Are Compartment Checks Necessary?

[birdman in buckhead]

Greetings Fellow Landlords,

I read on this forum about some landlords doing "compartment checks" before hatchlings are in the nests. Is this a recommended practice? I've only done nest checks in the past to document the number of eggs, hatchlings, parasite issues, etc.

My colony numbers around 25 now. All are ASY birds that have mostly paired, but no nest building started that I've noticed. SY birds have not arrived yet. There's around 10 vacant gourds to accommodate the SY birds when they get here, although more ASY birds show up every few days and occupy the vacant units.

Should I begin compartment checks now? I don't see any downside except the possibility of spooking some of the birds into leaving. Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[brent]

Hi birdman. I do prenest checks only to make sure things are ok (no dead birds or any thing that would alert me to a problem). One good example was during one of these checks I discovered that the nest tray had warped badly due to a rain prompting me to change it out. Once nesting begins I check for some of the same reasons but also to make sure I am able to determine when the first egg is laid so that I can anticipate hatching and later determine the age of the chicks and when to use plug and string when nest checking. I just checked yesterday and all the nest are just about complete with green/brown leaves so it tells me soon the eggs will be laid. In about 4 days I’ll do another. If course all is documented and sent in to PMCA at the end of the season. Bottom line for me, yes it’s necessary. Good luck. Brent

[C.C.Martins]

Greetings!! Sounds like your colony is running parallel to ours. Some open compartments, just about all paired up and no subbies. New females have been arriving, creating quite a stir.

Unless there's something amiss I don't mess with them until later on in the season, seems that they are jumping some compartments and one bird claimed two etc.

This early on im watching close and looking for issues, iv taken care of the first bit of mites, and trying to get them socialized to our goings on.

During a good wind event and I know I'm going to lower the system ill take a peak in one or two but thats the extent.

Hope you have a fantastic season,
Tom

Ps: should you decide to do it, you won't spook them just remember don't check early in the morning or late evening unless critical you do so.

[birdman in buckhead]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll use the "if needed" approach. For instance, we've had some really strong winds here the past 2 weeks and one of my wagonwheel style gourd racks had gotten unbalanced. So today while birds were gone doing whatever they do in the afternoons, I lowered the rack to straighten it out. While it was down I peeked into the gourds. As suspected, no nest building had started, and I didn't notice anything to be concerned about. One of the flip up doors on a house needs some attention, so tomorrow I'll lower it while birds are gone to do maintenance and peek into all compartments to check out any issues.

I'm ready to start routine nest checks but that won't start for another 4 - 5 weeks. Until then it will be on an as/if needed basis.

[brent]

Good approach. Your birds are lucky to have a dedicated landlord that keeps a look out. Brent

[Zheeeem]

I don't do regular nest checks. But I do keep a close eye on the housing (a single T-14) and if anything is out of sorts I get involved. Our T-14 is fairly close to house and garden, so I am able to spend a fair bit of time morning and afternoon on the lookout. My PMs are quite friendly, and past nest-checks have not chased any away. So I really don't think that's a problem. For me it's just a matter of "if it works, don't fix it."

[Martintown33]

I do pre nesting checks on a regular basis (once or twice a week) for reasons others have listed above. Just to Make sure all is okay, no mites, just general wellness check. But as Tom said, I wait til their all out feeding and not around the site , as to not stress them ( usually between 2 and 4 pm). I’m outside in the morning when their socializing and in the evenings when they come home, to increase bonding. I think it helps to reduce their stress when regular nest checks are done during the times when their parental protective instincts really kick in during egg laying and after hatching.
Good luck,
Rob

[brent]

Hey Rob. I do the same thing. I’d rather be pro active. I learned the hard way. When I was new at it and was afraid to bother the martins I was too late to discover mite infestation and lost a whole nest of chicks (4). I learned from then on to do what it takes. I learned the plug and string method. I just didn’t want to scare the birds. Big mistake. Brent

[Martintown33]

Agree Brent. I was the same way at first. At first, Thinking less contact is better. But we both learned that the more you’re around them, actually the less stressful it is for them , as they learn you are friend and not foe…I’m seeing nest building beginning this morning..
Good luck,
Rob

[cary-nw-fla]

I do early nest checks for the reasons others have stated above. Unless I see something requiring immediate attention I try to do all my checks in the afternoon between 2 & 4 when they're out feeding.