Quote Originally Posted by red_tailed View Post
When is the best time to start introducing the hood? I absolutely hate having a bird that doesn't hood
Both McElroy and McDermott suggest introducing the hood from day one by way of a lot (dozens) of little sessions where you place the good on the baby hawk's head, but do not cinch down the braces scattered throughout the day. Once the skeleton is fully developed (~5 weeks old or so) then you can strike the braces and quickly take the hood back off.

I have done this, and liked the results. However, I found it works just as well to introduce the hood when I start flying them. There is a bit of intial fuss, but they settle in quickly. I keep hooding as part of the daily routine. Although having said that, you would probably be amused at how animated the discussion is with my 5 year old goshawk about whether or not she really has to wear her hat.