plastic gourds
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Guest
I am thinking about getting plastic supergourds, and would like some input on them. Thanks
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Guest
Ray Ashley, I recommend the Troyer Horizontal Gourd. They are sold in the PMCA Shop area of this website. If you are going to go with a plastic gourd, then the Troyer Horizontal Gourd is a very good choice in my opinion. They did have a problem with the exit being too slick for martins to get traction to exit the gourd. However, they have since fixed the problem. The deeper compartment of the Troyer Horizontal Gourd makes it safer than the vertical SuperGourds, as far as protection from owls which reach in to pull out martins.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Hi Ray
Supergourds are heavy duty, weighing about 32 oz and probably pretty indestrutable. You'll need something secure to hang them on. I like that on a #10 copper wire, you can let them swing -- but they won't won't swing excessively because of the weight.
Assuming you'll get crescent openings, there's consideration to be given to porches, which help martins enter. The PMCA aluminum clip-on, in my opinion, needs to be secured with machine screws or rivets. A few folks have reported starlings breaching these, as the porches fall a little low. The S&K porches seem to be a good option.
It bothers me with plastic gourds that the interior is slick, and nests can slide around. But you can rough up the nest bowl by a number of means.
SGs are a high quality product. Mostly, consider the weight. You may prefer S&K gourds, and many folks like the Troyer gourds. Every site and situation is a little different.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
Supergourds are heavy duty, weighing about 32 oz and probably pretty indestrutable. You'll need something secure to hang them on. I like that on a #10 copper wire, you can let them swing -- but they won't won't swing excessively because of the weight.
Assuming you'll get crescent openings, there's consideration to be given to porches, which help martins enter. The PMCA aluminum clip-on, in my opinion, needs to be secured with machine screws or rivets. A few folks have reported starlings breaching these, as the porches fall a little low. The S&K porches seem to be a good option.
It bothers me with plastic gourds that the interior is slick, and nests can slide around. But you can rough up the nest bowl by a number of means.
SGs are a high quality product. Mostly, consider the weight. You may prefer S&K gourds, and many folks like the Troyer gourds. Every site and situation is a little different.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
best bang for your buck is the S&K Big Bo. PM me for more info.