Dead martin with babies

[jaytee]

Let me start by saying that I was a previous member here but for some reason my email address could not be found so I had to reregister. This has been the worst morning since I've been a Martin landlord for the past 15 years or so. While trying to shoot a house sparrow a Martin flew out of its nest right into the shotgun blast and did not make it. My dilemma is there are two nests on that side of the house and they are both full of brand-new babies. I'm not exactly sure which hole she flew out of. I've sat and watched for adults to enter the nests and they have but I've only seen one at a time so I can't determine which nest is now a single parent nest. I don't want to move the babies from the wrong nest to another nest is my concern. It was an adult male.

[Kyler]

So sorry that happened!

Kyler,

[jaytee]

I posted pics before I was able to I.D it as an adult male and I've since removed the pics.

[ToyinPA]

If the female is still there she will continue to feed her chicks. Altho she will be stretched thin since she has no mate to help. You may consider supplemental feeding to help her out.

Toy in PA

[jaytee]

She is still there. What should I use, crickets?

[Okie]

jayvee
Soooo Sorry that happened. I know you feel horrible.
Good luck with saving those babies.

[ToyinPA]

She is still there. What should I use, crickets?

Yes or meal worms (smash the heads first).

Good luck

Toy in PA

[jaytee]

I have a bumper crop of japanese beetles, could I use those if I mash em up first?

[Kyler]

I have heard of Purple Martins eating Japanese Beetles! So I would think yeah that's fine! I can't remember where I heard that! I think it was on a YouTube video! See what other people say!!
Good luck!!!


Kyler,

[jaytee]

Called the pet stores and holy cow, I need to get into the cricket business. 12 cents a piece for them little critters. Guess I'm going to get some meal worms instead. Is there any secrets to feeding them, other then smashing the heads like someone said earlier?

[Kyler]

A supplemental martin feeder! Which can be purchased on the PMCA shop! I have a quad feeder but I still haven't set it up! And tried it!

Another way! What type of house do you have? Because the lone star brand has a perfect inclosed porch area that you could put mealworms in and the martins will get them their! I also learn that trick from YouTube!!

Kyler,

[jaytee]

These are going to have to be fed directly as they are probably less then a week old, no feathers yet. If I put a bunch of meal worms in the nest box will the female use these to feed? The house is your standard 12 compartment aluminum two story thats been converted to 6 deep compartments.

[Kyler]

Yeah that's what I was talking about! She will probably take the mealworms and give them to her young and plus for her self!
That is the type of houses I have! So you can't feed them directly on the porch! I don't think it would be a issue to put them in the compartment! I think she would take them and feed them!! Goodluck!!

Kyler,

[daveh]

Go to your nearest department store and buy dried meal worms. I get 17.6 oz packages for not much money. About 11000-12000 worms in each package, rehydrate and place close to nest. She might use to feed.

I have my birds trained to go to a feeder station to get meal worms, oyster shell, and pine straw. I've gone thru 5-6 of those large packages of worms. They really don't need them now, plenty of flying insects, but I think it helps the parents out some. Ihave 3 nests that have 8 babies in each and those parents are down at the station a lot. The rest of my colony, Ihave 60-65 pair, with 4-6 babies each are using it also. Bluebirds andtree swallows also use the station. Get your birds trainedtogo to a feeder station. Make your life less stressful.

dave

[jaytee]

Well I got a package of the dehydrated mealworms and I'll rehydrate some and place them in the compartment with the birds and see if she uses them.