Gourd Replacement

[jcassiday]

Is it possible to replace a gourd with a different (clean) one. I want be prepared since my gourds are not vented. Babies are three weeks old temp and humity are almost equal 90 degrees. It would be easier to swap gourd than replace the nest, I could also replace with a ventilated gourd.
Thanks for your help.
Jerry
One pair
5 eggs
5 hatchlings

[BW Fowler]

This should be OK. Ideally you want the new gourd to be identical to the old gourd, as much as possible. The new nesting material will help rid the nest of mites and the vents will help with the heat and humidity. You also may want to think about providing shade. One of Louise's recent posts addresses this.

Good luck!
BW

[John Miller]

Not sure how much it helps, but I have several old lids into which I put very large one inch diameter (inside diameter) (outside 1 1/4) PVC elbows and sometimes swap lids in a heat wave. You also can put a small PVC elbow in a lid -- ideally maybe should be higher, but in the lid can help give cross ventilation.

As BW said, shade may be best answer to heat, but venting probably helps.

John M

[Louise Chambers]

With nestlings three weeks old, you don't have much time to make changes - they can fledge at 26 days, some stay in the nest a few days longer. I think it's quicker and less stressful for the birds to add shade above gourds at this stage, and if you had extra lids and could switch to one with a vent added, as John Miller describes, that would be beneficial too.

We don't worry too much about heat unless temps are going to be above 95 and going to stay there several days. Looking at your 10 day forecast, you should be okay as is.

[jcassiday]

Thanks for your input. Did nest check and found mites. Nest was fine babies were fine and growing., I put 1/4 test.,of seven in the nest.mthe mites were on the outside of the gourd lid. Did not see many inside. Since this is my successful hatch I am some what over protrctive.