The last few days we have been preparing for the heat that is to slide into the area and hang around for 4-5 days.......checking nests for mites and putting up shade panels. Ice packs are in the freezer, water bottles go in later to freeze and have ready if i need extra.
Question....can I risk an ice pack with newly hatched young. HD was yesterday. Sy parents.
Judy
Ice packs
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Larry A Kronemeyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 5:27 pm
- Location: Illinois/Millstadt
Larry and Judy Kronemeyer
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
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jpp77
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:21 pm
- Location: Lawrence, KS area
- Martin Colony History: 2015 - 1 pair, not successful (Sparrows)
2016 - 1 pair, 4 young
2017 - 5 pair, 23 young
2018 - 8 pair, 40 young, two deaths most likely due to heat.
2019 - 18 pair, 74 eggs, 1 nest abandoned, all the rest successful.
2020 - 32 nests, unknown exact egg numbers, 1 death.
I've never tried ice packs. Me personally, I would be a little concerned. Guessing there is someone on here who would know more about it than me. I have extra ventilation and makeshift shade. Hoping for the best. I have 1-7 days for fledging.
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
This is just a guess from my observation with the web cam! It seems mom wants to keep the babies under her for the first week! I would say those that hatched and are naked will be fine! They will like it! Now the ones with feathers are gonna be hot! Your yard is the best for hot days! Your trees will give them shade except the mid day! Just my thought! I would think their not near as hot as we are! Lol Good luck! I know you'll do your best! 
Sharon from southern Illinois
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cnevett27
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:40 am
- Location: Washington, MO
- Martin Colony History: Hosting martins for about 5-6 years, keeping records back to 2014. Using all gourds-horizonal Troyers and Excluders
2018 33 pair, 140 fledged
2017-25 pair, 106 fledged
2016 25 pair, 87 fledged
2015 24 pair, 70 fledged
2014 21 pair, 43 fledged
I've always been wary of using the ice paks until the little ones have feathers. I would watch for lethargy in them. if they get dehydrated, you can paint their beaks with a little sugar water-use a soft brush around their mouth and they will respond to that. Lets pray this hot weather breaks soon.
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Larry A Kronemeyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 5:27 pm
- Location: Illinois/Millstadt
Thanks everyone..really appreciate your thoughts.
I talked with my vet about it.. he knows my concern but didn't think it advisable. Way too young. He wished me luck and said it will be difficult for them. Hoping the shade panels are enough. Such sweet sy parents, they fly, feed and come and go together.
Judy
I talked with my vet about it.. he knows my concern but didn't think it advisable. Way too young. He wished me luck and said it will be difficult for them. Hoping the shade panels are enough. Such sweet sy parents, they fly, feed and come and go together.
Judy
Larry and Judy Kronemeyer
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA