Gourd Rack Recommendations For Coates Telescoping Pole?

[ck40731]

Hi Everybody,

My setup is the Coates (Birds Choice) Ultimate Telescoping Pole (round pole) with a Coates 16 Room House on top of the pole. My question is does anyone have this same pole - and if so do you know if any Gourd Racks that will fit it (under my house)?

Basically this year I wanted to add a gourd rack and gourds under my Coates house - but I am having no luck finding a Gourd rack that will fit a round pole of this diameter (which I think it 1 5/8 at the top section that connects to my house).

If any of you have this pole - and have pictures of your setups I would love to see them.

Thanks for your help and advice!

Corey

[tim414]

Something I would consider is the top heavy weight on your pole. How heavy is your house?

[tonyg]

Tim is right...if you have it in a windy (gusty) area, and it's top heavy on a small diameter pole, it WILL bend or topple over...adding weight underneath will only complicate matters....don't know the diameter of this certain pole..but make sure it's strong enough to support your housing..neighbors bought those cheap S&K plastic houses on a small diameter pole and first high wind day we got he was on the phone asking for a new ones...my advice would be 2" or 3" square pole..which you can add a gourd rack to..good luck.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Corey:

I had a Coates house and pole as my third pole at my previous colony in Arkansas. I used it for four years and never had a wind problem with it. Under the Coates house I attached four gourds. Before attaching the gourds, I reinforced the bottom of the house with a piece of plywood. I attached the hardware for mounting the gourds to the plywood. Here is a picture of pole with gourds. When this picture was taken, I had a Sunset Inn house mounted on the pole.

[Louise Chambers]

Tim's method looks good and sturdy. I agree, keep weight in mind. Two gourds, no problem, 3 ought to be okay also. It's hard to say for sure but add nest material weight and birds to 3-4 gourds and it adds up.

Here is an option for adding 3 gourds: http://shop.purplemartin.org/Create_a_R ... tails.aspx

Here's another, that also offers some perching places: http://shop.purplemartin.org/Roosting_A ... tails.aspx

[ck40731]

Thanks for all of the feedback here! The pole I have is the Birds Choice (Coates) Telescoping Pole. Its the only one I have ever had - but its sturdy as heck. I know the top section of the pole measures 1 5/8 inches. The next section under it is just over 2 inches. Then there is another section or two under that (which is even thicker obviously). Anyway I don't think adding more weight with Gourds will be any issue to this pole.

Tim Mangan your suggestions both look great and exactly like what I was hoping to find. Question - between the two options - which do you think would be better? One looks thinner and a little more flimsy than the other - but honestly the descriptions both make them sound like they would work find for supporting gourds. Just wondering if anyone has experience with the two items you suggested - and if so which is the better bet?

http://shop.purplemartin.org/Create_a_R ... tails.aspx
OR
http://shop.purplemartin.org/Roosting_A ... tails.aspx

Lastly - once I choose one of the two gourd racks above - do any of you have suggestions on which 3 gourds I should by to hang from this rack?

Sorry - I have just never worked with gourds - so would love your advice....so I know I am doing it right the first time!

Thanks again everybody!

[ck40731]

Sorry - Louise Chambers you are the one who deserves the credit for those two suggestions! Again now if you can help me choose between the two - and which gourds to add to my order. I will be all set!!

[Louise Chambers]

Corey, I have used the longer arms, one gourd per arm. I have not had an opportunity to try the newer product but it's from a good manufacturer, know it will do the job well.

Gourds are a matter of opinion/preference mostly - they are all good.

[John Barrow]

Corey,
When I started a colony in Corpus Christi a good while back, I offered a Coates house (12 room converted to 6) and hung three natural gourds under it on the gourd hanging arms I purchased from PMCA. It worked fine and I never had an issue with weight. Eventually I changed out to a Lonestar Goliad with an add a rack underneath. The house/gourd combination is a great magnet for martins. Best of luck.

Edit note: Photo shows a set of gourd hanging arms holding 3 natural gourds. It is placed on the pole beneath a set of perching rods. The perching rods are not designed for and will not support the weight of gourds.

[tonyg]

Corey as Louise stated, gourds are a personal preference. So I will tell you mine..the Troyer Horizontal pictured in Tim's post and the Troyer Vertical...can't go wrong with either one. It's often said Martins like long tunnels, so maybe the Troyer Horizontal for you...good luck.