Thanks for your help.
Deb H[/b]
martin housing
I just bought a beautiful martin house and I also have an older one that they nest in. Problem is that even though the nice new one is specifically made for purple martins the rooms aren't 6"x6". Will that be a problem for them?
Thanks for your help.
Deb H[/b]
Thanks for your help.
Deb H[/b]
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Sam Harris
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:23 am
- Location: Oklahoma/Choctaw & Tinker AFB
What brand is it? The compartments should be 6x6 or larger. The deeper compartments can attract starlings but if used with SREH they can offer more protection.
Last edited by Sam Harris on Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sam
Choctaw, OK
2010...1 pair/5 eggs/5 fledged
2011...2pair/9 eggs/7 fledged
2012...5 pair/28 eggs/25 fledged
2013...12 pair/62 eggs/51 fledged
2014...15 pair/85 eggs/55 fledged
Choctaw, OK
2010...1 pair/5 eggs/5 fledged
2011...2pair/9 eggs/7 fledged
2012...5 pair/28 eggs/25 fledged
2013...12 pair/62 eggs/51 fledged
2014...15 pair/85 eggs/55 fledged
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hi Deb.
No, compartments that are larger than 6 x 6 will not be a problem for the Purple Martins. The Purple Martin measures 7-1/2" long. 6 x 6 cavities are honestly too small for them. They will nest in 6 x 6 cavities because that is all we have provided for them for generations.
As an example: I offer 80 plastic gourds. They measure 10 inches across. That's considerably larger than 6 x 6. Plenty of room inside for 6 nestlings and 2 parents. Now, let's hope that we have enough bugs this year to feed those 6 nestlings...
Best wishes to you for a wonderful season.
No, compartments that are larger than 6 x 6 will not be a problem for the Purple Martins. The Purple Martin measures 7-1/2" long. 6 x 6 cavities are honestly too small for them. They will nest in 6 x 6 cavities because that is all we have provided for them for generations.
As an example: I offer 80 plastic gourds. They measure 10 inches across. That's considerably larger than 6 x 6. Plenty of room inside for 6 nestlings and 2 parents. Now, let's hope that we have enough bugs this year to feed those 6 nestlings...
Best wishes to you for a wonderful season.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I know martins have nested in 6x6 compartments for years but it can't be comfortable for them. The adults are close to 7 inches and I am assuming that the fledgelings are close to that size in the days before they fledge. I can't imagine 6 birds that are close to 7 inches long in a 6x6 square.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
if we have 6 by 6 compartments that are just sectioned off. Would it be a good idea to remove a few of those sections and have some larger rooms?
If we do that, should I close off one of the entrances or just have 2 entrances to the larger compartment?
If we do that, should I close off one of the entrances or just have 2 entrances to the larger compartment?
2nd Year trying to attract martins! Wish me luck!
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
With a little time and effort the middle partitions can be removed. In my research I find that with larger cavity space comes larger clutch sizes; an increase of 1 to 2 eggs more per compartment.
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Trishy
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:25 am
- Location: Wisconsin/Shell Lake
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 2009 with 2 pair.
Currently I have 3 gourd racks with 24 gourds. One gourd rack will be for sy arrivals only.
Bo Eleven gourds 20
If possible, I would combine 2 compartments to make them 6x12 with only one entrance to the compartment. It gives the martins more room, and provides better protection. It also invites starlings because they like the bigger compartments, so starling resistant entrances are also in order. My brother in law just built me some individual chalets made from cedar. They are 7"x11". I have 3 of those and 5 Bo-11 gourds. The martins like the gourds and I shall see about the houses. I hope they like those too. Good luck and I hope you have a successful year.
Trish