Purple Martin Forum

If you’re concerned about rain getting in through the small vent holes, A 1 inch elbow vent would work, but agree the more ventilation the better.. but like Phil I’m in very hot and humid environment. I use 2, 1 inch elbow vents in all my gourds..
Rob

Great article tom! Great trapping tips… as my HOSPs are pretty well under control, and I’m more of a hunter of my HOSPS, than a trapper, I prefer hunting method, … but awesome info if I need it in the future. Will save this article. It’s definitely something all new Martin landlords should read, if ...

Dave I lost one chick to that exact occurrence. An SY dragged a chick to the front room of a 6x12 compartment.. I found him there during a nest check. Looked very weak and unfed .. I fed him then put him back in the nest, but he couldn’t recover. He was too far gone..
it’s a possibility..
Rob

I have neighborhood cats that strategically hunt my martins ..they hide and wait for something to fall from the housing.. as Tom said, I do not tolerate them hanging around.. these are stray cats, that don’t belong to me, so I pop them in the butt with a BB gun.. it doesn’t harm them or penetrate th...

Dave, I assume there are no markings or signs of trauma… say from an angry HOSP, or a competing SY male?
Rob

Excellent news Dave! You’re helping produce many more martins.. numbers up here too and all over se Louisiana from what I’ve been hearing.. all good news for these great birds..
Rob

Hi… ventilation is not only for heat, but to create air flow, to keep condensation down, which creates a drier healthier nest environment… it also helps to keep mite numbers down.. you could definitely drill the gourds, but I would catch the plastic shavings , on the inside, with a rag or something ...

Great shot! 40 to 50 yards! Those long shots are tough due to pellet drop. Nice job!
Rob

Jones, you can find aging development of Martin chicks photos and images charts online… just match up your photos to the chart and you can get a fairly good idea of their ages.. I think pmca has a age development chart as well.. great groups of chicks! Healthy!
Rob

Use the 5% sevin dust. If you don’t have mites, but want to use for prevention, put a small amount…I use about 1/8 to 1/4 of tsp.. no more than that is needed.. put it UNDER the nest, on the sides or front, not the back (since that is where the young chicks spend most of their time), and smear it ar...

Hi michell… I hope your visitors make your housing their new home for many years to come…
Best of luck !
Rob

Good choice Thomas. My martins like the troyer supers.. very good gourds.. just fyi, The tunnel entrances for the troyers give the martins a deeper compartment, and protect from wind blown rain.. I have them on all my troyer supers…
Good luck
Rob

Cool photo… interesting big Martin house!
Rob

Great job on the venting.! you’re making it much better for your martins.. one other thing you could consider. If you’re getting jumpers, it could be due to mites… with all the heat , humidity, and un vented gourds, mites could be an issue.. if you haven’t treated with sevin dust, it wouldn’t hurt t...

Nice photo! It is funny , how they can have different personalities and behaviors.. enjoy the entertainment !
Rob

Your martins should be allright, even in the heat, if you vent the caps. Use the extra caps you have, drill a 1 inch size hole with a paddle bit or 1 inch hole saw bit. Screw in the elbow vents (get the threaded kind) , then seal well around, where you screwed it in, with caulk .. you can get the pv...

Sure thing! P.S. when it’s cold when they first arrive you can plug the vents with foam insulation or anything that works.
Rob

Understandable mistake sir.. but the answer would be the same.. vent the caps with pvc elbow vents, if you can, for now.. then in off-season, add 2 vents in each gourd, for best ventilation.. in the Deep South it’s so hot and humid …as we know!.... good ventilation really helps..
good luck,
Rob

Yep. Looks like a grackle or starling.. yellow beak makes me think starling..
Rob

Just to add to what everyone said.. I have troyer supergourds with tunnel entrances.. I have 2 , 1 inch pvc elbow vents (as Tom described) in each gourd. One in the cap and one in the back , right below the neck… the 2 vents really help to keep temps and moisture down, inside the gourd.. nests were ...