New Housing

[Mark Abraham]

I'm a third year landlord Last year I had a pair of Martins that successfully raised 3 babies. All I currently have is a cheap house I bought at wal mart. I want to expand and was looking at the First Martin 4-Unit Gourd Rack Bundle. So I was wondering if that would be a way to go? Also do you recommend the round or Conley2 entrances? Thanks for the input

Mark

[Louise Chambers]

For those not familiar with this starter system, it has a rope & pulley and comes with 4 Troyer gourds:

http://shop.purplemartin.org/First_Mart ... tails.aspx

It's designed to fill a niche, such as testing a yard or location to see if martins like it, without spending a lot (compared to bigger systems).

[Mark Abraham]

Thank you Louise. Do you think it's a good system to start with? Can it be added to later on down the road?

mark

[KathyF]

Mark - definitely go with the Conley II entrances.

[Louise Chambers]

Mark, it's a good system if it fits your budget. It cannot be expanded, but some landlords found that it was a great solution for destructive subadult (SY) male invasions at large, active sites. They'd put it up only when extra subadult males were having trouble finding a gourd, and it seemed to cut down on problems.

Since your yard already hosts martins, your yard does not need testing - you know it's suitable for martins. You could put up a larger gourd rack, or another house, too. Or, add the 4-unit and see how the season goes. I think you'd always be able to use it, even when your site has expanded. Conley II unless you either know starlings are not a problem, or you have no trouble controlling them. What entrance hole is on your martin house, round or crescent?

[Mark Abraham]

My current house has round holes and some years sparrows are a problem,so I trap those. Can you suggest any other setups?

[Louise Chambers]

House Sparrows will be an issue for most landlords no matter what they use - house or gourds, round or starling-resistant entrance. If a site has both house and gourds, House Sparrows often show more interest in the house. There are good traps for use in both houses and gourds.

[KathyF]

Mark, you can always install a 24 capacity gourd rack, then just put 4-6 gourds on it and grow as fast as you want. The size rack you choose depends on any constraints you have (ie, budget, home owners authority, etc.). The pole is the most important part of your setup.

[Mark Abraham]

what do you all think of this setup? Gourd Rack Starter Kit (Troyer Gourds) are those gourds ok?

[pmartinlover2]

Mark I was having a difficult time all winter trying to decide which pole, house, or gourds to replace my old S & K house and 4 gourds with. Of course you know I really wanted a Gemini rack and Trendsetter12 house BUT that's a lot of $$$$$$$. Had a lot of help in the form of suggestions from this forum. I ended up ordering the gourd rack starter kit with the 6 Excluder gourds from PMCA. I chose the Excluder just because I liked the natural look of the gourd. When I add on the next 6 I will get the Troyer horizontals. The gourds and pole and all included equipment are all very good quality. I am very happy with it. That being said I really like KathyF's idea of starting with a rack that will hold 24 gourds total and just grow into it. I guess I went smaller because I don't have martins yet and couldn't justify spending more. As John Miller and Louise told me, the 6 gourd starter kit is a great value and quality with everything you need to get started. Hope this helps.
_____
Jody

[4th Gen Martin Fan]

Mark,
I think that the 4 Troyer gourds available in the starter gourd rack bundle will be excellent.
I know that you will like Louise's suggestion of the 4 gourd rack starter bundle. The cost is unbeatable.
But I wonder if you will like the round pole of this starter gourd rack. When you try to lower this gourd rack to half mast for bad weather, then you will find that the round pole allows the wind twirls it around.
If you consider KathyF and Jody's suggestions, then you will consider the gourd rack systems which have a square pole.
You will be able to lower your gourd rack to half mast in bad weather and will not have to worry about the twirling and disorientation of the gourds in high winds.
I love the idea of focusing on the gourd rack pole system first and adding additional gourds as your colony expands.
My preferred starter system is the 6-unit Expandable Gourd Rack from PMCA.
http://shop.purplemartin.org/6_Unit_Exp ... tails.aspx
More than twice the price but an exponential amount of benefits.
Mark.

[Mark Abraham]

If one purchases the kit with the square pole do they need to purchase gourds separately,and if so the the hangers come with the gourds?

mark

[kehunter]

If the rack "spinning in the breeze" is an issue, I think you could clamp some "guide cables" to the pole (running vertically, top to bottom, straddling a gourd mount arm).

[Louise Chambers]

Mark, it says in the product deesciption that gourds are separate item, not included. The 6-unit expandable rack includes the long arms and the gourds slide right onto them.

[Mark Abraham]

Thanks to all who have commented

Mark