- Screenshot_20210201-221319(1)~3.png (454.11 KiB) Viewed 7146 times
Pics of housing
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Here are a couple pics of my housing. Sorry for the poor quality. I'm still trying to figure out the picture posting guidelines.
- Attachments
-
- Screenshot_20210201-221131(1).png (298.24 KiB) Viewed 7146 times
Stacy B.
-
Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. I like your gourd rack.
As for posting pictures I always make the size of them under 200kb. If I want to put two or three in the same post I'll make them smaller.
Good luck to you this year and keep the photos coming.
Coolwhips
As for posting pictures I always make the size of them under 200kb. If I want to put two or three in the same post I'll make them smaller.
Good luck to you this year and keep the photos coming.
Coolwhips
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Thanks Whippy!
I had to crop the heck out of my pics to make them fit! Not sure how to get the file size smaller another way?
Anyhow, my gourd rack is nice but heavy. I love the troyer gourds but the verticals are a heavy gourd. Especially for my s & k tri tel pole. The gourd arms are very lightweight (3/8" alum. 34" lg.) and they flex with the troyer gourds on them. I intend to upgrade the rack to something better later. And in time I plan on eventually phasing out the plastic house. It was a starter kit, and although the martins love it, I will continue to upgrade as I am financially able. Nice stuff costs! But the martins are worth it.
I had to crop the heck out of my pics to make them fit! Not sure how to get the file size smaller another way?
Anyhow, my gourd rack is nice but heavy. I love the troyer gourds but the verticals are a heavy gourd. Especially for my s & k tri tel pole. The gourd arms are very lightweight (3/8" alum. 34" lg.) and they flex with the troyer gourds on them. I intend to upgrade the rack to something better later. And in time I plan on eventually phasing out the plastic house. It was a starter kit, and although the martins love it, I will continue to upgrade as I am financially able. Nice stuff costs! But the martins are worth it.
Stacy B.
-
Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
Stacy,
When I have the photo up on my computer I go into tools and select sizing and just hit one of the size fields down and the other will auto populate. I'm using a Mac but it should be similar on a PC. You should be able to resize a photo without cropping it.
I have the S&K 16 gourd fountain rack with a 2 inch square pole. I've modified it over the last 5 years with the final modification being done yesterday. Have a look at that thread as my gourds were bouncing up and down like crazy in the wind. Like you I'm always looking for ways to make it better for the Martins.
Coolwhips
When I have the photo up on my computer I go into tools and select sizing and just hit one of the size fields down and the other will auto populate. I'm using a Mac but it should be similar on a PC. You should be able to resize a photo without cropping it.
I have the S&K 16 gourd fountain rack with a 2 inch square pole. I've modified it over the last 5 years with the final modification being done yesterday. Have a look at that thread as my gourds were bouncing up and down like crazy in the wind. Like you I'm always looking for ways to make it better for the Martins.
Coolwhips
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
I have a spare tri tel pole sitting around and decided to buy another s&k house for it. I have the troyer verticals,horizontals, and super gourds and the house is always filled first. The gourds under the house do make it difficult to lower and raise since they are right in my way I will probably phase them out next year.
Eventually the plastic on those gourd racks break down I have mine pieced together with adhesive. Keep an eye on it. For 20.00 they can be replaced every few years.
What size drill but did you drill the arms for the hitch pins? I need to do that still using zip ties and the plastic stars.
Eventually the plastic on those gourd racks break down I have mine pieced together with adhesive. Keep an eye on it. For 20.00 they can be replaced every few years.
What size drill but did you drill the arms for the hitch pins? I need to do that still using zip ties and the plastic stars.
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Ss martin,
Yes, my house fills up first as well. Although I have quite a few birds that go straight for my gourds so I like giving them the option.
The gourd arms and plastic hub come from s & k as a kit. My arms were pre drilled 1/8" in 2 places on the end of the arm. 1 directly behind the gourd and one in front to hold gourd in place and prevent any movement. I don't have it in front of me to tell you the exact locations on the gourd arm itself, but I can get you those measurements if you need.
I brought 1 arm with me to local big box store and found the right size hitch pins. Hope this helps.
Yes, my house fills up first as well. Although I have quite a few birds that go straight for my gourds so I like giving them the option.
The gourd arms and plastic hub come from s & k as a kit. My arms were pre drilled 1/8" in 2 places on the end of the arm. 1 directly behind the gourd and one in front to hold gourd in place and prevent any movement. I don't have it in front of me to tell you the exact locations on the gourd arm itself, but I can get you those measurements if you need.
