BO9 gourds

[jhcox]

Hey everyone are the BO9 gourds a good product and has anyone had any luck getting PM to take to them. I've noticed that they are not as deep in the nesting area as far as being below the entrance. I have added on tunnel entrances to put the nest further back from the entrance hole and added porches to the inside and outside of the BO9s.

Thanks JHCox

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I have some BO9 gourds, and I also put tunnels on mine so they would be more safe from owls. The martins use them and usually fill them up with nesting material. However, the larger gourds will usually fill up quicker so I prefer the larger gourds.

I made some homemade tunnels that are about 5 or 6 inches long, and the martins like them better than the short tunnels.

The BO9 gourds are excellent in quality, are a great design, and reasonable cost. I can purchase them at the local hardware store so that is convenient, but tunnels are not available at the hardware store.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

double post

[jhcox]

So you didn't having problems with the BO9s compartment depth?? I got these at tractor supply and the bought the tunnels and porches later.

Thanks JHCox

[Mhoover]

I have both BO-9 and BO-11 gourds w/tunnels on my racks and both sizes have been used by nesting martins. I have noticed that the BO-11s have been used more than the BO-9s but some martins seem to prefer the smaller gourd.

[jhcox]

Thanks Mhoover i was judt wondering because most of the ones i see on internet appear to be deeper at the nest area below the entrance.

Thanks JHCox

[John & Linda - KY]

We have 24 gourds, 22 of which are BO 9"s. They are good gourds and the martins use them, but after a few years the porches and clean out lids get brittle and break, then the punch-outs on top start breaking. Replacement porches and clean out lids are fairly inexpensive and so are the vents that go on top and also eliminate the open hole on top. -- John

[Mhoover]

I solved the porch problem by gluing a piece of vinyl house siding underneath all of my porches with it notched so that it fits all of the way back to the mounting flange. I did this three years ago and have not had a porch break off since.

[jhcox]

Thanks everyone that makes me fill alot better about using the BO9s. And good idea MHoover on the siding.

Thanks JHCox

[John & Linda - KY]

MHoover - Yes, good idea. Can you post a picture so I can see exactly how you did this, also what kind of glue did you use? Thanks -- John

[Mhoover]

John

I don't have any way to post pictures so I will try to explain.
I cut a piece of vinyl house siding that matched the underside of the porch extending from the perch at the end back to the mounting tab using tin snips. I then notched the patch so that the reinforcing ribs on the porch poked through allowing the patch to fit tight against the ribs on the porch.
I used Loctite Plumber Marine clear adhesive to run some beads across the ribs of the porch stopping just short of the edge of the porch. A thin bead on every other rib is plenty. I then matched the pieces up and held them snugly together using a small 'C' clamp and two pieces of wood on the open area. The adhesive takes about an hour to set up so I left the porch clamped for maybe an hour and a half before I removed the clamp.
The adhesive works on metal, copper, brass, aluminum, ABS, PVC, fiberglass and tile according to Loctite. I have used it on aluminum and PVC in addition to plastic gourds so I know it works on those types of material. If the bead furthest from the gourd extends out onto the perch rod especially at the location where the ends quite often break off to partially fill the opening underneath the ring the ends on some of my porches have yet to break off.
I realize that the porches are cheap but the hassle to replace them when they do break made this mod worthwhile for me.

[jhcox]

MHoover did you store your gourds after the PM migrated south and then bring them out in early spring. Or do you leave them up year round.

JHCox

[Mhoover]

I take the gourds down and store them during the winter after giving them a good cleaning with bleach water and detergent.

[John & Linda - KY]

Mhoover - Thanks for the information, I may try that on some of the oldest porches. I don't have a problem replacing the porches, I use a wire cutter to clip the old fasteners and push the cut-off end into the gourd. A hacksaw would also work to cut the old fasteners. -- John

[belpre gary]

I have had Bo-9's for 5 years and have had no problems with them. I do take them down and clean them
with bleach water then store them for winter .

[John & Linda - KY]

You're probably more careful than I am, I've broken several porches off when taking the gourds down or putting them back up, but some do break off just from the weight of the birds and the deterioration (brittleness) from the sun. Also, I've been using them longer, probably 6 - 8 years. -- John