This is only my opinion some may disagree, but I just can't do nothing is certain conditions. IMO you need to watch for PM floundering in this cold snap. Forecast shows cold to cool temperatures for all next week for most of the Missouri Valley. IMO if you find your Purple martins on the ground try to bring them in and put them in a box, cover it with a towel, and offer meal worms till the weather breaks. Also, put where the dog or cat can't get to it.
I done this a couple of years ago and I heard them pecking to meal worms after they warmed up. Luckily They all survived. IMO if you do nothing they will probably die. You will find how tame and calm they really are. I just can't do nothing they are too precious and hard to get IMO even in the PM belt.
Snow if Forecast from Neb. to north OK. Poor soles in Nebraska are forecasted up to 2 foot of snow. Sure help the drought though. Even hear in Central OK conditions will be marginal for a few days IMO.
Bitter Cold conditions in Central USA
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
RC
Do you think meal worms are a better choice than crickets? I'm about to order something -- got some crickets on hand but when you freeze them little parts fall off - ha. Maybe mealworms would be more meat per bug.
John Miller
Do you think meal worms are a better choice than crickets? I'm about to order something -- got some crickets on hand but when you freeze them little parts fall off - ha. Maybe mealworms would be more meat per bug.
John Miller
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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
John, early in the year when I tried to feed them, I had both crickets and mealworms...I first tried scrambled eggs but they would not take them.. One finally took a cricket, and I fed them over 150 crickets, then I switched to mealworms, and they caught both.. They finally filled up, and I fed what I had left (about 30 crickets and 30 mealworms) the next day. I don't know what they will take first at your place, but you might try a few mealworms..I bought a small box of 50 at Petsmart, and it didn't cost much... I hope you don't need to feed them, but good luck if you do
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
John, I have only used meal worms. IMO they are alive and wiggle getting the PM's attention. I haven't had to fling Crickets yet. I can get meal worms locally at pet store in I need them. I am also going to try Bernie's boilded egg trick this afternoon beings tomorrow and maybe tuesday will be limited fly days in my area. I have two feeding/nesting bowls mounted on top my T-14. They used it last year.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
RC/Emil
Okay, dumb question. I'm planning to try here in about an hour putting thawed crickets in compartments, maybe a tiny shallow saucer or just on cleared floor. In chilly conditions -- 45 here now - would mealworms crawl off?
John Miller
Okay, dumb question. I'm planning to try here in about an hour putting thawed crickets in compartments, maybe a tiny shallow saucer or just on cleared floor. In chilly conditions -- 45 here now - would mealworms crawl off?
John Miller
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Guest
RC,
I'm just sitting in the living room watching the beautiful snow falling. My martins are not back yet thanks goodness! I see on the Martin Map that someone reported them in Iowa. We have about 3-4 inches so far and it is really coming down.
I'm a little bummed because my best friend of 15-years left today for a new job near Orlando, Florida. His wife and kids will be around until their house is sold so my wife isn't as bummed as me. I gave them a 12-room aluminum martin house with pole for a going away present. It's funny because they always teased me about my obsession with these birds. I actually think he's excited to put it up. I told him now he can remember us every year when "his" birds come back.
Well, I've got some snow to scoop. Thanks for letting me ramble.
I'm just sitting in the living room watching the beautiful snow falling. My martins are not back yet thanks goodness! I see on the Martin Map that someone reported them in Iowa. We have about 3-4 inches so far and it is really coming down.
I'm a little bummed because my best friend of 15-years left today for a new job near Orlando, Florida. His wife and kids will be around until their house is sold so my wife isn't as bummed as me. I gave them a 12-room aluminum martin house with pole for a going away present. It's funny because they always teased me about my obsession with these birds. I actually think he's excited to put it up. I told him now he can remember us every year when "his" birds come back.
Well, I've got some snow to scoop. Thanks for letting me ramble.
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Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
John, meal worms can't clime out of a smooth plastic or metal container that has sides of about 1 to 1 1/2" high. In 45 degree temp. the meal worms basically go dorment anyway. So any container 2 to 3" in diameter and about 1 to 1 1/2" high is perfect.
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
My martin came in yesterday(saturday) at 0815 . I have not seen him all day today. I was wondering if I should check my compartments monday eve and see whats going on and if he looks ill bring him in like RC does. I have boiled eggs and shells outside since he got here, but I have not seen him eat them. My martins would eat shells last year. Or should I just leave him alone and hope he is trying to stay warm in the compartment? In the back of my mind I have been wondering if I should just let mother nature do her thing, just with a little help from me.
Craig that's a tuff call, I usually don't bother them, or only lower the houses in extreme conditions suspecting they are dieing. I only try to save the ones that can't fly. In my area this usually early and only a few are back. I try to only lower the houses when I see them out flying, Basically it a gut feeling after days of frigid weather (Usually after three days of no bug eating activity IMO)( there usually too cold and weak to move).
IMO most will say don't bother them unless you suspect something is terribly wrong. I have read where they will huddle in one compartment is extreme conditions, I haven't witness that yet. IMO This usually works in small colonies, super colonies have PM's in different stages and some my flea but being too weak to return IMO. I have only had to do this one time in the 10 years of hosting PM's.
Nesto I lived in Omaha for 10 years when I was in the AF. I really enjoyed Nebraska
. I played in several tennis and a few billiards tournaments in Lin. and the Omaha area. I know how bitter cold it can get eastern Nebraska. Burrrrr.
IMO most will say don't bother them unless you suspect something is terribly wrong. I have read where they will huddle in one compartment is extreme conditions, I haven't witness that yet. IMO This usually works in small colonies, super colonies have PM's in different stages and some my flea but being too weak to return IMO. I have only had to do this one time in the 10 years of hosting PM's.
Nesto I lived in Omaha for 10 years when I was in the AF. I really enjoyed Nebraska
. I played in several tennis and a few billiards tournaments in Lin. and the Omaha area. I know how bitter cold it can get eastern Nebraska. Burrrrr.