The martins love their condo

[Martinfarmer]

A photo of my current rig. It has four identical boxes bolted in a configuration around a steel four by six tube. Each box has ten nest cavities. As best as I could, I designed the boxes and openings on the boxes to make it difficult for the martins to see other openings when they are on their porch. I used four concealed cabinet hinges for each door. I placed baffles on the front of the nesting trays so not to disturb the chicks when I open the doors. My cable runs inside the tube going up to the house and outside coming down. Started out with a hand winch to raise and lower and decided real quick to update to a worm gear winch. The roof stays up when I lower the boxes and gourds.
I used 1" foam board under the metal roofing to keep the attic space cool. The black gutter pipe draws air from each box and vents into the attic.
I used extruded aluminum tubing to hang the gourds on because I got a really good deal on it. I think my gourd hanger brackets are made by trendsetter.
The martins went for the gourds first and then started using the boxes.

[GeneP]

You sir, are a craftsman. Have a great season!

[Matt F.]

That is a gorgeous setup!
Great work!

[C.C.Martins]

Man, that is perfect. looks like it wont be going any where any time soon. no wonder you have so many, looks well thought out, like the air flow you crafted. Great job.

[Martinfarmer]

Thanks for the compliments. It was a fun winter time project. Once I figured out what to build, it was pretty easy. I just made one box and then made three more just like it. I already have a list of improvements if and when I build another one.
I helped a brother plant his corn crop this year. In return I hope to get some really nice red cedar logs, so the next one will be a little lighter and more rot resistant.

[philsergeant]

Well that looks like VERY well deserved reward for a lot of stout effort. Congratulations you must be totally stoked... I would be!! I know it's all their work but you must feel a ton of ownership in those 100 lives. Great job! No matter how hard we try we cannot begin to replicate the hours and hours of dedication both parents put into hatching and feeding the babies until they fledge. It totally amazes me. I have been watching that live web cam that PMC set up and it blows my mind. I always believed that dogs were better than people... now I believe birds too... So thank you for that 3 years of patience and for the joy you have helped spread!

[Henry Limpet]

A Masterpiece!! One day, I'd like to own/live on a farm and work the land. I am convinced that I'm a Country-mouse at heart, stuck living in the City. Let me know if you'd ever want a volunteer / free farmhand around. I bet your overall farm knowledge wouldn't fit on a USB memory drive. Thank you for what you do!

[Kuemic]

Love, love, love your set up. WHAT A ROOF!!! Luxury for the martins!! I would like a roof like that on our home!

Michelle

[Martinfarmer]

A Masterpiece!! One day, I'd like to own/live on a farm and work the land.
Thanks Henry, I love being a farmer. I promise the country mouse has struggles too, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Love, love, love your set up.

WHAT A ROOF!!! Luxury for the martins!! I would like a roof like that on our home!

Michelle

Thanks Michelle, all the roofing and vinyl trim is left overs from when I did a remodel on my house. Kinda cool it matches by accident!

Well that looks like VERY well deserved reward for a lot of stout effort.

Thanks Philsergeant, I too am thankful the martins chose to come to stay for a short spell with me. Experiencing martins hands on is amazing.

[ToyinPA]

All I can say is WOW!! Amazing craftsmanship. I hope there is someone in your life circle to pass your skills on to.

We need to do our best to get youth interested in the trades (carpentry, mason, metal working, etc) other than texting & touching the screen on their cell phones.

Toy in PA

[Bcorbs1217]

Martinfarmer, that is a work of art. You are a true craftsman!

[philsergeant]

MartinFarmer... Don't go handing out the Condo Association fees to them just yet, they'll fly a mile!

[Buckeyefarmer]

Ag engineering at it finest! Nice set up I like it.

[Martinfarmer]

All I can say is WOW!! Amazing craftsmanship. I hope there is someone in your life circle to pass your skills on to.

We need to do our best to get youth interested in the trades (carpentry, mason, metal working, etc) other than texting & touching the screen on their cell phones.

Toy in PA

Thanks Toy, I have two grandkids and if their parents will allow me, I will teach them all the hands on things so that they will know more than just pushing a button on a cell phone. (My dad calls it common sense)
Growing up on a dairy farm and then owning one myself, brought on the necessity of machine work, welding ,carpentry and electrical. I really enjoy working on wood projects, I build a lot of different items for my honey bees. I'm still awestruck everyday to see just how much the martins love their new home.
I got most or maybe all my ideas for my house right here on the forum. I have purchased supplies to support the PMCA, but haven't joined yet. I definitely will join soon.

[ToyinPA]

All I can say is WOW!! Amazing craftsmanship. I hope there is someone in your life circle to pass your skills on to.

We need to do our best to get youth interested in the trades (carpentry, mason, metal working, etc) other than texting & touching the screen on their cell phones.

