This is my new Hybrid multi house unit, the trio on the right started my colony in 2008
This is my coates watersedge house it never did very well until I added the 2 gourd underneath
This is my t-14 unit I put up in 1996, it's been rebuilt 50%
This is a homebuilt rack from PMCA plans, it's the #1 martin favorite and is 100% full as it was last season.
This is another home built rack from PMCA modified to fit 2 trios at center
This 18 deluxe rack sits in the back yard, testing the owl cage this year.
these 2 units are in the back yard, it's the 3rd year for the t-14 and finally have some takers.
Matt, I never had a problem with owls that I know of. I know they are out there though because I hear them calling sometimes. They say owls are everywhere so I wanted some protection in place if a problem does start.
The 2x4 wire works good on the metal houses, they fold down for nest checks. The little guard on the AAA rack is made of 2x3 plastic coated fence wire, it's light in weight but BENDS very easily, the wire itself is very strong, I ran a test to determine how strong it is by placing a 60lb bag of cement into a plastic bucket then hooking the handle to a single cross wire, the wire supported the 60lbs even when I shook ii up and down but was severely bent out of shape.So what I will try is make an interior loop out of stiff wire so it won't squash together and flatten during an owl attack. All the other wire guards and cages were made with stiffer 2x4 wire.
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Very very nice setup Ray. Lots of variety for the martins to choose from. Signs of a good landlord..
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
Ray, you are Delaware's test pilot for PUMA housing! Glad to see your T14 getting some action as mine had one pair in 2008 and none since! In fact, this year I did have an adult pair take up a gourd hanging below but they moved over to the Gemini. I think I might have to change my backyard attire to black pants, long sleeve white shirt, suspenders and a straw hat to lure some in.
CMF
In my many years I have come to a conclusion that
one useless man is a shame,
two is a law firm and
three or more is a congress.-- John Adams
LOL Chuck, that might work for you, but more likely up here around Dover.
Thanks everyone for the nice comments on my site, didn't even give it a thought that I had so much variety in my housing, it seems to be working though, what one martin doesn't want the others will take.
Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
I forgot to mention the trios on the multi house unit have the quick detach feature, I just pull the pin on the bolt and remove it then the house lifts off, Diane has instructions on her web site. I mounted the houses at an angle to each other so it forms a slight v
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