T-14 Nest Box liner/coating?

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Junior07
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: Illinois/Mahomet

I just got my new T-14 house and I love it. I'd like to protect the nest boxes with something. This would also make them easier to clean at the end of the season.

Can I use oil base paint and paint the inside of the nest box? Can I use a primer/sealer in the inside of the nest boxes? Who's had experience with this and how did you seal yours? Thanks for the help!
Kevin
2014 - Added 12 more Gourds to existing Gourd pole, 34 Pair, 134 Fledged
2013 - Replaced Best Nest with T-14, Added additional T-14 93 fledglings, 27 pair
2012 - Added Trio Castle, 23 pair, banded 48 out of 85 fledglings

PMCA Member Since 2010
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Robbo
Posts: 624
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:53 pm
Location: Leduc, Alberta, Canada.

non slip
2009. 98 eggs, 66 hatch, 61 fledged.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion :grin: . first egg May 25 in a BO-11
2018. Population stable.
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Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Most landlords don't paint or seal the insides of bird houses, for martins, bluebirds, etc. Many use slide-out nest trays, which can be made of wood, styrofoam, or cardboard.
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Junior07
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: Illinois/Mahomet

I have slide out nest trays. I'd like to seal the wood to preserve it and make it easier to clean. These trays won't last long as messy as Martin nest get if there's not something to protect the wood.

Can't believe someone hasn't thought of this yet
Kevin
2014 - Added 12 more Gourds to existing Gourd pole, 34 Pair, 134 Fledged
2013 - Replaced Best Nest with T-14, Added additional T-14 93 fledglings, 27 pair
2012 - Added Trio Castle, 23 pair, banded 48 out of 85 fledglings

PMCA Member Since 2010
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Mhoover
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged

I have three cedar bungalows and used a moisture sealer on the interior of them to make cleaning them easier.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged

PMCA Member
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rdhd
Posts: 291
Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2004 11:40 am

I
Last edited by rdhd on Sat Mar 23, 2013 11:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Junior07
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: Illinois/Mahomet

I decided to cut out some liners for my nest boxes. Painted them with oil base paint for easy cleaning.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o72 ... 2e0977.jpg
Kevin
2014 - Added 12 more Gourds to existing Gourd pole, 34 Pair, 134 Fledged
2013 - Replaced Best Nest with T-14, Added additional T-14 93 fledglings, 27 pair
2012 - Added Trio Castle, 23 pair, banded 48 out of 85 fledglings

PMCA Member Since 2010
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Leandortree
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:10 pm
Location: Saskatchewan/Grenfell

There is no need to use a liner ! The bottom of your nest trays should not be smooth, rough cut cedar is best,(if they are wooden) and there is no need to paint them. The inside of a TROYER-14 stays dry for the most part. Yes purple martins nests get DIRTY!!! The birds don't mind, and it don't hurt them. I never wash (use water) inside my cedar T14's. I scrape the worst out, then use my shop vacuum, and set them (nest trays) in the sun. Birds are not human there is no need to use MR. Clean, or other chemicals to clean inside wooden birdhouses. After they have been in the hot sunshine for a few days, I add some Sevin, and put them back in the T-14's. I store all birdhouse in my shop for the off season.
If you keep your nest trays dry they should last for a long, long time!
Saskatchewan "The land of living skies"
Leandortree colony
2012-46 pair 200+ Fledged
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Junior07
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: Illinois/Mahomet

Thanks for the information Leandortree! That's what I needed to hear. Nothing like an experienced Landlord to set the record straight.

It looks like you've got a colony about twice the size as mine. Here's to another great year!
Kevin
2014 - Added 12 more Gourds to existing Gourd pole, 34 Pair, 134 Fledged
2013 - Replaced Best Nest with T-14, Added additional T-14 93 fledglings, 27 pair
2012 - Added Trio Castle, 23 pair, banded 48 out of 85 fledglings

PMCA Member Since 2010
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