I've had large PM colonies since 1996; my 1996 house had 24 compartments, my 2013 house had 32 and my new one has 40. I just finished building & installing it on a mooring piling next to our lake dock but still have the entrance covers on, and have not installed the piling's cone baffle yet (for water snakes). The only wood on the entire house is the base for the metal roof, all of the floors and walls are PVC boards (Called Veranda, aka poly-wood) which I got as 4x8 sheets from HomeDepot. All of the hardware is stainless except the aluminum owl guards, so I expect this house to outlive me. I'm hoping the PVC board will prove to be an excellent choice for housing, but only time will tell. My 2013 house's floors were rotting badly, so I had to replace it for 2022 (I've posted photos of it here before).
I prepared an illustrated PDF document on this new construction that I will forward if you email me (bill@bthrash.com). Looking forward to my 27th year as a PM landlord, and best of luck to all of you this season!
New custom PM House for 2022
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Thomas Maddox
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
- Location: Sulphur, Louisiana
Wow! That is awesome! Nice job
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randyM
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:30 pm
- Location: Long Lake SD
- Martin Colony History: * 2016 - 1 pair (ASYM + SYF) 2/3 eggs hatched 2 young fledged.
* 2017 - 4 pairs, 16/17 eggs hatched, 16 fledged, 16 banded - 2 banded SY returned in 2018 (12.5%)
* 2018 - 10 pairs, 46/52 eggs hatched, 45 fledged, 29 young banded - 3 banded SY returned in 2019 (10.3%)
*2019 - 32 pairs, 145/160 eggs hatched, 139 fledged - 87 young banded - 12 banded SY returned in 2020 (13.8%).
* 2020 - 35 pairs, 180/199 eggs hatched, 178 fledged - 150 young banded & 42 SY returned (28.0%)
* 2021 - 89 pairs, 363/446 eggs hatched, 355 fledged - 150 young banded & 19 SY returned (12.7%)
*2022 - 116 pairs, 495/579 eggs hatched, 471 fledged - 150 young banded & 27 SY returned (18.0%)
*2023 - 160 pairs, 708/828 eggs hatched, 572 fledged - 150 young banded & 38 SY returned (25.3%)
*2024 - 235 pairs, 950/1153 eggs hatched, 865 fledged - 100 young banded & 18 SY returned (18.0%)
*2025 - 200 pairs, 795/953 eggs hatched, 739 fledged - 200 young banded
Nice looking house and craftsmanship, B-Thrash!
I have ten somewhat similarly designed 4-story 20-compartment houses at my colony that I made from wood. Last year I had to replace the floors in 2 of my houses due to the wood beginning to rot after about 15 years of service. What thickness of poly-wood boards did you use for your house, 1/2 inch? Is the poly-wood as rigid as wood of the same thickness? Do you know the difference in weight of the poly-board compare to wood of the same thickness and dimensions?
I have ten somewhat similarly designed 4-story 20-compartment houses at my colony that I made from wood. Last year I had to replace the floors in 2 of my houses due to the wood beginning to rot after about 15 years of service. What thickness of poly-wood boards did you use for your house, 1/2 inch? Is the poly-wood as rigid as wood of the same thickness? Do you know the difference in weight of the poly-board compare to wood of the same thickness and dimensions?
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B-Thrash
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:41 am
- Location: Summerton, SC USA
- Martin Colony History: - First 24 compartment colony built in 1996 in Awendaw, SC.
- Just replaced a 32 compartment colony built in 2013.
- New 2022 colony has 40 compartments, made entirely of 1/2" PVC-Board.
The PVC stock is a smidge less than 1/2" (15/32) and there's a router bit that size for the interlocking slots of the partition dividers. The PVC is not very rigid but lighter than plywood, especially treated plywood. If you notice the columns on the outside corners, those keep the floors and corners from flexing. When I bought the 4x8 PVC panels in July, they were the same price as the 3/4" treated plywood ($85 at the time), and you can get 1" thick PVC from various places but that gets pretty expensive. The PVC is not meant to be structural, but can be if designed correctly.
I did use reclaimed cedar for the 40 nest trays (photo attached), and I cover ALL the particulars on the PDF file I could send you (has the floor plans, elevations & sources), just let me know.
I did use reclaimed cedar for the 40 nest trays (photo attached), and I cover ALL the particulars on the PDF file I could send you (has the floor plans, elevations & sources), just let me know.
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
.... B-Thrash .... Thanks for the Photos,,, Good looking Job.. Have a great season ...
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Thomas Maddox
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
- Location: Sulphur, Louisiana
Those nests trays are the best I've seen. Nice job!
