amount of time training the bird to accept the hood easily.

Second, the cadge im gonna build is gonna be a 4X8 that is the length of my truck bed. Should be enough space for two birds, put some perch material on it and a secure clip to clip right to the swivel and BAM. Secure it to the truck bed and im set. With a bed liner, possibly rhino lining, mutes shouldn't be a big deal. Just hose it out.

For those with cars, i know i was one of em, a giant hood is really the only way to go. But i just HAD to get a truck. Its so much easier, and just better all around for hawking.

[snafu918]

Stand facing a friend and ask him to push you with the understanding that you have to keep your balance by swinging your arms or crouching and at the same time not moving your feet at all.

Do this little experiment and see how many time you fall down.

Now do the same experiment but stand sideways so your friend pushes on your shoulder. If the right answer to this question isn't obvious based on this example then I can't help you. ;-)

-- Cheers

[Weasel]

Well said!!!