Modified Trio

~Patrick~ · Tue May 09, 2006 9:12 pm

I have a question about modifying my Trio aluminum houses for next year. I've read more than once that the martins often continue to build in the front compartment, even after it's been enlarged. Is this true? I'd hate to lose half my compartments if they're not going to use the extra space. I'm sure they're cramped in 6x6 spaces, but if they continue to use just part of the modified compartment, I'm not sure I want to do it. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Patrick

John Miller · Tue May 09, 2006 9:39 pm

I've modified several Trio houses, which were well occupied and martins never built in entry compartments. (I keep the interior walls and put a hole through it.) I did hear of a sub adult pair doing this once in the side by side arrangement of a Coates Water's Edge House. But even in Trio houses with side by side, I found martins went to the furthest comparment,where they know they are better protected.

I have found that in side by side compartments, with an entry hole between, sparrows will build in the entry compartment. With back to back, they tend to go to the back.

John Miller

~Patrick~ · Tue May 09, 2006 9:56 pm

Thanks, John. That's encouraging. I'll go ahead with my plans to modify for next season, then. My martins are very imprinted on housing. I put up new gourds and had only 1 out of 4 chosen. Maybe they'll be more popular next year with modified Trios and gourds underneath.

Thanks again,

Patrick

Guest · Tue May 09, 2006 10:40 pm

Patrick,

I have a couple of NH MSS6s. Both are converted to 4 rooms. One has been up for two years, another one year. Neither one has had nest in the front room... always in back. I also have all doors, except one, facing towards my house. This doesn't seem to have any problems either.

Chuck

Craig Haddox · Tue May 09, 2006 10:46 pm

Patrick, I have modified 2 Trio houses to 6x12 compartments by removing the inner walls. My martins are also imprinted on houses. Using porch dividers these houses are usually full every year.

Guest · Tue May 09, 2006 10:49 pm

I have two that are modified. I have never seen a nest in the front part either. I always put pine straw in the back compartments, on top the subfloors. If you go with sreh openings you may want and get something for traction. Not much traction on an aluminum floor. I used a pointed metal scribe. I just scratched a bunch of lines into the flooring inside and outside of crescents. The martins seem to slip in and out with ease. I have four SG/crescents, 2 natural/crescents, trio castle w/ crescents and converted also to 12 rooms. They seem to always pic the trio pioneer first.

Good luck!
Craig C

Guest · Wed May 10, 2006 12:09 pm

John is correct, I also have two modified trios and have never seen a nest in the front compartment. The martins love them. I put up two new 4 story Coates waters edge suites this year and I have a subbie pair nesting in the entry compartment of one of these houses....go figure.

Rahn

jonkertb · Wed May 10, 2006 4:49 pm

I have two trio castles modified w/porch dividers, SREH, and double compartments and never had 'em NEST in the entrance compartment but they often sure fill it up a bunch too so it may look like a nest but all egg laying is in the back compartment.
tom

~Patrick~ · Wed May 10, 2006 7:49 pm

Well, I'm convinced. Thanks to all who have replied. I do have another question about the modified houses. Do the martins lay considerably larger clutches in the expanded compartments? My egg count is low this year, low even for 6x6 compartments, and I'm hoping that by enlarging the compartments they will lay larger clutches next year. Any proof to this?

Patrick