My colony numbers and eggs in Iowa
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Although the number of pairs is the same as last year, the egg count is great. I have heard that the numbers a slightly down this year around the midwest. This is the first year that my colony has not grown. Last year I had 42 pair, this year I also have 42 nesting pairs. The egg count is 215. The goards have an average of 5.25 eggs. The metal houses, (with modified depth of one foot), have an average of 5 eggs. One goard has 7 eggs and one metal house has 7 eggs. My hope is that at least 200 fledge successfully; giving over a 90% success rate.
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Dan Clodfelter
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:25 pm
- Location: Indiana/Brazil
Dave , these are great numbers ! I know from my own Colony that when you get that many numbers , it does get a little overwhelming . My last count was 420 and I was waiting for the heat to break before I did another nest check . I believe to have now around 600 eggs . When you get a larger colony it is work to take care of them but they are like kids to me and I enjoy them . Have a Great Year !
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Hi Dan,
I'm much like you in the sense that I wait for any heat or bad weather to pass before doing an egg count. What I find interesting is the variety of nest building styles; mud dams to few leaves for egg laying or deep depression.
The mud dams are usually only found in my metal houses.
I'm much like you in the sense that I wait for any heat or bad weather to pass before doing an egg count. What I find interesting is the variety of nest building styles; mud dams to few leaves for egg laying or deep depression.
The mud dams are usually only found in my metal houses.