Eggshell feeding
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Guest
I would like some advice from some of the more experienced landlords... I believe I have a SY pair nesting (or at least nest building). I noticed several new birds yesterday evening. I have been planning on feeding eggshells, but have not yet. Is it too late? If not, where should the feeder be placed? How close to house and how high? Thanks in advance for your comments/suggestions.
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
It is not too late, they and other birds eat them most of the year. The feeder can be nearly anywhere you wish, just near enough so they can find it. I have mine about 25ft away, on a post about 8ft high. I cannot lower mine so I didn't want it too high, its too hard to fill and look into it, so mine as at a working height that I can handle with my stepladder
You can also put them on a roof nearby, on a little shed roof, or on the ground on the pavement. Some people sprinkle some on their driveway. No matter where you put them, the martins probably will find them. Some martins won't go to the feeder, they prefer to find some gravel on the street.
They are used to keep the martins off the ground, where a hawk can easily catch them. The feeder makes it safer for the martins.
You can also put them on a roof nearby, on a little shed roof, or on the ground on the pavement. Some people sprinkle some on their driveway. No matter where you put them, the martins probably will find them. Some martins won't go to the feeder, they prefer to find some gravel on the street.
They are used to keep the martins off the ground, where a hawk can easily catch them. The feeder makes it safer for the martins.
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
I agree, you will be surprised at the number of birds that will be attracted to eggshells. I too feed them all year mixed with oyster shells that I get at the feed mill in 50# bags. I have mine on a platform about 5 feet off the ground in an open area about 25' from the martin colony although any open spot would probably be fine. I also put some on the driveway for those birds that may not like to feed off of a platform. As egg laying get closer, the birds can be seen spending more time feeding at the eggshells. I have also observed the adults taking a piece from the platform and feeding it directly to the young birds.
My martins wouldn't take eggshells until i poured them out on the ground between the 2 poles. I've watched them and several other bird species eating them off the ground. You might try offering them in a variety of locations. You'll eventually find out what they like the best.
Patrick
Patrick