Housing facilities

(a) No resident of Connecticut shall be issued a falconry permit unless the commissioner or his designee has inspected and certified that the raptor housing facilities comply with all the requirements of subsections (b) to (i), inclusive, of this section. (b) Raptor housing facilities shall include a mews (indoor facility) and a weathering area that provides protection from the environment, predators and undue disturbance. The mews and weathering area may be one enclosure or two separate enclosures. (c) The requirements for separate mews shall be: (1) For a single raptor: An enclosure having dimensions of 8' x 8' x 7' (L x W x H) at a minimum; (2) for two or three raptors: An enclosure having dimensions of 8' x 8' x 7' (L x W x H) at a minimum, provided that each raptor shall be able to fully extend its wings without touching the roof, any walls or any other raptors; (3) the raptors shall be tethered or separated by solid partitions if the species or individuals cannot be safely housed together; (4) at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars that are spaced narrower than the width of the raptor's body; (5) a roof which covers at least one half the size of the enclosure; (6) at least three walls constructed of solid materials such as wood, metal, corrugated plastic or similar material; (7) the fourth wall may be constructed of nonsolid material such as chain-link fencing, welded wire, heavy-duty plastic mesh or vertical bars having a mesh opening or spacing between the vertical bars that prevents the escape or entrapment of the raptor. A mesh opening of 2 inches by 2 inches or spacing between vertical bars of 2 inches shall not be exceeded; (8) vestibule area with two secure doors that can be easily closed and locked at all times; (9) a floor consisting of pea gravel, sand, grass, artificial turf, rubber mats, or other artificial substrates that provide proper drainage and are easily cleaned; and, (10) two or more perches per raptor if the raptor is not tethered and one perch if the raptor is tethered. (d) The requirements for a separate weathering area shall be: (1) For a single raptor: An enclosure having dimensions of 8' x 8' x 7' (L x W x H) at a minimum; (2) for two or three raptors: An enclosure having dimensions of 8' x 8' x 7' (L x W x H) at a minimum provided that each raptor shall be able to fully extend its wings without touching the roof, any walls or any other raptors; (3) a roof that consists of a solid area at least one third (1/3) the size of the entire cage; (4) entirely enclosed with at least two of the side walls consisting of nonsolid materials such as chain-link fencing, welded wire, heavy-duty plastic mesh or vertical bars; (5) the mesh opening or spacing between the vertical bars shall prevent the escape or entrapment of all captive raptors; (6) the maximum mesh opening shall be 2 inches by 2 inches and the maximum spacing between vertical bars shall be 2 inches; and, (7) two or more perches per raptor if the raptor is not tethered and one perch per raptor if it is tethered. (e) The requirements for a combined mews and weathering area shall be: (1) For a single raptor: An enclosure having dimensions of 10' x 10' x 7' (L x W x H) at a minimum; (2) for two or three raptors: An enclosure having dimensions of 10' x 10' x 7' (L x W x H) at a minimum provided that each raptor shall be able to fully extend its wings without touching the roof, any walls or any other raptors; (3) the raptors shall be tethered or separated by solid partitions if the species or individuals cannot be safely housed together; (4) at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars that are spaced narrower than the width of the raptor's body; (5) a roof which covers at least one half the size of the enclosure; (6) at least three walls constructed of solid materials such as wood, metal, corrugated plastic or similar material; (7) at least one side wall constructed of nonsolid material such as chain-link fencing, welded wire, heavy-duty plastic mesh or vertical bars having a mesh opening or spacing between the vertical bars that prevents the escape or entrapment of the raptor. A mesh opening of 2 inches by 2 inches or spacing between vertical bars of 2 inches shall not be not be exceeded; (8) vestibule area with two secure doors that can be easily closed and locked at all times; (9) a floor consisting of pea gravel, sand, grass, artificial turf, rubber mats, or other artificial substrates that provide proper drainage and are easily cleaned; and, (10) two or more perches per raptor if the raptor is not tethered and one perch per raptor if it is tethered. (f) Perches located in the mews and weathering areas shall be of natural materials with all sharp protrusions removed or the perches shall be covered with sisal or manila strand rope, artificial turf or indoor/outdoor carpeting. Natural perches and coverings shall be replaced when worn. (g) A falconer relocating the raptor housing facility and the raptors to a new location shall notify the department 30 days in advance before the facility is relocated. (h) Any major structural changes to the mews or weathering area shall be reported, in writing, with accompanying photographs, to the commissioner no later than 30 days after completion of the changes. (i) The mews and weathering area shall be kept clean and maintained in good working order at all times.