Eggshell prep

[white-out]

I read that it is necessary to clean all the whites and yoke remnants because it attracts bugs into the nest. If I have a separate pole with an eggshell tray, do I have to clean out all traces of the white membrane? I had some bad pealing eggs and I microwaved them for 3 minutes and some turned brownish, are they ok?

I had 3 martins setting up house for almost 2 weeks and was going to do a nest check. Today, another pair showed up and are in and out of a gourd. Should I hold off on my first nest check for another week? Thank you in advance

[flyin-lowe]

I've never prepped eggshells. I know they work great but in 2012 I bought a 50 lbs bag of crushed oyster shells for 10.00 and still have a lot of it left. My martins use them and to me it's not worth the hassle of storing, cleaning, heating eggshells. If there is a benefit to egg sghells over oyster I wouldn't think it would have a noticeable impact on a colony. Even if I owned a restaurant and had an endless supply of eggshells I'm not sure I would bother.

[Brad Biddle]

1) no prep needed and will be okay as long as they don’t get maggots on them.

1 Disclaimer) I’m not sure how Salmonella might effect a Martin or if they’re already infected with It and immune to it, so maybe one of the PMCA staff will clear this up.

2) the extra toasty ones are fine

[ToyinPA]

I bake my egg shells. I rinse the shells right after I use the egg & them I keep them in a bowl of water until I have enough to bake. I line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain off the water & place them on the baking sheet. I bake them for 20 minutes at 250 degrees. Let them cool then crush them into 1/4 inch pieces.

I wait until I see the martins nest building before I start nest checks. I normally do them any time in the afternoon while they are off feeding, as most nest building & egg laying takes place in the morning hours. Once they start laying eggs I usually do nest checks every day or every other day until the chicks are close to fledging.

Toy in PA

[white-out]

Our Martin houses are not visible from our home and I check on them often. It seems like they're not too thrilled with my presence at certain times of the day . Today was the first day I ever seen a Martin in a tree or on the ground/driveway. I always take my binoculars and have not witnessed any nest building at all(not sure if I will). I don't stay long 1) they fly away often & 2) I have lots to do.

How long will they wait before nesting starts? thanks all

[flyin-lowe]

In OH I would say they will start nesting any time if they haven't already. I am real close to central OH and several of my ASY cavities already have eggs and SY's are building nests quickly. I'm guessing if you do a nest check you will find some nests. I notice that depending on what your martins use for nesting material it is not always as noticeable that they are nest building as other birds. My martins first choice of nesting material is small slivers of dried corn fodder from nearby cornfields. I don't see them in my yard picking up stuff, and the pieces they return with are not real long and hanging down. I see HOSP bringing in long pieces of string etc., martins not so much. A lot of that depends on what is available in your area. If you are seeing them in trees more than likely they are grabbing green leaves which means they likely have nests build already.

[white-out]

Thanks for all the help....went a bought a bag of shells and will add eggshells also.

Can you scare off SY's by nest checking to soon? Like I stated, they are very skittish around people. I'm really enjoying them tho...