New House

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I built a Martin house of some old plans and the design doesn’t allow me to clean it at all. I have built a T4 and I would like to replace the old one. Do I have to put the old one back up alongside the new one?

[C.C.Martins]

You should put up the new house near the old one, that will allow them to gravitate to it, fear would be if old house was replaced with new, they won't recognise it and abandon. How close is up to you, id put it in the best most open spot. Applaud your choice in the t14, good house!
Tom

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I lost some birds in the old house and really don’t want them to use it anymore. What are the odds of a disaster if I don’t put it up or put it up with the holes blocked.

[flyin-lowe]

I would take the house down and put the new hosing up in it's place, or close. The martins will adapt to a different style house.

[C.C.Martins]

I lost some birds in the old house and really don’t want them to use it anymore. What are the odds of a disaster if I don’t put it up or put it up with the holes blocked.

Won't be a disaster, some may leave perhaps the oldest birds. If that old house you have is in the best spot, do as flyin-low suggests. If you have room, plugging the holes is a good idea, put the new house near it. Friend of mine changed their house, oldest birds abandoned. But it worked out for him, subbies moved right in.

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We live on a farm and have tons of room. Right now I have birds moving through…50 to 75 per day. New bunches stay and feed and then leave. Kinda fun.

[Martintown33]

I would put new house near old house.. plug up a good amount oh holes in the old house, to encourage them to use the new one.. but I wouldn’t just put up the new one by itself , the first year.. martins are creatures of habit, and sometimes don’t readily accept new housing.. second season, you should be ok to remove old house..
Rob