Breeding Harris - Hawks

[Jess]

Can anyone give me some information on how to go about breeding harrises? I
have a creche reared female who will be three in May. I would like to know
when to start and how to set up the avairy, how to introduce her to a male,
etc,etc.

[Clive Stancer]

Jess wrote in message <785qut$mj0$1...@news8.svr.pol.co.uk>...

>Broad question but I will try to answer it,
I have two pairs of breeding Harris & they are both very different in
breeding habits,There is no magical secrets & some may disagree with my
findings but it works for me.
1, Wire aviary or seclusion I use both but I would recommend seclusion.
2, Size Minimum 12 x 12 x 8 high (the higher the better).
3,The nest ledge to be the highest point so heavy birds are not dropping in
on the eggs.
4,A perch full width of the aviary with a min of 24" head room for
copulating.
5,Nest ledge 3x6 with a 9 inch lip (stops the youngsters falling out).
6,I use lelandie for nesting material about 4" deep & built the nest for the
birds, I also
use a motorbike tyre in the middle (that should bring a few people
screaming out the wood work !!!) one pair just use the tyre & lay in the
nest without any real nest building,
the others tear it to pieces & start again.
7.If possible make the nest ledge south facing & it must be 100% dry
8.Make provision to feed & watering your birds without going into the
aviary.
9.If the budget will run to C.C.T.V. this excellent (about £90 from B&Q for
black & white)
10. Introduce the male first & make sure he is at top weight
11. Your female at 3 years old could lay but males seem to be slow to mature
& you would do better with a 5 year + male
12.Introduce the male early Jan & intro the female a couple of weeks later
(again at top weight) they may be some aggression at first but this will
soon pass.
It is very unusual for Harris to kill each other.
13. Diet varied chicks, rabbit, mice, rats, pheasant, & quail (do not go
overboard with the pheasant & quail) also try a supplement A1 raptor is very
good(am I on commission you ask yourself)
14. The down side........it makes your hawking season very short if you try
breeding from your flying stock, also you do not make loads of money,If you
breed birds for your own use or friends & sell the surplus stock it gives
you a lot of satisfaction.
15. do not sell the youngsters until they are a min 16 weeks old

THIS IS NOT HOW TO DO IT BUT IT WORKS FOR ME!
Any further quires contact me personally
Clive Stancer
cl...@chbarg.demon.co.uk