Toy in PA

Thanks Toy, I have two grandkids and if their parents will allow me, I will teach them all the hands on things so that they will know more than just pushing a button on a cell phone. (My dad calls it common sense)
Growing up on a dairy farm and then owning one myself, brought on the necessity of machine work, welding ,carpentry and electrical. I really enjoy working on wood projects, I build a lot of different items for my honey bees. I'm still awestruck everyday to see just how much the martins love their new home.
I got most or maybe all my ideas for my house right here on the forum. I have purchased supplies to support the PMCA, but haven't joined yet. I definitely will join soon.

Martinfarmer:

Just want to says thanks for passing on your skills. I was raised, sort of down home on the farm too, but in a small town. We had snakes for pets, chickens, a pet racoon, grew most of our own food, meat was mostly wild game, etc. Grandparents (both born late 1800's) raised me & my brother. We also learn many things passed from generations before. Anyway we lived in a different world than the kids have today, but I fear if they don't learn these things it'll be too late by the time they realize they wish they had.

Martins are amazing birds. I love to watch them do their aerial show, sit thru a pouring/blowing storm wiggling their butt feathers, listen to them sing & sing, chicks popping out of the entrances for the first time & taking flight, etc. The worst part is when they all finally leave, the silence is deafening. You'll be like the rest of us counting the months, weeks, days until their return & then when the first one arrives you'll get all giddy .

Toy in PA

[Martinfarmer]

All I can say is WOW!! Amazing craftsmanship. I hope there is someone in your life circle to pass your skills on to.


Martinfarmer:

Just want to says thanks for passing on your skills. I was raised, sort of down home on the farm too, but in a small town. We had snakes for pets, chickens, a pet racoon, grew most of our own food, meat was mostly wild game, etc. Grandparents (both born late 1800's) raised me & my brother. We also learn many things passed from generations before. Anyway we lived in a different world than the kids have today, but I fear if they don't learn these things it'll be too late by the time they realize they wish they had.

Martins are amazing birds. I love to watch them do their aerial show, sit thru a pouring/blowing storm wiggling their butt feathers, listen to them sing & sing, chicks popping out of the entrances for the first time & taking flight, etc. The worst part is when they all finally leave, the silence is deafening. You'll be like the rest of us counting the months, weeks, days until their return & then when the first one arrives you'll get all giddy .

Toy in PA

Toy, we must be related somewhere! I'm from a family of eleven and also have two half brothers.
I think the wildest pet we ever had was a fish hawk chick. We raised it and eventually released it. At the time my little sister was about five years old . The hawk really liked her. When it learned to fly, it would land on her tricycle handle bars and she would give it a ride around the yard.

I don't have chicks with their heads poking out yet, but I know the time is getting close. I'm hoping that because I have some "Johnny come latelys", I will get to enjoy them a little longer. Having martins for the first time is awesome. But this is a first time I have tried so hard to succeed at something and next thing you know they are gone. Helping the martins is truly what giving is all about. We give asking for nothing in return.
It was worth all the time and effort I have put in just to get to see the martins yesterday dive from high up- almost straight down like a bullet, shoot in the hole drop off the dragon fly and back out for another one.

[ToyinPA]

Toy in PA[/quote][/quote][/quote]
Toy, we must be related somewhere! I'm from a family of eleven and also have two half brothers.
I think the wildest pet we ever had was a fish hawk chick. We raised it and eventually released it. At the time my little sister was about five years old . The hawk really liked her. When it learned to fly, it would land on her tricycle handle bars and she would give it a ride around the yard.

I don't have chicks with their heads poking out yet, but I know the time is getting close. I'm hoping that because I have some "Johnny come latelys", I will get to enjoy them a little longer. Having martins for the first time is awesome. But this is a first time I have tried so hard to succeed at something and next thing you know they are gone. Helping the martins is truly what giving is all about. We give asking for nothing in return.
It was worth all the time and effort I have put in just to get to see the martins yesterday dive from high up- almost straight down like a bullet, shoot in the hole drop off the dragon fly and back out for another one.[/quote]


If you think that's neat just wait until the chicks fledge . I love watching the parents trying to get them to come in for the night. Some are like unruly teenagers & flat out refuse. They get scolded, pecked, pushed, shoved & yanked. Finally they give in & head for the nest.

We had a chicken hawk, flying squirrels, possums, a huge snapping turtle, & gee I can't remember what all for pets back in the day. Those were the good old days .

We had a lot of rain this morning. Not possible for them to find food. I have 5 chicks hatched so far. So as soon as the rain let up I went out & gave my whistle & they came flying in & lined up. I flipped about 150 crickets. We often lack insects here, so I supplement feed.

Toy in PA