Newbie question re: Troyer Horizontal Gourds

[LOUISIANA88]

I'm new to purple martins, and this will be my first year trying to establish a colony. I recently purchased a Delux gourd rack with 8 Troyer Horizontals. I've read on previous posts that ventilation is important with these gourds. I read about a couple methods... drilling holes in the upper back portion of the gourd, or putting Pvc pipe vents. Being that the SY birds should be arriving here in Louisiana soon, I may not have an abundance of time to get my gourd rack up. I was thinking about just drilling some holes at an upward angle on the upper back portion of the gourd. What size drill bit should I use? I don't want the holes to be too big and have rain water enter... however I want the holes big enough to provide adequate ventilation. Any recommendations? Thanks for the help!

Louisiana88

[jcassiday]

I have 8 THGs . All have vents that I installed. Purchase a 3/4 inch PVC street ell, 3/4 inch plug and a tube of silicone calking. On the back side towards the top of the gourd drill a 1 inch hole, dope the street ell with the calking and screw it in to the1inch hole. if you have a Troyer catalog he has pictures showing this vent and also sells the parts. I purchased my parts from Loews which is much less expense than Troyer. The hole can be drilled with a spade bit or hole saw, I prefer the hole saw.

I live in east central Iowa and we have some rather hot summers with high humility. Two years ago my baby birds we wringing wet with condensate, last year all of my gourds were dry and not problems with wet nest. I tried to change nest due the wetness and caused the birds to fledge early. Disinterest year, but did recover last year with four pair and fledged sixteen.

I highly recommend the vents, from experience. Have a great season

Jerry Cassiday

[LOUISIANA88]

Thanks Jerry, I appreciate the advice. Good luck to you this season also!

[Steve Kroenke]

I have many Troyer Horizontal gourds and all are vented. It is important to vent these gourds as heat/humidity can build-up inside. I have used two methods and both work well for my location in northwest Louisiana.

The easiest method is to drill two holes at an angle downward under each of the canopies on the back of the Troyer Horizontal gourd. I have used both 1/4 and 3/8 inch diameter holes and the 3/8 inch diameter provides a little more air flow. I now use the 3/8 inch diameter hole.

The other method takes a little more time. I also use two 90 degree 3/4 inch PVC elbows in the upper back of my Troyer Horizontal gourds. This method works well, too and I often remove debris from inside the elbow indicating that air is flowing out.

I would recommend that you vent your Troyer Horizontal gourds as you are well aware of how hot/humid Louisiana is!

Steve

[LOUISIANA88]

Thanks a bunch Steve! Great info here. And yes.... It gets very hot here in Louisiana!