1. (a) Permit holders shall comply with the applicable facilities and equipment standards of this subchapter in addition to any specific requirements stated in their permits. All facilities and equipment are subject to inspection by the department.

2. (b) Permit holders shall provide facilities appropriately sized, constructed, and maintained so as to provide a safe environment for raptors held under a permit issued under the authority of this subchapter. The primary consideration for raptor housing facilities, whether indoors (mews) or outdoors (weathering area), is protection from the elements, predators and undue disturbance.

   1. (1) Clean water shall be available at all times except when medical circumstances require the temporary denial of water.
   2. (2) Veterinary care shall be available to all raptors.

3. (c) Permittees shall maintain facilities that meet the following standards.

   1. (1) Indoor facility standards.

      1. (A) In any facility housing more than one raptor, the raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions.
      2. (B) Each raptor in possession must be provided with a minimum of 32 square feet and the area must be large enough to allow the raptor to fully extend its wings.
      3. (C) There shall be at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars spaced narrower than the width of the raptor's body, and a secure door that can be easily closed.
      4. (D) The floor of the mew shall permit easy cleaning and shall be well drained.
      5. (E) Adequate perches shall be provided.

   2. (2) Outdoor facility (weathering area) standards.

      1. (A) Weathering areas shall be fenced and covered with netting or roofed to protect the raptors from disturbance and attack by predators.
      2. (B) The enclosed area shall be large enough to insure that raptors cannot strike the fence when flying from a perch.
      3. (C) A weathering facility shall provide each raptor with adequate protection from excessive sun, wind, and inclement weather.
   3. (3) Only one facility is required if it meets the requirements for both indoor and outdoor facilities.

4. (d) Permittees shall have at least one each of the following items:

   1. (1) gauntlet glove;
   2. (2) one pair of alymeri jesses or similar type constructed of pliable, high-quality leather or suitable synthetic material to be used when any raptor is flown free (traditional one piece jesses may not be used at any time);
   3. (3) hood;
   4. (4) a strong swivel of acceptable falconry design per raptor;
   5. (5) a reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing a raptor, graduated to increments of not more than 1/2 ounce (15 grams);
   6. (6) a flexible, weather-resistant leash per raptor;
   7. (7) a bath container, two to six inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each raptor; and
   8. (8) one portable perch for each raptor.
5. (e) A raptor may be held in temporary facilities not to exceed 30 days. Temporary facilities shall be provided with an adequate perch and protected from extreme temperatures and excessive disturbances. The provisions of this subsection include authorization to transport a raptor to and from a temporary facility.
6. (f) Another general or master falconer may care for the raptors of a permit holder for up to 30 days if written authorization from the permit holder accompanies the raptors when they are transferred.
7. (g) Feathers that are molted and feathers from raptors that die in captivity may be retained and exchanged by permit holders only for imping purposes.

Source Note:The provisions of this §65.266 adopted to be effective September 16, 1996, 21 TexReg 8518.