Trio Upgrade
I recently "rescued" a Trio Musselman from a customers yard and plan to use it this spring. What do you think about enlarging the compartments 'front to back' so all the openings are on the front of the house? This would be the side facing my yard so I could keep better track of what is going on. Also I plan to add porch dividers to seperate the entrances. Thanks.
First pair in 2005
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
My first house that I ever had, I made it with 3 levels, 3 holes per level, I had all 9 facing the house...The martins usually filled it up, but there were many martins in the area S of New Orleans
If you do that, the porch dividers is a good idea. Normally such houses do not fill up with martins unless you live in a martin rich area. Often 1 pair may claim several cavities. It will help to make them 12in deep, as then they will have more room
Good luck
If you do that, the porch dividers is a good idea. Normally such houses do not fill up with martins unless you live in a martin rich area. Often 1 pair may claim several cavities. It will help to make them 12in deep, as then they will have more room
Good luck
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Hi gwarnerjr,
I am not sure of the configuration of the musselman but I recently modified my Trio Wade . It is a 12 compartment house and because of the pole going through the center, it was impossible to go straight thru on all compartments. The middle compartment had to open sideways which was a real pain in the butt to acomplish when the house is assembled. We ended up using a saw drill and a flexible drill bit extender.
I am not sure of the configuration of the musselman but I recently modified my Trio Wade . It is a 12 compartment house and because of the pole going through the center, it was impossible to go straight thru on all compartments. The middle compartment had to open sideways which was a real pain in the butt to acomplish when the house is assembled. We ended up using a saw drill and a flexible drill bit extender.
Fledge on!
Nanette
Nanette
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TreeGreenwood
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:27 pm
- Location: Virginia/Catlett
In my modified houses, the Martins preferred the off-set cavities over the straight through. More privacy? Less light? Definitely better protection from owl predation. One more thing to consider.
Take care,
Tree
Take care,
Tree
gwarnerjr,
The Trio Musselman or M-12K, is probably one of the easiest to convert to front to back compartments.
All you have to do is remove the center dividers. It does not have the obstacle of the pole running through the center of the house as the Trio Wade or the Trio Grandpa (MSS-12) does.
I'm going to private message you a link to a site that has the easiest instructions.
That is a great martin house you rescued, and should last you for many years.
The Trio Musselman or M-12K, is probably one of the easiest to convert to front to back compartments.
All you have to do is remove the center dividers. It does not have the obstacle of the pole running through the center of the house as the Trio Wade or the Trio Grandpa (MSS-12) does.
I'm going to private message you a link to a site that has the easiest instructions.
That is a great martin house you rescued, and should last you for many years.
