First Babies of 2017

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Kyler
Posts: 899
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
Location: Colby, Kansas
Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -

Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.

ASY pairs nest 1 egg left 5 babies. Now we will see if we can get passed the Heat. Last year I had a nest that just hatched which had Six Babies then the next Nest Check we were down to 2 babies from the heat.

Image

Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA

2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Kyler,
Those are some healthy looking hatchlings. With the changes you have made in your Trio houses, I believe you are going to have a great year in spite of the heat.
You can be an inspiration for all of the landlords who need to insulate and ventilate their houses or gourd.

The vents from Vent Masters you recommended and I ordered are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. I am ready to install them onto the Trio doors and get them onto nesting compartments susceptible to heat.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Kyler,
The extra vented Trio Doors will only be used in the hot summer when temperatures rise above 90 degrees F.
In the early spring when eggs are susceptible to cold spells I will be using doors with 1/4" dense extruded foam board insulation on the inside of the doors (including covering the two small vents in the top outer corners).
I want my Trio house to be adaptable for both the cold springs and hot summers.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Kyler,
With the insulated attic and vented compartments in your Trio houses, I anticipate that your martin eggs and nestlings will be fine in spite of the 98-100 degrees F, sunny and low wind conditions forecast for the next 2 days in Colby, KS.
All of your hard and tedious off season work is going to pay off this season. How many years of successful martin fledges in your Trio houses do you expect from your time and investment? How many other martin landlords will you positively influence?
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
Kuemic
Posts: 176
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:17 pm
Location: Topeka, KS
Martin Colony History: 2015 1 pair, 2 eggs destroyed by HOSP
2016 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 46
2017 1 pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 14
2018 daily visitors, HOSP 12
2019 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 14
2020 1pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 17
2021 2 pair, 7 fledged, HOSP 21
2022 3 pair, 12 fledged, HOSP 18
2023 8 pair, 35 fledged, HOSP 16
2024 13 pair, 55 fledged, HOSP 11

Beautiful, healthy babies! Bet they'll be fine with the vented cavities!

Michelle
Michelle in Topeka
Top
Martinfarmer
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
Location: Guthrie KY 42234
Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.

I have a question concerning temps. I have placed venting elbows on my vertical Troyer gourds. Will the baby chicks be ok in ninety plus temperatures?
I also have wooden boxes that I built. I don't think they will be a problem, they are vented and shaded most of the day.
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Martinfarmer,
Your babies will be fine. First, you selected to use a quality product, Troyer Vertical Gourds and second, you vented the gourds so that air can circulate through the gourd from the entrance to exhaust out of the vent placed at the top of the gourd and/or on the gourd's lid. That will reduce the inside temperature of the gourd and prevent moisture from building up in the gourd.

Over time, you need to watch for wallowing out of the hole where the gourd hangs on the hanging rod. If rain runs down the hanging rod into the gourd then moisture build up can become excessive. But that wallowed hole takes time. Be aware and watchful for that problem.
Other gourd owners have used PVC or copper pipe to seal up the hole and stop water leakage into the gourds.

May we could see one of your wood boxes?
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
Martinfarmer
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
Location: Guthrie KY 42234
Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.

Thanks for the reply Mark. I will watch the four super gourds that i have up. I drilled out the hole larger and pressed in a piece of cpvc that fits just right over the gourd hanger. Time will tell how long it lasts. The martins love the super gourd with the Troyer tunnel installed on them.
I will post a few photos if I can figure how to . Sorry, I guess I'm not too tech savvy.
Top
Kyler
Posts: 899
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
Location: Colby, Kansas
Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -

Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.

Mark,
Those are my exact plans for this offseason. I want to take all my extra doors and Insulate them so when they arrive I can have them on. If you saw my Snow Storm that came through. I think I would be safer just doing it. I didn't lose any birds but I was pretty darn close.

Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA

2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
Top
Kyler
Posts: 899
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
Location: Colby, Kansas
Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -

Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.

MartinFamer,
I have never used Troyer Gourds but I came up with a gourd that looks pretty much like them. But anyways I think the Vertical Gourds ventilate really well. With you adding PVC 90's would just help even more. My replica of the Vertical Gourd has a PVC 90 in the upper neck of the gourd as well.

Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA

2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
Top
DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

One summer I had 2 nests that had no daytime high under 90 and something like 20 over 95 with 10 being over 100 and no loses due to heat. Trios are great at preventing heat loses.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Andrew (DornCounty),
Between your personal colony and the Parson, KS Public Colony, you have the most experience with Trio houses.
What modification to the Trio houses do you recommend to reduce loss of martins due to the heat?
Too many modifications would be impractical for the number of houses that you have to maintain.
The average high temperature in Parsons, KS during July is 90 degrees F.

I hope you do not have 111-113 degrees F that central Texas has on rare occasions.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Martinfarmer,
You are way ahead of me. You have the gourd hanger holes sealed with CPVC pipe already. I assume that will last a lifetime.

Kyler,
Vent Masters vents arrived yesterday. The 2" vents are not going to work on the keyhole entrances. The keyhole entrances are bigger and have gaps in the lower outer corners.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
Kyler
Posts: 899
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
Location: Colby, Kansas
Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -

Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.

Mark,
What about the ones without the keyhole. Just the traditional 2 inch hole entrance. Do you have any of those doors?

Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA

2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
Top
DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

4th Gen Martin Fan wrote:Andrew (DornCounty),
Between your personal colony and the Parson, KS Public Colony, you have the most experience with Trio houses.
What modification to the Trio houses do you recommend to reduce loss of martins due to the heat?
Too many modifications would be impractical for the number of houses that you have to maintain.
The average high temperature in Parsons, KS during July is 90 degrees F.

I hope you do not have 111-113 degrees F that central Texas has on rare occasions.

I have literally done nothing to modify trios for heat. I can't think of one instance I can confirm loss due to heat. No jumpers, no dehydrated young. Now, we don't get as hot as central TX. We are much more humid than West KS, so maybe that helps with bug supplies, but one of the reasons I like the Trio is the way it handles heat.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Kyler,
I do not have any of the older, round hole Trio doors. The round hole Trio doors are 2" diameter so they should be ideal for the 2" vents. MattF says they work well.
I remember that you have some so you can give them a try.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
Martinfarmer
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
Location: Guthrie KY 42234
Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.

Martinfarmer wrote:Thanks for the reply Mark. I will watch the four super gourds that i have up. I drilled out the hole larger and pressed in a piece of cpvc that fits just right over the gourd hanger. Time will tell how long it lasts. The martins love the super gourd with the Troyer tunnel installed on them.
I will post a few photos if I can figure how to . Sorry, I guess I'm not too tech savvy.
Top
Martinfarmer
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
Location: Guthrie KY 42234
Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.

4th Gen Martin Fan wrote:Martinfarmer,
Your babies will be fine. First, you selected to use a quality product, Troyer Vertical Gourds and second, you vented the gourds so that air can circulate through the gourd from the entrance to exhaust out of the vent placed at the top of the gourd and/or on the gourd's lid. That will reduce the inside temperature of the gourd and prevent moisture from building up in the gourd.

Over time, you need to watch for wallowing out of the hole where the gourd hangs on the hanging rod. If rain runs down the hanging rod into the gourd then moisture build up can become excessive. But that wallowed hole takes time. Be aware and watchful for that problem.
Other gourd owners have used PVC or copper pipe to seal up the hole and stop water leakage into the gourds.

May we could see one of your wood boxes?
Attachments
IMG_1982.JPG
IMG_1982.JPG (47.23 KiB) Viewed 10656 times
Top
Martinfarmer
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
Location: Guthrie KY 42234
Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.

Mark, I just got a new iPhone and discovered it takes square pictures that load with no problem.
Top
Martinfarmer
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
Location: Guthrie KY 42234
Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.

Kyler wrote:MartinFamer,
I have never used Troyer Gourds but I came up with a gourd that looks pretty much like them. But anyways I think the Vertical Gourds ventilate really well. With you adding PVC 90's would just help even more. My replica of the Vertical Gourd has a PVC 90 in the upper neck of the gourd as well.

Kyler,
I think the vent placed around the neck of the vertical gourd is a little better idea than in the lids .
My lids are a little cumbersome with the elbow placed in them. I saw photos posted here on the forum with vents on the necks and they look like they will work great.
So my Next set of gourds will have neck vents.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”