My first babies (5) hatched a week ago (5/24). I did a nest check today and have 83 babies and 63 eggs. Some pairs have not completed laying (2 or 3 eggs).
Thinking ahead, I don't want to scare the earlier hatched babies into jumping prematurely - by doing nest checks when they're getting ready to fledge.
What do you folks do about this situation?
thanks..
Fledging and nest checks
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Bob Fraser
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:39 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Camden
PMCA member
2011 - 8 pair
2012 - 31 pair full house no more room at the inn.
as of 5/31 83 babies 63 eggs. Wound up with 173 fledged.
2013 - 35 pair around 200 fledged.
2018 - 80 pairs 420 fledged
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
2011 - 8 pair
2012 - 31 pair full house no more room at the inn.
as of 5/31 83 babies 63 eggs. Wound up with 173 fledged.
2013 - 35 pair around 200 fledged.
2018 - 80 pairs 420 fledged
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hey Bob.
We've talked about this a lot. This is my opinion: Do regular nest checks. Every 4-5 days. This will familiarize the PM young to riding up and down the pole. Keep good records so you will know which young are 3 weeks of age or older. When checking the rack of gourds containing young of this age, be prepared. Get some rags to stuff in the entrance holes as soon as you lower the rack. Have a string tied to these rags so you can pull it after you have raised the rack back up. I even open the access cap on these older young, I peek inside but I never put my hand inside. I have learned the hard way that my hand may cause one of them to spook and start flapping and squawking and then the whole bunch could panic and somebody might get hurt. Best to keep everybody quiet.
You've got quite a few eggs and young. You're having a great season. Best wishes for many successful seasons in the future.
We've talked about this a lot. This is my opinion: Do regular nest checks. Every 4-5 days. This will familiarize the PM young to riding up and down the pole. Keep good records so you will know which young are 3 weeks of age or older. When checking the rack of gourds containing young of this age, be prepared. Get some rags to stuff in the entrance holes as soon as you lower the rack. Have a string tied to these rags so you can pull it after you have raised the rack back up. I even open the access cap on these older young, I peek inside but I never put my hand inside. I have learned the hard way that my hand may cause one of them to spook and start flapping and squawking and then the whole bunch could panic and somebody might get hurt. Best to keep everybody quiet.
You've got quite a few eggs and young. You're having a great season. Best wishes for many successful seasons in the future.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Bob Fraser
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:39 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Camden
Thanks Laverne..
I went from 5 babies to 83 babies in a week.... still have 63 eggs to hatch and more eggs to be laid.
I have 28 gourds on the Gemini - 12 of which currently have babies. The other 16 gourds either have a full complement of eggs or 1-4 eggs - 63 eggs total (wait, that was yesterday - more eggs/babies today, I'm sure).. (I have 3 gourds on another pole that all have babies).
It will be quite the circus with the rags/strings doing nest checks in 2 or 3 weeks.
Again, thanks for your suggestion...
I went from 5 babies to 83 babies in a week.... still have 63 eggs to hatch and more eggs to be laid.
I have 28 gourds on the Gemini - 12 of which currently have babies. The other 16 gourds either have a full complement of eggs or 1-4 eggs - 63 eggs total (wait, that was yesterday - more eggs/babies today, I'm sure).. (I have 3 gourds on another pole that all have babies).
It will be quite the circus with the rags/strings doing nest checks in 2 or 3 weeks.
Again, thanks for your suggestion...
PMCA member
2011 - 8 pair
2012 - 31 pair full house no more room at the inn.
as of 5/31 83 babies 63 eggs. Wound up with 173 fledged.
2013 - 35 pair around 200 fledged.
2018 - 80 pairs 420 fledged
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
2011 - 8 pair
2012 - 31 pair full house no more room at the inn.
as of 5/31 83 babies 63 eggs. Wound up with 173 fledged.
2013 - 35 pair around 200 fledged.
2018 - 80 pairs 420 fledged
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.