dirty stinky martins
one of my babies jumped out of the gourd I had given all clean nest material 2 times, I didn't think they would need it again
I think because of the rain they all got wet and their are 5 of them they are filthy . My ? is should I take them out and clean them?
to clean birds or not??
clean the nests or the birds? if the nest material is wet again then yes I would replace with dry pine needles. I would not clean the birds. Do you have mites or blowflies that is causing these babies to jump prematurely? If so put a 1/4 tsp of sevin under the nesting material... Good luck.
Trisha
PMCA member
2019, 36 pair
PMCA member
2019, 36 pair
-
Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
If you did a nest replacements after they were 20 days old, this would explain an early fledger or jumper. In the years to come, just be sure to do nest changes when necessary between the ages of 9 and 19 days old.
sent a reply but it didn't go through I must have pushed the wrong button.
I did clean the birds we used 1 bottle of water per bird my friend just trickled it on the bird while I held it.the water was brown.i really debated if I should or not but after seeing the results the next day i'm glad I did , they looked great clean and didn't stink . mom came back and fed them .
their feathers were so stuck together it was sad!♡
I don't think they would have had a chance all full off poo !
a couple have fledged seen them out tonight trying to land on mom!
I did clean the birds we used 1 bottle of water per bird my friend just trickled it on the bird while I held it.the water was brown.i really debated if I should or not but after seeing the results the next day i'm glad I did , they looked great clean and didn't stink . mom came back and fed them .
their feathers were so stuck together it was sad!♡
I don't think they would have had a chance all full off poo !
a couple have fledged seen them out tonight trying to land on mom!
-
Barry Wallace
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:29 am
- Location: (Wisconsin) Cumberland
Tammy,
Are your gourds vented? I used to see the same thing with my troyers and super gourds before I vented them. Older nestlings cause so much condensation that the nests rapidly turn to soup in warm humid weather.
You did the right thing cleaning them off, they could not have fledged with their feathers matted with poop.
Are your gourds vented? I used to see the same thing with my troyers and super gourds before I vented them. Older nestlings cause so much condensation that the nests rapidly turn to soup in warm humid weather.
You did the right thing cleaning them off, they could not have fledged with their feathers matted with poop.
Landlord since 1987
-
bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
Tammy,
You did the right thing. Even doing nest replacements at that time won't help to clean up the birds. Just be careful not to get any water into their mouths. I was told by one landlord that you can possibly try using a soft toothbrush to clean them up, just be careful with it.
When the birds get to be around 20 days or older, it seems that nests with 4-6 young in them exhale so much moisture, that it just saturates the nests and the birds, especially at this time in the season. If they dry off, it seems to me that the stuff would just dry onto their feathers. It doesn't hurt to try and feed them at that time either. Crickets or meal worms would work.
If you don't have additional venting in the gourds, you may want to consider that. I found some plastic elbows that have male threads on one side (to screw into the gourd) and female threads on the other that you can actually put a plug into early in the season to keep too much air from flowing through and getting the birds chilled. They have them in both 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch sizes.
I have some pictures of the elbows and the drill bit sizes that are needed to drill the holes if you want them, it's a good after season job.
Good luck,
Bill
w.wenger@comcast.net
You did the right thing. Even doing nest replacements at that time won't help to clean up the birds. Just be careful not to get any water into their mouths. I was told by one landlord that you can possibly try using a soft toothbrush to clean them up, just be careful with it.
When the birds get to be around 20 days or older, it seems that nests with 4-6 young in them exhale so much moisture, that it just saturates the nests and the birds, especially at this time in the season. If they dry off, it seems to me that the stuff would just dry onto their feathers. It doesn't hurt to try and feed them at that time either. Crickets or meal worms would work.
If you don't have additional venting in the gourds, you may want to consider that. I found some plastic elbows that have male threads on one side (to screw into the gourd) and female threads on the other that you can actually put a plug into early in the season to keep too much air from flowing through and getting the birds chilled. They have them in both 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch sizes.
I have some pictures of the elbows and the drill bit sizes that are needed to drill the holes if you want them, it's a good after season job.
Good luck,
Bill
w.wenger@comcast.net
my gourds are vented , but maybe need more.they have the additional white cap on top.i think the drainage holes got plugged. ill check for that next year .
I was so worried about the house because it didn't seem to have enough drainage and they did good.
I might have to add more air vents?
I was so worried about the house because it didn't seem to have enough drainage and they did good.
I might have to add more air vents?
-
taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
I learn something new everyday from the forum!!! 
Sharon from southern Illinois