45 degree tunnels

[C.C.Martins]

All,
would like your opinion, experiences etc. on using 45 or 90 degree tunnels on super gourds vs standard entrances. I recently acquired 13 super gourds with round entrances and have installed tunnels with WDC modified excluder openings and porches on a few but am wondering of I should experiment with the 45-90 degree angle and same porches, entrances on a few? Seems to me that there would be lots of options.

They seem to like the tunnels on the natural gourds. What would be an acceptable type of tunnel material, fairly light weight but 3" wide is what I'm looking for. Lowes had some but they were schedule 40...a little heavy.
Any ideas would be great!
Thanks in advance,
Tom

[Dave Duit]

From what I can recall, the added weight may make the front of the gourd drop down if on an arm style gourd rack. But on a rod style is long enough to keep the front level, especially if using a Troyer horizontal.

[C.C.Martins]

Dave,
I have two lonestar gourd racks in reserve for next year, Ill be using those for the excluder, super and the Troyer vertical gourds so theres stability. theres always a little give due to the constant wind here but I secure them fairly tight...unlike some I am not a fan of gourd swing.

[Dave Duit]

I agree, I'm also not a fan of gourd swing. I think a secured gourd alleviates my worries.

[~Ray~Gingerich]

I made some nice tunneled gourd using SK big bo gourds. Instead of using the provided inserts I installed a 4 1/2" x 4 pvc pipe held in place with pushpins and caulk. At the end of the pvc pipe a troyer porch tunnel inserted at an angle and again held in place with push pins and caulk. The tunnels are about 30 degrees and the complete set up is not too heavy. I had grind the opening in the gourd just a tad to insert the 4" pvc pipe. I also placed the pvc at a slight angle.

[C.C.Martins]

Ray,
Ok, that sounds like a good long tunnel with plenty of room for the chicks when they crowd the front. It has a great front with the troyer porch tunnel. My fronts are all 3 inch, so kinda want to match that...my skills dont go into making entrances. Did you find the martins prefer the tunnels vs straight crescent and porches? Just curious...seems like they would. I read too that it may keep them safer from owl attacks...they cant see the owl because of the bend.
Thanks!

[C.C.Martins]

heres what I came up with. Its a 90 degree tunnel schedule 30 3" street pipe; Lowes. couldn't find a suitable 45 degree. roughed up the interior with a dremmel for traction, drilled the drain hole. it extends into the gourd about 2 inches. will do a final seal later. light weight. will rough up the top for traction in case they want to sit up there.

[sugarcreek]

Would keep owls out of reaching in, Like the idea

[Kyler]

What is the best way to keep gourds from swinging?

Kyler,

[C.C.Martins]

kyler,
i have vertical gourd arms. hung excluders and natural gourds. used heavy gauge copper wire and zip ties. no easy task, but mine are fixed pretty good...one or two gently rock in 30 mph wind.

next year will be tougher but I'm ready. just dont like swinging. one less thing to worry about.

PS lots of cussing involved, make sure you are alone.

[cransy]

I have had excellent results with 45 and 90 degree tunnels on my super gourds and horizontal gourds. I have been using them for 5 years now and the Martin's prefer them over any other housing. I think you'll be very happy if you use them, I also got my 45 and 90s from Lowe's.

[cransy]

photo's

[C.C.Martins]

Cransy,
Well thats great! Thanks for that validation, I had extra gourds and while looking for tunnels stumbled on someone mentioning their use; they look very much like your pictures. Its loads of fun tinkering with things and wondering if it will be acceptable for them and keep them safe. I was a bit worried that when/if they peek in and dont see a large cavity they wont try it. Im just trying one next year, have more gourds now than I have space to put them.
Thanks!

[cransy]

Great Tom,
Also, I forgot to mention that I use traction tape in the tunnels.