Question about gourds

[Bill Pec]

Bert,
The maximum diameter round rod that will fit through the square mounting hole on the Bo-11 is 3/8 inches unless you drill the hole to a larger diameter. The gourds will swing from side to side using a round hanger which I have no problem with. I don't have a gourd rack so my my Bo-11 gourds are mounted under my Trendsetter House on Hilltop universal gourd hanging arms. Assuming you will be using a venting cap rain getting into the mounting hole is not a problem. The water will drip down the inside or the vent cap and run down the outside of the gourd.
The Bo-11 gourds are my favorites.
Bill

[Tim Stover]

like bill stated the gourds swing side to side mine are mounted on 3/8 round if you try to let them swing front to back on round rod they stay tilted foward to much i tried this

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

The problem of gourds tilting always exist if the gourds swing side to side. If anything changes, like adding a tunnel, the gourd swing will be way out of balance. It even happens on natural gourds, you can have them perfectly balanced, and if you add the access cap, they will be out of balance and they will tilt.

This is a very good reason for doing 2 things:
1)Hang the gourds so that they do not swing. You can use square rods into a square hole, use threaded rods with washers and nuts, mine are on conduit pipe and pvc and I pin them, there are no-rocker arms available, etc.
2)Or you can balance them after you have added all the tunnels, access caps etc, and then drill the hanging holes. By drilling the hanging holes last, sometimes you can balance them perfectly. Another excellent option is to redrill the new holes at a different (balanced) place, and caulk up the old hole, I have done this many times.

I might add this but you probably know it, its best to think FIRST how your hanging arms are made, and then choose a gourd that fits that method. You may even consider a pole with arms that fits the gourds that you have. Or modify the hanging arms and gourds so that they will fit. I wish that all the mfg companies would get together and develop a standard method. I have the tools and can modify all of them, but most people do not have that available, its difficult if you don't know how to do it.

[Scully]

Since the very beggining of our school colony we have been comparing gourd styles and using the success rates as a basis for science projects. Albeit on a smaller scale than the Super landlords here (we have had just forty gourds per year).

We have used Supergourds, Naturelines, round-hole little Carrol gourds, natural gourds, tiny Bo gourds and Big Bo gourds.

We have yet to notice any consistent difference between them in occupancy or fledging rates. I will say that owl predation has not yet been a problem where we are.

PER DOLLAR my hands-down favorite gourd is the Big Bo by S&K. However, if I had to use just one style it would be the Supergourd with Sandy Bunn's modified excluder entrance.

This year we are in the fortunate position of putting up a total of thirteen new martin gourd poles, including our own school and at ten new locations around the school district.

We are providing each new site with twelve gourds: Four Modified Excluder gourds, four Horizontal Troyers, and four Big Bo gourds. The Modified Excluder gourds were chosen as they are essentially Supergourd equivalents (the Supergourd is not sold with modified excluder entrances).

The Big Bo gourds were chosen to demonstrate a workable, low cost alternative to those who want to buy housing for the first time.

The Horizontal Troyers were chosen based upon testimony here, and because of my own high regard for Andy Troyer (though we have never met).

One drawback I have noted with the Horizontal Troyer though is that, of all the gourd styles we have used, these Troyers are the least amenable to being hung "just anywhere". They appear to need a horizontal rod, ideally of 3/8" diameter, to be hung from.

Mike Scully

P.S. The Bo-11 is indeed a phenomenal gourd.

[KathyF]

Bert - I also have Troyer Horizontals and Troyer verticals - John M. wasn't blowing smoke when he said he thinks his martins preferred the troyers (at least here for MO). I actually made notes last year - my martins actually filled up my Troyer horizontals WITH the Conley 2 entrances before they filled up the house and other gourds with round holes.

I'm not sure why - maybe they *knew* (somehow) that the Conley 2 entrances would protect them. That is another reason I love the Troyers, is the Conley 2 entrance. It won't allow the starlings in, yet provides the martin easy access when hawks, etc. are in the area.

Anyway, regardless of the gourd you choose, my advice would be to absolutely purchase a strong pole. The 2x2" or 3x3" aluminum poles are the best and most reliable. If you don't have a strong pole, it doesn't matter what gourds you have - you'll be asking for trouble.

[Virgil McCoy]

Natureline II gourds with cresent entrances and porches are what I have currently and purchased two new gourd varieties this off season (S&K BO-11P's and Troyer Horizontals) to compliment them. In my opinion only, the Troyer Horizontals are head and shoulders above better in total design !

[KathyF]

By the way - as for "Made in America" (Missouri), the last time I checked the box for the housing (4 yrs ago - didn't check the gourds at that time), the label said "Made in China". Maybe that has changed in the last 4 yrs, but I am a strong advocate of supporting 100% American-made products/ companies.

And here's an interesting factoid that I learned on the Discovery Channel: To qualify for the label of "Made in the USA", only 70% of the parts have to come from the USA. The other 30% can come from overseas. Interesting, isn't it?

[Virgil McCoy]

Troyer Horizontals in my opinion are the safest, most user friendly (right out of the box), designed gourd by far !!! They can be easily modified for ventilation in half the time it takes to put together a BO-11P (which I also own). I sound like a salesman for the Troyer Horizontal but I simply cannot say enough about the design ! No sharpe edges, seamless, light, easily cleaned, easy accessible, low profile, access ports are large, secure, and doesn't shake the hole gourd when opened, rubber walk for birds into gourd, "JUST AN AWESOME DESIGN" !!!

[Guest]

Wow, decisions, decisions. Boy I sure wish I was quick at making decisions. Unfortunately I teeter-totter back and forth quite often (too often). I sure hope this won't take me as long as buying my first HD TV, or else I'll be looking to next year . You know it's sad when sometimes I think too many choices isn't necessarily a good thing.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the help. As I mentioned before, I'm sure any of them would probably work just fine. One thing I do know is the heat and humidity down here in southeast Louisiana can get brutal really quick. Any edge I can give the martins will help I'm sure. I'll figure it out, hopefully .

Thanks again,
Bert

[Bill Pec]

Bert,
So who says we need to come to a discission on which type of gourd to purchase? No crime in selecting two our more brands that were highly recommended. Don't fret and take the easy way out-- order a variety.
Enjoy the passion!
Bill

[Guest]

Thanks Bill. I was thinking that, and will probably end up going that route.

Bert

[KathyF]

Bert,
So who says we need to come to a discission on which type of gourd to purchase? No crime in selecting two our more brands that were highly recommended. Don't fret and take the easy way out-- order a variety.
Enjoy the passion!
Bill

Bill - spot on, perfect advice! Dang, you're good!

Bert - living where you live (I was born & raised in LA), I understand what you're saying about the heat & humidity, so venting IS important for you.

One of my mentees bought the Bo-11's and he really likes the way they vent. The only thing he doesn't like about them (that I can recall at this moment) is the snap-on, snap-off lid. So, weigh the pros & cons of each!

Good luck!