would you buy used martin poles and gourds

[amethyst.aviators]

Quick background on my situation. I purchased a property with a decades long established martin colony. I knew nothing about purple martins and then this summer there were chicks jumping or maybe getting pushed out of gourds... I really dont want to get into that topic, its just awful. My equipment is 24-ish foot tall poles (2) and they pivot at the base. the gourds racks are welded onto the poles and the gourds are very small, plastic with 2 inch round holes... theres no access ports etc.

I need good equipment. thought i'd revamp my poles by fabricating lowering gourds racks and then buying gourds. the metal, the winches etc is all costly. I have too many martins to replace all the housing with brand new stuff. I thought about just doing a few gourds but I hate to drive off nesting pairs due to lack of housing.

Got a lead on a landlord who has a large colony but due to advanced age, he cannot maintain it, and wants to sell his poles and gourds. Gourds are troyer horizontals poles are 3" aluminum 18 ft tall

I hate to "take" a martin colony's housing but this landlord is determined to sell. He said he's keeping 1 pole. I thought about health issues, but I think cleaning the gourds with mild bleach water should take care of it?

Am I missing something that this is a bad idea?

[G Saner]

Sounds like a great deal. That equipment should be in good shape but take a look at it before you make an offer. It looks like you were in the right place at the right time. Plastic gourds clean up very well and last for decades. You can soak them if needed.

Also, I would recommend that you leave your present housing up at least one year. A slow transition from the old housing and poles to newer more "nest check friendly" would be ideal. I would do it over 2-3 years.

If you buy this housing, you can keep looking for more for future years. I was given 7 Trio houses without asking when I moved here. That was from 4 different people. Used housing can be a great deal and save a lot of money.

[C.C.Martins]

Second Mr Saner. Sometimes the stars align.
Yes, ask him to go through the operation of the system, look for obvious problems. Can get a picture of it and post here to get some feedback or look on PMCA or some other sites to compare...a good used system is as good as a new one. If properly cared for they will last many years.
Iv some natural gourds I suspect are only a few years younger than I.
I bought a trio castle, a doubled up trio grandpa, both complete with pole, 4 trio predator guards, 5 winch systems, a wire sparrow trap, 5 spare o doors, bunch of extra doors for 200 bucks last year. Just sort of fell into my lap...needed the spare o doors (can't buy them any more), and the house to put them on for our satelite site. Sounds similar to your situation. Sounds to me like a case of good timing.
We love to talk birds so ask him to show you how it all works that way he doesn't take offense and you can see it operate.
Tom

[defed]

troyer horizontals and a 3" pole? heck yea! not sure how long TH gourds have been on the market, but they can't be that old. i'd say cleaning them would be no different than cleaning them at your own site.

[Unk Bond]

Hello
Same here In a heart beat [ Later