Anyone noticed the new housing......

[Matt F.]

There is a new house being offered at the PMCA store:
Click here for new model at the PMCA store

Hopefully we'll be able to get some feedback soon, from folks who use this setup.

[James Johnson]

I looked briefly. I am still recovery from sticker shock. With the inflated prices of fuel and Martin Housing it is fortunant that Martins have their own transportation system and gourds grow on vines.

[Flopass]

Preeeeeeeeetty! Thank god I have an Alamo House that already fills this longing. Plastic vs. Aluminum though is a pretty hard choice. I suppose if I had it to over again I'd choose this new plastic. The cavaties seem to much bigger on the plastic house. I bet the insulation is better too. Just my 2 cents.

[Guest]

With all the preaching that goes on about SREH's, why does it seem that most ad's picturing new houses all have round holes???

[Flopass]

its actually pictured with both
smart advertizing

[flyin-lowe]

With all the preaching that goes on about SREH's, why does it seem that most ad's picturing new houses all have round holes???

The SREH is important if you have an area with starlings. However people who don't have to battle starling will stick with the round holes as it does allow PM's to enter and exit housing faster. So in the event of a hawk attack the round holes can save a martin trying to get away.

[Robbo]

They also sell T-14's, I mean North Star Plastic's and manufacturing builds I guess you would say TH-14's? That is a good idea pretty pricey though. I wonder about the insulation factor, if it was as good or better than wood ?
Rob.

[Guest]

That looks great but WOW!! Maybe in a few yrs for me.

[tonyg]

Sticker shock!!!!!! I'll stick to my gourds..nice house though.

[John Miller]

Nice looking house. I'd have to examine one to see if I really like it...I probably would.

These prices...they are high but much of our better martin housing is made in the USA and Canada in modest quantities.

John M

[James Johnson]

The Amish are genuinely good people and are skilled in many crafts but IMHO most, like their openly modernized countrymen, tend to overprice everything they produce. The unpainted wooden Martin Houses are no exception. They are overpriced. But then so are domestically marketed PM houses (pieces and parts, some assembly required) some of which are fashioned or stamped off-shore. Now before some I- know-more-then-you (and there are many who do) sets out to name my ancestry, I have the experience, skill, tools, and access to materials to replicate any wooden or metal PMH on the market. I know by experience that when ALL time and expense is considered, a six cavity wooden Martin House can be completed (including paint) in less time and for less money than six natural gourds. That may not be true with the mass produced plastic gourds compared to mass produced wooden houses.
Now that I have said my piece, I have to go put the third coat of white elastomeric roof coating on six natural gourds. They have to completely dry and get a coat of white acrylic before going into service. I currently have 18 of these home-grown/naturally cured gourds with carved excluder entrances, metal roofs, and 4” inspection caps in the air. I hope to get these others flying for SY arrivals.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Overpriced, or good buy. It all depends if you are buying or selliing....

[Robbo]

I bought one and had it shipped here , Iam not even going to comment on the price . I did buy the Troyer's plans however with every intention of building and selling a few to recoup my investment. I cannot build a T-14 out of Cedar for less. I would think one could? I enjoyed building the T-14/nest trays and traps and I will probably build more. I cannot stop .
Rob.

[JamesinIA]

So Rob, what do you think of the new house. It looks like it should be pretty strong and light weight. Do you think it will be warm enough for your early arrivals?

I hope you increase your colony and have a great season!

James

[Robbo]

James,
Sorry, I meant a T-14. I was just replying to the cost of the Amish built house.

[AllenH]

I just built a T-14 out of Canadian 1x12x12 Clear Red Cedar. This is a grade better than what was used in my 2 purchased houses from PMCA. I purchased the hardware from the same sources they used.

I have just a few cents under $400.00 into the new one. 1x12x12's were $61.00 each. The boards were NOT the easily found glued up boards made from strips. This cost doesn't include the labor and other shop costs etc. I have a fully equipped cabinet shop. I even routed all the Conley II holes in the fronts and recesed them 3/8" from the backside.

I figure all I really saved was the shipping costs of a built T-14. I also don't include the time it takes to build at my pace, but it was fun.

I had to say something so others realize they are very expensive to build out of Western Red Cedar. They are light and with a little care last a very long time.

Al

[Robbo]

Thanks Allen,
That is what I was trying to say, but if you build it youself you get something more .
Rob.