I'm thinking about taking my trendsetter 26 house down and replacing with a 12-16 gourd rack next year. I'd like to know which racks are easy to do nest checks and which ones are easy to add a cage for owl protection. I'll probably use the 2 inch ground stake in ground that was used for the trendsetter. Any ideas. Thanks. The AAA gourd rack looks nice.
Dave
gourd racks
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Whippy
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
Dave,
The AAA is one I am considering as well but I am also looking at the deluxe K-24. I plan to use an equal mixture of Horizontal and Vertical gourds.
These selections are being planned for my ranch in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas.
I currently have the S&K Fountain rack in my back yard with 16 gourds. I've added two gourds to it to make 18. I'm not replacing this one rather, I'm adding gourds to it so next year I'll have a total of 23 or 24 gourds on it. I've had to reinforce the fountain arms of this rack to keep them from bobbing up and down in the wind. You'll see the braces I added in the photo. It all works good and the Martins are all over it. Here's a photo of them this morning during happy hour.
Coolwhips
The AAA is one I am considering as well but I am also looking at the deluxe K-24. I plan to use an equal mixture of Horizontal and Vertical gourds.
These selections are being planned for my ranch in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas.
I currently have the S&K Fountain rack in my back yard with 16 gourds. I've added two gourds to it to make 18. I'm not replacing this one rather, I'm adding gourds to it so next year I'll have a total of 23 or 24 gourds on it. I've had to reinforce the fountain arms of this rack to keep them from bobbing up and down in the wind. You'll see the braces I added in the photo. It all works good and the Martins are all over it. Here's a photo of them this morning during happy hour.
Coolwhips
- Attachments
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- Happyhour7-2-20.jpg (40.94 KiB) Viewed 1148 times
2016 - late to put up, many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
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Whippy
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
SS,
How do you like the Vertical gourds? I'm planning to buy 10 of those and add them for next year. I am doing quite well with the Horizontals but want to add a little bit of a twist.
Thanks,
Coolwhips
How do you like the Vertical gourds? I'm planning to buy 10 of those and add them for next year. I am doing quite well with the Horizontals but want to add a little bit of a twist.
Thanks,
Coolwhips
2016 - late to put up, many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
My sister in Seguin, TX has two Troyer Ultimate-Deluxe K-Series 18 Gourd Racks. She loves them. The superior pulley system at the top makes raising and lowering the gourd rack easy. Stainless steel arms for the gourds are included. They have standard 3" aluminum square poles with optional worm gear winches. They have withstood the strong winds in Seguin including many storms.
The closest equivalent PMCA Store gourd rack is the 18 Unit Deluxe Gourd Rack with optional stainless steel arms and optional add on 3" pole and winch. Do not know how the small top pulley will stand up over time.
Neither gourd rack system includes gourds.
The closest equivalent PMCA Store gourd rack is the 18 Unit Deluxe Gourd Rack with optional stainless steel arms and optional add on 3" pole and winch. Do not know how the small top pulley will stand up over time.
Neither gourd rack system includes gourds.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Sat Jul 04, 2020 8:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
They are great gourds. I don’t really see any difference between the two as far as the martins are concerned. In my opinion the venting of the vertical is superior simply because the vents are higher up allowing more for the hot air to rise and exit. I originally got the horizontals for the cling plate but some starlings quickly showed up after that so I had to modify them.
I actually bought a bunch of s&k gourds with the access caps I am going to add tunnels and modify for my next rack. Save some money and it is fun to work with them.
I have seen a colony where the guy has coffee cans as gourds with pvc tunnels and vents. The birds could care less as long as they are safe and dry inside.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 2965
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I bought a AAA gourd rack 10 plus years ago and have had zero issues with it. At the time it was one of the lower priced gourds racks available when compared to the common/name brand racks you see. Like everything else the price has gone up some but if it is in your price range then I would go with one of those. I am considering buying another for next year. I want to expand my colony a little next year and this will probably be what I go with, to even things out again. I added another T14 last year and only have 1 gourd rack so if I do expand Ill probably add another AAA. I do lower it some with storms in the forecast but I am still on the original ropes, pulleys, etc. The only thing I need to do to it next year is replace a few of the rubber sliders (or whatever they are called) that are inside of the hub which slides up and down on the pole, a few of mine are missing but I think I saw where you can get replacements. Mine is full with Troyer horizontal and vertical gourds and that rack has 100% occupancy this year for the first time.
2020 Currently 42 nest, 110 babies, 64 eggs left to hatch(6-22-20) HOSP count-8
2019- 31 Pair over 100 fledged
2018- 15 pair last count 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair nested, 12 eggs total, fledged 10. 4 additional SY's stayed all summer but never paired/nested.
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles away, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair (11 that nested), 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair, 21 eggs, 16 hatched, 14 fledged.
2019- 31 Pair over 100 fledged
2018- 15 pair last count 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair nested, 12 eggs total, fledged 10. 4 additional SY's stayed all summer but never paired/nested.
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles away, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair (11 that nested), 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair, 21 eggs, 16 hatched, 14 fledged.
I have found with the Troyer Horizintal Gourds the owls do not have access to the Martins. With the vertical gourds they can reach into the Gourd at night and pull the Martins out.
At this time I have 82 Horizontal Gourds and 3 Gemini round Gourd racks and (after adding 3/4" vents) have had no problem with them and nest checks go well.
At this time I have 82 Horizontal Gourds and 3 Gemini round Gourd racks and (after adding 3/4" vents) have had no problem with them and nest checks go well.
2008 - 33 PAIR - FLEDGED 96 YOUNG
2009 - 51 PAIR - FLEDGED 166 YOUNG
2010 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 146 YOUNG
2011 - 33 PAIR - 128 HATCHED, 97 FLEDGED
2012 - 37 PAIR - 119 HATCHED, 101 FLEDGED
2009 - 51 PAIR - FLEDGED 166 YOUNG
2010 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 146 YOUNG
2011 - 33 PAIR - 128 HATCHED, 97 FLEDGED
2012 - 37 PAIR - 119 HATCHED, 101 FLEDGED