Cleaning gourds another question

[streamingbob]

Well all has finished for this season and I was cleaning gourds out (first year landlord) and now have a question. The nest material, pine straw with a few leaves looked normal BUT when I reached in to remove the nest it seemed to be matted down and almost stuck to the bottom of the gourd. It didn't feel wet but gave me the impression that moisture had been present at the bottom of the nest. Is this normal? Or should I be doing something else? The gourds are stock Troyer vertical gourds.
All the gourds had been successful as far as fledglings so I am not sure if I should just leave well enough alone for next year.

[C.C.Martins]

If your worried about water in the gourd, you could run a test. Clean it out and completely dry the gourd, put paper towels in it across the bottom. Suggest you put the gourd arm in it as it is normally hung. Elevate it a bit off the ground so pooling water won't creep up into the bottom holes.
Then spray it with water. Check your paper towels after. Remember water can wick up, it could creep up into the bottom of the gourd...will it make a nest wet enough to endanger chicks? Your test will tell. Let us know the results, I can send a picture of a weep hole fix if interested.
Tom
PS: got the pictures, this is an example of waffling, a small meat tenderiser heated up creates the pattern. It gives the water somewhere to go vs creep up. May want to consider putting a bead of caulk around the seal where the gourd and tunnel meet. Also add a dab on the nylon button at the top of the tunnel.
Hope this all helps
Tom

[streamingbob]

Tom,
Thanks for the ideas. This will give me something to do next early spring when I get antsie waiting for the birds to return
Bob

[C.C.Martins]

No problem!

[flyin-lowe]

I think between the slight amount of moisture which naturally would occur in the nest and the weight of birds sitting on the nest for months, it is not uncommon for the bottom of the nests to be stuck to the gourds. Some of mine are worse than others. I usually remove the access lid and can pull out 90+% of the nest then have to use my fingers to remove a small portion that is slightly stuck to the bottom. I don't think it's a sign of anything wrong. I just utilize the holes in the Troyer gourds as they come.

[Martintown33]

Great idea about using the heated meat grinder! I’ve been trying to find something to waffle with. Great Tom..
Rob

[defed]

i am going to attempt to print some filler blocks for the bottom of my troyer horizontals to keep the nesting material up off the bottom a little....something like a grid pattern. i know i can do it in a simple circle easy enough, but i'd like to try and make it match the shape to fit real nice - it also has to be able to fit through the access hole so we'll see if i can some up w/ something.

i changed a nest that got pretty wet during an all day torrential downpour (about 21 days old) and by the time they fledged, the feathers on their stomach and tails looked as if they had been 'wet'. maybe it was still damage from when their nest got really wet because the new nest didn't get wet. i figure a grid in the bottom to raise the nest 1/2" off the floor should help keep it drier even when there's a real bad weather event.

[Martintown33]

Defed.. To make a subfloor for my gourds, I cut a circle , the size of the bottom of my gourds, out of 1/2 thick rubber door mats. I drill some holes in them for air flow. To insert in the gourds, I fold them together, like a slice of pizza, slip them into the access port, then they open up and lay on the bottom of the gourd. Then I prenest on top of it. It keeps the nest material off the bottom of the gourd.
Rob

[defed]

Defed.. To make a subfloor for my gourds, I cut a circle , the size of the bottom of my gourds, out of 1/2 thick rubber door mats. I drill some holes in them for air flow. To insert in the gourds, I fold them together, like a slice of pizza, slip them into the access port, then they open up and lay on the bottom of the gourd. Then I prenest on top of it. It keeps the nest material off the bottom of the gourd.
Rob

that's the word i was looking for....subfloor LOL

i'm sure there are a lot of ways to do it. when i had a trio grandpa type aluminum house, i made trays and put a piece of that grid used on lights in suspended ceilings and covered that w/ needle point mesh to make the holes smaller. i like the idea of printing something so i can make it precisely how i want...how much air flow, how thick, etc. if i can't make it work (ie the access hole is too small and i can't fold it LOL) i will explore other options such as what you did. always appreciate hearing others are doing.

[C.C.Martins]

Defed.. To make a subfloor for my gourds, I cut a circle , the size of the bottom of my gourds, out of 1/2 thick rubber door mats. I drill some holes in them for air flow. To insert in the gourds, I fold them together, like a slice of pizza, slip them into the access port, then they open up and lay on the bottom of the gourd. Then I prenest on top of it. It keeps the nest material off the bottom of the gourd.
Rob

Now that is a great idea!

[streamingbob]

Rob, Can I pre-order about a dozen when you go into business making subfloors for PM homes?
Bob

[Martintown33]

Ha! I’ll have to check into the cost/profit ratio on that, bob.. but they’re easy to make .. I’ve included a couple pics..

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BD17665D-A29D-4EF8-A1DE-DBBC903C6D35.jpeg

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18A93238-DD49-42DC-BFB1-F5228FE249DA.jpeg

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[Dave Reynolds]

I think between the slight amount of moisture which naturally would occur in the nest and the weight of birds sitting on the nest for months, it is not uncommon for the bottom of the nests to be stuck to the gourds. Some of mine are worse than others. I usually remove the access lid and can pull out 90+% of the nest then have to use my fingers to remove a small portion that is slightly stuck to the bottom. I don't think it's a sign of anything wrong. I just utilize the holes in the Troyer gourds as they come.

''
Flyin-lowe ... I'm with you .. My nest are just as you described.. Not hard to remove, with just the twist of the hand, and a few areas that need a little rubbing and your go to..

Dave

[Jones4381]

I think between the slight amount of moisture which naturally would occur in the nest and the weight of birds sitting on the nest for months, it is not uncommon for the bottom of the nests to be stuck to the gourds. Some of mine are worse than others. I usually remove the access lid and can pull out 90+% of the nest then have to use my fingers to remove a small portion that is slightly stuck to the bottom. I don't think it's a sign of anything wrong. I just utilize the holes in the Troyer gourds as they come.

''
Flyin-lowe ... I'm with you .. My nest are just as you described.. Not hard to remove, with just the twist of the hand, and a few areas that need a little rubbing and your go to..

Dave

Same here and agree Dave/Flyin-Lowe... cleaned out everything here and lowered poles 2/3 of way down this weekend...leaving gourds up for the winter and blue painters tape over all the openings. Cheers. 90%+ comes out with a twist and a little scraping here or there....rubber gloves thrown away...done for 24' Cheers!