Housing vs Gourds

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JimmyP
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:04 am
Location: Altamont Kansas
Martin Colony History: 2010-2016 12 cavities
2017 Added T-14 7 pair
2018 Added 12 Gourd rack

This will be my first year for my new 12 gourd rack, was wondering what everybody's opinion is if Martin's prefer gourds or housing?? I only have eight martin's now it seems about half and half.
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Ed Svetich-WI
Posts: 815
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.

50/50, just like your martins. Everyone will have their opinion. If your martins nest in both a house or a gourd, you have it covered. It is wise to give them options. The larger the cavity size the better along with all of the other things that you know you should do. Don't take any shortcuts.

Ed
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John & Linda - KY
Posts: 599
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
Location: Kentucky/Hawesville

Would you prefer an 800 ft sq apartment or a 1500 ft sq stand alone house? -- John
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2146
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

I provide both and they seem to enjoy both equally. I guess the most important thing is that the metal house compartments should all be modified to 12 inches deep instead of the 6x6x6.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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handyman315
Posts: 300
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
Location: SW Ohio
Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.

My gourds are easier to manage, but some of my Martins clearly like to nest in the apartment . . . and right now with this lingering cold, my lone ASY-M is spending lots of time (nights especially) in a second-floor apartment cavity.
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
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Otee977
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 8:42 am
Location: Prescott Ar

I’ve only had martins for 3 years , put up a small 6 room house got a pair , put up gourds and two more sunset inn houses last year and 18 gourd unit last year had 7 nesting pair , added a trendsetter house this year got about 30 spending each night now , they prefer the houses without a doubt at my place
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Dale D
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:11 am
Location: Orlando, Fl
Martin Colony History: Landlord since 2004

I started my colony with a house and the following year introduced gourds along with the house. I like giving martin's options since I have no idea when SY's show up if they were raised in a gourd or a house compartment so I have both bases covered.
Orlando, FL Landlord since 2004
Offer 42 Cavities Total
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Patrick W. Dusek
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:35 pm
Location: Sugar Land, Texas

I found out the hardway, SPARROWS love the houses. Did not offer a house last year, sparrow kills way down. No house up this year knock on wood, not a single sparrow yet!!!! Patrick in Sugar Land
Spring time yet???
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