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Nice looking house. I might have missed it but what are the dimensions of the cavities?
2026 HOSP 28
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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MJM
- Posts: 136
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2021 7:41 am
- Location: Southern Indiana
- Martin Colony History: >
2026 - 1 Pair!
2025 - 0 Pairs
2024 - Moved to IN
2023 - 12 Pairs (KY)
2022 - 10 Pairs (KY)
2022 - 4 Pairs (KY)
Man, that's a big one! Nice work. I'm building a Taverner style one here "soon" for the next season, but I still have at least a few months... but you've inspired (and reminded) me I need to get on that!
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B-Thrash
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:41 am
- Location: Summerton, SC USA
- Martin Colony History: - First 24 compartment colony built in 1996 in Awendaw, SC.
- Just replaced a 32 compartment colony built in 2013.
- New 2022 colony has 40 compartments, made entirely of 1/2" PVC-Board.
Cavities are 14 D x 7 W x 5.25 T, outside walls are 29 x 29, floor/porches are 36 x 36, roof is 42 x 42, stainless mesh trampoline at bottom is 50 x 50 (70” diagonally), and total weight is approx. 275 pounds. It's a modular design, each floor was installed as a separate unit and all held together by through-rods from piling brackets to the roof.flyin-lowe wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:11 pmNice looking house. I might have missed it but what are the dimensions of the cavities?
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Ladybug
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Indiana/ Jamestown
- Martin Colony History: 2005-2019. Lots lookers, 2 successful nesting's.
2010-1 pair nested, 4 eggs destroyed(Wren).
2012- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2019- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged.
2021- 10 pair, 40 babies fledged.
2022- 17 pair, 10 eggs not hatched= appxy. 57 fledged.
Totally awesome PM House. AM sure this house took a few weeks to complete. Its fantastic.
I hope the Martin's wait for warmer temps. before returning to Indiana.
I hope the Martin's wait for warmer temps. before returning to Indiana.
Joanne
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
B-Thrash,
I like the perch rods. At first I thought the fishing rods were an interesting choice but then I saw another picture that showed where the house will reside and then it made all the sense in the world. Very cool and unique for sure.
I look forward to seeing pictures with Martins hanging all over this house. Please be sure to post them
Coolwhips
I like the perch rods. At first I thought the fishing rods were an interesting choice but then I saw another picture that showed where the house will reside and then it made all the sense in the world. Very cool and unique for sure.
I look forward to seeing pictures with Martins hanging all over this house. Please be sure to post them
Coolwhips
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Wonderful work!! Good lord, what a house. I think your right, it will last a good long time. Great style and craftsmanship, please send pictures when your friends arrive!
I have to ask, how did you get it on the piling?
Tom
I have to ask, how did you get it on the piling?
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Kegger
- Posts: 381
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 8:58 am
- Location: Awesome Florida
- Martin Colony History: 2020: 2 pair of SY with 4 eggs ,fledge 7
2021: 5 pair 25 eggs fledge 18, 4 egg 2nd brood attempt
2022: 13 pair 61 eggs fledge 56 added 11 cavs. now 22 total
2023 15 pair 75 eggs fledge 51 only 3 of 11 eggs hatched cavity 10
2024 11 pair 50 eggs fledge
26. 1 renest cav1, cav10 8 eggs 8 fledged 2 couples ASY and Sy
B-Thrash:
Nice job! Great re-purpose of the old fishing rods! I just might have to steal the idea and use my old sticks in some way!!
Looks like a Martin sanctuary with great cavity access
Nice place you have! At 1st look I thought it was on an intercoastal waterway.
Good luck with the Martins and their new place!!
Nice job! Great re-purpose of the old fishing rods! I just might have to steal the idea and use my old sticks in some way!!
Looks like a Martin sanctuary with great cavity access
Nice place you have! At 1st look I thought it was on an intercoastal waterway.
Good luck with the Martins and their new place!!
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B-Thrash
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:41 am
- Location: Summerton, SC USA
- Martin Colony History: - First 24 compartment colony built in 1996 in Awendaw, SC.
- Just replaced a 32 compartment colony built in 2013.
- New 2022 colony has 40 compartments, made entirely of 1/2" PVC-Board.
It's a modular concept, each floor and wall section stacks on one by one, then threaded rods at the inside corners from the piling brackets to the roof top lock it in place. An extension ladder with plywood over the rungs acts as the scaffolding, sets on the dock railing out to a beam on the piling.C.C.Martins wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 7:20 amWonderful work!! Good lord, what a house. I think your right, it will last a good long time. Great style and craftsmanship, please send pictures when your friends arrive!
I have to ask, how did you get it on the piling?
Tom