Freezing weather in Southeast AR

[Two Gourds]

The Martins can't find food and will not take food from us. We put out eggs and shells but that didn't work. One fell out of the house; I tried to feed it but it died in my hand. We had three more that have disappeared. We don't know if they are dead or alive.

[CraigMo.]

Sorry about your losses.. I would suggest keep trying on feeding your martins to train them to eat from you. Once you teach them they remember every year. Again sorry you might of lost a few.
Craig

[pmartinlover2]

I'm so sorry TG. This is a weather catastrophe for our martins. Praying it changes quickly.
_____
Jody

[BIOteacher012]

Try putting some crickets on the porches or just inside the entrance of the gourd compartments. Even if they aren't trained to flipping yet....they may just eat enough to make it through by doing this. Mine ate this way last year.....from their porches and made it through. I plan to continue to flip as well this year until I get mine trained. However you do it.....as long as they eat something, you've accomplished your goal.

[Two Gourds]

We have tried crickets before and did not have any luck. If God blesses us and we get our Martins back, I'm going to get crickets. Also, when they all come back this spring, I'm going to flip crickets to try to train them for next year. My husband made me a sling shot for this.

[M.Stephens]

Two gourds you won't be able to train them later on in the year unless there are no flying insects available. Landlords supplemental feed only when there are no other insects available. I lost two birds this year to the weather....my female scout and a male. I'm glad that I don't have any more here now or they would probably perish as well.

This weather has been horrible in the south for returning scouts. I purchased over 2000 crickets earlier this year and put them in the freezer just in case this happened. My birds never came around in the daytime for me to feed. I placed crickets in the females roosting cavity...but I never saw her again.

[birdy girl]

Two Gourds,
You may have to toss many crickets before they decide to start eating. Yes some crickets will go to waste but you have to work with them when they are hungry and in desperate need of food. If you have a nearby Petsmart or similar store, you can purchase crickets there and order crickets to have on hand when needed. We always keep crickets in freezer. During summer occasionally we have to toss crickets when raining for several days. During Rainey days, many adults will carry crickets and scrambled eggs to their young and this helps them survive during times live insects aren't available. I do realize some just will not eat.

We lost our first 2 martins this year to cold weather or hawk predetation. If hawk got them, I think it still was due to their weakened state.

I hope they start eating very soon.

[BIOteacher012]

I agree with M Stephens. Get your order for crickets in now.....and place in a freezer. Then, you will be ready to try during this cold spell if more martins return. They will be much more likely to feed when stressed.