Feeding mix
-
~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
I made up a bad weather feeding mix my martins really love. I take an egg, whip it up real good in a bowl then add a tablespoon of water and a handful of dried mealworms crunched up into small pieces. I microwave the mix for 50 seconds, chop into 1/4 " pieces then add a handful of crickets. Breakfast bar for martins
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
-
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.
Yummm... sounds delicious!! 
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
-
Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Sounds like a good mix Ray.
I still want to try mixing in very high protein cat food with egg. I have been feeding just egg the past few mornings to supplement.
They ask when they are hungry, and it makes sense when they do ask.
Doug
I still want to try mixing in very high protein cat food with egg. I have been feeding just egg the past few mornings to supplement.
They ask when they are hungry, and it makes sense when they do ask.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
-
NancyinEnidOK
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:06 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Enid
[quote="Doug Martin - Fombell Pa"] . . . I still want to try mixing in very high protein cat food with egg. . . .
Hi, Doug! In connection with another situation, I have been studying the nutritional content of cat food and have learned that much of it is pretty high in carbohydrates -- for example, for some varieties one-third of the calories are from carbohydrates.
I couldn't help but wonder whether this might be too high for a species whose primary diet would be insects (protein) -- or for all I know it might not matter -- just thought I'd throw that out. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has any thoughts on this.
(Ray, sorry, I'm not trying to hijack your thread on the nummy-sounding breakfast bars! Hopefully some day I will have some Martins to make breakfast bars for. )
Hi, Doug! In connection with another situation, I have been studying the nutritional content of cat food and have learned that much of it is pretty high in carbohydrates -- for example, for some varieties one-third of the calories are from carbohydrates.
I couldn't help but wonder whether this might be too high for a species whose primary diet would be insects (protein) -- or for all I know it might not matter -- just thought I'd throw that out. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has any thoughts on this.
(Ray, sorry, I'm not trying to hijack your thread on the nummy-sounding breakfast bars! Hopefully some day I will have some Martins to make breakfast bars for.
)Nancy
PMCA MEMBER
PMCA MEMBER
-
Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Nancy,
Good point... if I recall science diet for kittens may be a good choice. not all cat foods are good to use.
At least from what I understand. There is an older thread we discussed this with the rehabber.
Doug
Good point... if I recall science diet for kittens may be a good choice. not all cat foods are good to use.
At least from what I understand. There is an older thread we discussed this with the rehabber.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.