How should an apprentice falconer best assess his raptor's condition daily?

Weighing a raptor daily is crucial for monitoring its health and condition. A falconer's primary concern should be ensuring that the bird maintains an optimal weight for its well-being, hunting performance, and overall activity level. The daily weight helps to detect any changes in the bird's condition, such as weight loss or gain, which can be indicative of health issues or improper feeding. Consistent weighing allows the falconer to make adjustments to the raptor's diet and management practices promptly.

While checking feather condition, feeling the keel, and checking for yarak are all important aspects of raptor care, they do not provide as immediate and quantifiable a measure of health as regular weighing. Feather condition can indicate general health but may not give a complete picture, and feeling the keel helps assess muscle condition but is subjective and less precise. Yaraks, or the state of readiness and focus in the bird, are important for hunting but are influenced by weight and overall health as well.