I just ordered a Heritage Farms complete unit with 3 pods (12 compartments), a pole, a predator guard and a roof-top roost. I also bought a repeating sparrow trap.
I will start digging a hole tomorrow: I hope it's for the ground socket and not myself in case my wife sees the bill
I hope I have time to attract some PMs and can encourage them to take up residence. (I've been seeing some flying around my fields.)
Good luck my friend, you need to start establishing a rat hole(money)
for you second setup. If she gets into the PM bussiness too then she can knowingly help you take it from the family coffers then you can keep the rathole hid and go fishing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Maybe feeling gloomy, but I'm gonna advise asking the PMCA for references of folks who have had success with this house. On paper it looks good, but I'm just suggesting getting confirmation.
Heritage Farms has worked closely with the Purple Martin Conservation Association to develop these outstanding Purple Martin houses. Up to four "Quad Pods", each with four Purple Martin houses, can be stacked for up to 16 purple martin houses on one pole. The feature-packed nesting boxes and sturdy poles make this one of the best Purple Martin systems on the market.
So I'm guessing if they worked with them it must be o.k. I would not think they could advertise that if it wasn't true but I could be wrong.
I also at one time thought about buying a set of these houses but I went with the gourds instead and I love my Gourds.
But it would be interesting if anybody is using these to answer you and let you know how they are doing for them.
I found this review on BestNest for the Heritage Farms House:
Construction: Aluminum and UV-resistant plastic. Some assembly required. Average assembly time is 1 hour. White or green surfaces. Well ventilated. Very heavy-duty.
Pole System: Use only the Heritage Farms Pole System. Pole height above ground when installed is approximately 14.5 feet.
Access to House: Easy. The house can be raised and lowered easily with the winch and pulley system.
Access for Cleaning and Nest Checks: Easy. Each apartment may be checked without any tools and without disturbing other apartments.
Starling Resistance: Included. Pods come with three interchangeable door options ? 2? round, crescent SREH, and blank doors.
Occupancy Rates: 80%-100% average. Apartments are large and offset, maximizing occupancy.
Protection from Predators: Included. Features an integrated predator guard inside each apartment, preventing predation by owls and hawks.
Door Stops: Included. Use blank doors that are provided.
Apartment Size: 8? x 8? x 8.5?, 2? round entrance holes or crescent SREH.
Units: 4-16 apartments.
Expandability: Additional pods may be added up to a total of 4 levels (recommended maximum).
Comments: We consider this martin system to be the best on the market. It is easy to access and clean, expandable, and offers maximum occupancy rates. Offers both standard round entrances as well as crescent SREH. Integrated predator guards were really a great idea. Additional 4-unit pods may be added at any time without disturbing existing pods. Would recommend using 2-4 pods (8-16 total apartments).
On another note: My Blue Bird house was falling apart from old-age and recent storms. I bought a new one this morning and put it up. About 30 minutes later I saw a BB checking it out :-) Also, there were 5 or 6 of those dastardly sparrows buzzing all around. I never really noticed them until I recently learned what menaces they are. (I have the millet for the Sparrow trap - just waiting for the trap in the mail.)
