Question for all you gourd rack folks

[JameyS]

I have a colony that uses the old metal castle and next year I am going to replace it with a gourd rack. I already have the gourds. They are the super gourds with crescent troyer tunnels added to them.

My question is regarding the arms. I want to the gourds to swing from "side to side" not "front to back". Just looking at the pictures it is difficult to see how the vertical arms allow the gourds to swing.

Vertical for Excluder, Supergourd, and Natureline
Horizontal for Troyer and S&K

So, if I want them to swing "side to side" then do the vertical arms allow for this or do i need to order the horizontal arms which from the picture clearly shows them swinging "side to side"

Here is the picture from the website that i'm looking at.


Thanks

[Louise Chambers]

I think that's the rack I have - vertical gourds on vertical arms (Supergourds, troyer gourds) swing front to back, but they really don't move much in my opinion. You do not have option of using horizontal arms for vertical gourds, though - it's more about size/shape of gourd than anything else. I think. ;-) Call PMCA office and they may be able to help you with better info.

[JameyS]

Thank you. I was just worried about them possibly falling out the front of the gourd in high winds. That may be a dumb worry though.

[Ed Svetich-WI]

All of my gourds would swing back and forth, if they swing at all. The fit on the hanging arms is tight and there is little movement. I had to drill out the gourds to install them on the arms and I drilled them so there was just a little swing. As for nestlings falling out in high winds, an interior porch would prevent that. I can't adress the tunnels, as I don't use them. You will like the gourds. So will your martins.

Ed

[John Miller]

Suggest you test to see if your gourds will hang level or tilt more than you like with the tunnels, if hung with the rod running side to side. Maybe you can find a pencil or something and insert and hold the gourd. An actual smooth 3/8 inch rod, like those on the rack, would work best.

if the tilt is more than you like, you can drill new holes, 3/8 snug, front to back, but care must be taken to get the hole on each side level. it's a little tricky, but can be done.

I have hung the Troyer verticals, with the tunnels, on the side to side rods and there is a slight tilt, but not too bad, so I think the SG may be okay. But test and see, and you will know.

Hope this helps,
John M

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Baby martins will NOT fall out if the gourds swing from front to back, they cling tightly to the nesting material

[JameyS]

Thanks for all the great information. I can't believe we are only 2 months into this season and I'm already thinking about how to make things better for next year. HAHA