Adding Vent Holes to Trendsetter

[dhansen]

We have 2 houses - a Nature House MSS-12 (converted to larger 6 compartment) and a Trendsetter 12 compartment. All the babies that jumped were in the Trendsetter. The internal vents are wide open. I've just drilled two vent holes in the removable doors on the Trendsetter, and I'm thinking about drilling two more in the sides (at the end of the season when the birds are gone), but that may be too much - I don't know.

Has anyone added vent holes to your Trendsetter?

[John Miller]

I believe Trendsetters are the best aluminum house out there, and since I'm so smitten with them, I may be contrary on this, but seems like these houses would be cooler than most. They have shaded porches, and styrofoam in the attic, in additon to the internal vents.

One problem I've had is that nest tray fronts need to be at least 1.5 inches high, otherwise unfeathered babies -- about 4 to 10 days -- tend to crawl out in moderately hot weather. The modified Trios with an interior hole in the divider wall at 1.5 inches off the floor does pretty well at providing a safe interior nesting pocket. When the babies are older, they move out to the front during the day to be near the entrance for feeding, but back to the back at night, and the same in a nest tray.

Maybe do some simple temperature comparison tests soon when all your babies fledge. One can always add more vents. It's smart that you began venting in your slide out doors on the Trendsetters; that way if you want to change it later you can replace the doors and start again.

John Miller

P.S. Was thinking on this more. I suppose the Trendsetter, being constructed of a heavier gauge aluminum by a hair, might retain heat longer? I doubt it, but would be interesting to know. As far as vents, I'd encourage you to call the manufacture for his ideas. John

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

I believe all metal houses get hot in the southern states and there is a certain amount of heat buildup within them which may adversely affect the nestlings. I don't think there are any negatives to adding additioinal vents to them. Following is a pic of my metal housing after I added vents. I did this due to the amount of heat inside of them the previous year. I put a vent on each side of the house on all floors. I used a hole saw to cut the hole and then threaded in a 45 degree PVC vent. I added screen mesh over the end of the vent to keep wasps out. The black electrical tape is holding the screen in place.

Tim