Hello, New in Forum. & Pictures of my DIY Rack.

[Conrad Baker]

You can get some small diameter white plastic similar to pvc (but it's flexible) to go over the all- thread rod. I bought some at home depot, and it comes in 10 foot lengths, but it is rolled up. Cut it with a pair of snips to the right size, and slide it over the threaded rod. Secure it by using a washer and nut on the end of the rod. It will protect their feet while perched on it.

[Carrera Mike]

Tunnels installed, & numbered

[Phil Spitler]

Looks good mike before u put them up sprinkle a little bit of 7 dust in the bottom of the gourds an out pine straw in each gourd the females will be drawn in my birds love it for some reason the don't they will pull it out I have a pair that pulls it out every year an builds a mud an stick nest lol I tried one year half with pine straw half without and the half with got the ones with straw

[David sh]

I think your rack looks great. Good job. I too like to custom make my racks but my wife prefers the look of wood so that's what we have.

My only suggestion would be to cap off the top of your pole if you have not planned to already. Assuming you leave it erect in the winter, rain water that gets trapped inside can freeze and split the metal pole. I'm speaking from past experience here. It is amazing the force that freezing water can produce. Your soil may let the water drain through but ours here in parts of Bama does not. Maybe better safe than sorry.

[Carrera Mike]

You can get some small diameter white plastic similar to pvc (but it's flexible) to go over the all- thread rod. I bought some at home depot, and it comes in 10 foot lengths, but it is rolled up. Cut it with a pair of snips to the right size, and slide it over the threaded rod. Secure it by using a washer and nut on the end of the rod. It will protect their feet while perched on it.

Thanks Conrad! I will surely look for those plastic/pvc tubes.

[Carrera Mike]

Looks good mike before u put them up sprinkle a little bit of 7 dust in the bottom of the gourds an out pine straw in each gourd the females will be drawn in my birds love it for some reason the don't they will pull it out I have a pair that pulls it out every year an builds a mud an stick nest lol I tried one year half with pine straw half without and the half with got the ones with straw

Thanks Phil! Sure will do that. Where do you get your Sevin dusts? Internet or any of our local stores have it?

[Carrera Mike]

I think your rack looks great. Good job. I too like to custom make my racks but my wife prefers the look of wood so that's what we have.

My only suggestion would be to cap off the top of your pole if you have not planned to already. Assuming you leave it erect in the winter, rain water that gets trapped inside can freeze and split the metal pole. I'm speaking from past experience here. It is amazing the force that freezing water can produce. Your soil may let the water drain through but ours here in parts of Bama does not. Maybe better safe than sorry.

Thanks for pointing that out David. Surely will cap it.

[DebA]

Hello new Mike!

I have no metal skills so no advice there. I also give them a bed to start. I used cedar shavings. I was so glad I did. Not to mention how they felt last year. March and April were brutal with lows in the 20's. My birds survived. I passed out the hand warmers but didn't always get into the right compartments I'm sure. I had success with training my birds to accept flipped crickets and it was my number 1 fun thing I did the whole year. I also use Sevin dust at the beginning and after babies hatch.

Anyway, good luck this year! I will look forward to your posts.

Deb

[Phil Spitler]

I get my pine straw and seven dust at the Home Depot at edenburg

[Phil Spitler]

I get my pine straw and seven dust at the Home Depot at edenburg

[rrmartins]

I set my pole on a bed of rock I put in. This way it never has water sitting inside the pole. Hope you have a great year.

[AidanRois]

All great advice comin in at ya..

*I'll add to it a bit... VA usually gets pretty toasty in summer too right? I know it's H**l down here in MS. I have the exact same gourds and put the cooling caps on mine. It DEFINITELY made a difference, I'll never use an S&K without one.
*The tunnels were a smart choice. My guys love them and they give stretching room when babies are starting to stretch out.
*Everyone is right on pre-nesting. I was hesitant/afraid my first year, but once I did it the next time, they were quite happy with it, and nest building was much quicker. Every bird is different though lol, and I do have one girl that always insists on throwing half out, and redoing it her way.
*As far as Sevin goes, I go with a slight dusting under pre-nesting to help zap beasties which may've come home with them, and then after hatching or 10-12 days old depending on how the condition of the nest is. If the nest is not completely nasty and such as if I have a mite breakout, I'll dust a tiny bit back under the nesting and then do a quick wipedown with rubbing alcohol to get the visible mites crawling around on housing surfaces (since it dries almost instantly, I've not had issues. If this is wrong, please pros, let us know!). Otherwise if the nest is just unlivable and a mite explosion, I'll go with the complete nest change with a teeny bit underneath. Never (in my opinion) risk getting it into their airways, so I'll do the in-nest dusting with a tiny spoon slipped underneath nest, babies, and all, always the smallest amount effective. I usually go with about 1/8 tsp at a time. As far as purchasing, I found my can at Walmart in the garden center. And I believe it's the 5%. Keep in mind water rends Sevin ineffective, but don't rush to replace it every time it rains (in my opinion), cause at that point it's just 'over-medicating'.
*Which S&K house do you have? If you have the green roof/tan side 12 roomer, I got some good tips on fixing that thing up too.