I brought 1 arm with me to local big box store and found the right size hitch pins. Hope this helps.
Stacy B.
Stacy,
I have the same from s&k but it is several years old and didn’t have the pre drilled holes. It came with the plastic stars you push on the arms to keep the gourds on but they slide with age.
I have the same from s&k but it is several years old and didn’t have the pre drilled holes. It came with the plastic stars you push on the arms to keep the gourds on but they slide with age.
- Attachments
-
- 97E5C7FE-47D6-48DB-96E0-9873B88A12B3.jpeg (13.53 KiB) Viewed 7090 times
-
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.
Thanks Stacy B.
I use mostly Troyer Horizontals like you. Great choice. Best of luck this season.
I use mostly Troyer Horizontals like you. Great choice. Best of luck this season.
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Thanks Dave.
I started with the Bo9's with tunnels and as I gained experience and learned more I decided to upgrade to a troyer gourd. I LOVE them! And the Martin's love them too. They seem to appreciate the extra room inside. Birds immediately started having larger clutches. 2 of my troyer vertical gourds and 1 horizontal all had 7 egg clutches to my amazment.
Ssmartin. I know your set up. Simply drill. A 1/8" hole (3/32" will work too depending on the diameter of your hitch pin) 3/8" from the very end of the gourd arm. Then drill another hole exactly 3 1/4" apart from first hole. The length of the engagement of my troyer gourds on the arm is 3 1/2 " .
So there is a little clearance. If you start drillingvwith a much smaller drill bit it will not walk and make the job much easier. I did one of mine right on the rack with a cordless drill.
I started with the Bo9's with tunnels and as I gained experience and learned more I decided to upgrade to a troyer gourd. I LOVE them! And the Martin's love them too. They seem to appreciate the extra room inside. Birds immediately started having larger clutches. 2 of my troyer vertical gourds and 1 horizontal all had 7 egg clutches to my amazment.
Ssmartin. I know your set up. Simply drill. A 1/8" hole (3/32" will work too depending on the diameter of your hitch pin) 3/8" from the very end of the gourd arm. Then drill another hole exactly 3 1/4" apart from first hole. The length of the engagement of my troyer gourds on the arm is 3 1/2 " .
So there is a little clearance. If you start drillingvwith a much smaller drill bit it will not walk and make the job much easier. I did one of mine right on the rack with a cordless drill.
Stacy B.
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Whooey,
I got the porches/perches as well as the white sintra cavity entries all from s & k website. Same guys who make the barn house. The Martin's really seem to enjoy the perches, and it adds to the look of the house. And they are cheap as well. Buy extra just in case.
I got the porches/perches as well as the white sintra cavity entries all from s & k website. Same guys who make the barn house. The Martin's really seem to enjoy the perches, and it adds to the look of the house. And they are cheap as well. Buy extra just in case.
Stacy B.
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Whooey,
In case you were referring to the other perch rods on the house? Most of it is just 1/4 " to 3/8" cane pole that is zip tied to house. Can't have enough perch area. Hope I've helped. Have a great season!
In case you were referring to the other perch rods on the house? Most of it is just 1/4 " to 3/8" cane pole that is zip tied to house. Can't have enough perch area. Hope I've helped. Have a great season!
Stacy B.
Yep that is what I was refferring to! Thank you I am definitely going to add that.
-
Stacy B.
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:04 am
- Location: Leroy, Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only
2019- 8 pair, fledged 32
2020- 18 pair, fledged 91
2021-
Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows
Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Hey whooey,
I should have mentioned earlier that the local big box stores have packs of 4 ft. Cane poles as well as the plastic green poles cheap. Look in the lawn and garden section. They sell them as stakes for tomato plants and such. I just grab extra and replace them as they weather. Also get pre nest pine needles by the bundle. Local plant nurseries are a good source for the above items also.
I should have mentioned earlier that the local big box stores have packs of 4 ft. Cane poles as well as the plastic green poles cheap. Look in the lawn and garden section. They sell them as stakes for tomato plants and such. I just grab extra and replace them as they weather. Also get pre nest pine needles by the bundle. Local plant nurseries are a good source for the above items also.
Stacy B.
Good call!! Home depot bound here shortly lol.Stacy B. wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:18 pmHey whooey,
I should have mentioned earlier that the local big box stores have packs of 4 ft. Cane poles as well as the plastic green poles cheap. Look in the lawn and garden section. They sell them as stakes for tomato plants and such. I just grab extra and replace them as they weather. Also get pre nest pine needles by the bundle. Local plant nurseries are a good source for the above items also.