This forum is the greatest place ever. You'll get great knowledge and make great friends in no time!

WELCOME!

[gussiemike]

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum. Love your set up. I did the same with one of my racks. I also have some big bo nines with tunnels. I cut the porches off of mine. I had to many young fall off of them. I added some tail props to my gourds and they work fine.
Good luck to you and all this year. I am still waiting for a scout. They are a little late this year. I am in Baton Rouge, La. More cold weather coming here.

[Carrera Mike]

Hello new Mike!

I have no metal skills so no advice there. I also give them a bed to start. I used cedar shavings. I was so glad I did. Not to mention how they felt last year. March and April were brutal with lows in the 20's. My birds survived. I passed out the hand warmers but didn't always get into the right compartments I'm sure. I had success with training my birds to accept flipped crickets and it was my number 1 fun thing I did the whole year. I also use Sevin dust at the beginning and after babies hatch.

Anyway, good luck this year! I will look forward to your posts.

Deb

Thanks for the tips Deb. appreciate it. sure will put some straws and cedar shavings. will the cedar shavings help deterring those pesky parasites?

[Carrera Mike]

I get my pine straw and seven dust at the Home Depot at edenburg

Thanks Phil! Appreciate that! Sure will get some sevin dust and mix with cedar shavings? good idea??

[Carrera Mike]

I set my pole on a bed of rock I put in. This way it never has water sitting inside the pole. Hope you have a great year.

good tip! Thanks. Ill do this on my next one im digging next week.

[Carrera Mike]

All great advice comin in at ya..

*I'll add to it a bit... VA usually gets pretty toasty in summer too right? I know it's H**l down here in MS. I have the exact same gourds and put the cooling caps on mine. It DEFINITELY made a difference, I'll never use an S&K without one.
*The tunnels were a smart choice. My guys love them and they give stretching room when babies are starting to stretch out.
*Everyone is right on pre-nesting. I was hesitant/afraid my first year, but once I did it the next time, they were quite happy with it, and nest building was much quicker. Every bird is different though lol, and I do have one girl that always insists on throwing half out, and redoing it her way.
*As far as Sevin goes, I go with a slight dusting under pre-nesting to help zap beasties which may've come home with them, and then after hatching or 10-12 days old depending on how the condition of the nest is. If the nest is not completely nasty and such as if I have a mite breakout, I'll dust a tiny bit back under the nesting and then do a quick wipedown with rubbing alcohol to get the visible mites crawling around on housing surfaces (since it dries almost instantly, I've not had issues. If this is wrong, please pros, let us know!). Otherwise if the nest is just unlivable and a mite explosion, I'll go with the complete nest change with a teeny bit underneath. Never (in my opinion) risk getting it into their airways, so I'll do the in-nest dusting with a tiny spoon slipped underneath nest, babies, and all, always the smallest amount effective. I usually go with about 1/8 tsp at a time. As far as purchasing, I found my can at Walmart in the garden center. And I believe it's the 5%. Keep in mind water rends Sevin ineffective, but don't rush to replace it every time it rains (in my opinion), cause at that point it's just 'over-medicating'.
*Which S&K house do you have? If you have the green roof/tan side 12 roomer, I got some good tips on fixing that thing up too.


This forum is the greatest place ever. You'll get great knowledge and make great friends in no time!

WELCOME!

Thanks Tiff! Im learning a lot from you guys appreciate it. Ill keep all this in mind. The house I have I the one with the green roof with 12 rooms. But as I mentioned moded it so theyre only half the rom but deeper ones.

[Carrera Mike]

any of you guys use this? maybe spray on the pre nesting straw. im sure itll probably evaporate in a couple of days :(

[AidanRois]

Thanks Tiff! Im learning a lot from you guys appreciate it. Ill keep all this in mind. The house I have I the one with the green roof with 12 rooms. But as I mentioned moded it so theyre only half the rom but deeper ones.

Ah, we've the same one. If you want, I've LOTS of tips on making that thing better. All mods worked so well, we had NO jumpers this last season, despite getting over 100* several days, with majority of heat being in the 90s. You've got a great start by doubling room size. That's essential for that house... I wish they'd do it from the factory.

[Carrera Mike]

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