Straw Prenest

Carlton · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:59 am Post subject: Straw Prenest

Does anyone use plain straw, NOT PINE STRAW, as a prenesting material? I am wondering how well it dries, as compared to pinestraw, if water should get into the nesting chamber.

Also, I want to try putting the weather stripping around my Excluder entrances on my aluminum houses. Where is a good place to purchase that as I would not need much. I would only be weather stripping 12 Excluder entrances. Does it have an adhesive on one side of it?

Carl

dicklaxt · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2401 Location: Texas/Rosenberg

I have no experience with plain old straw and PM's but have had plenty with farm animals and when straw gets wet it stays that way for while in fact quite a while .Pine straw dries quickly if you have good venting and lots of bottom holes.I use 7 -3/8ths inch diameter holes in the bottom of my gourds.

dick

Emil Pampell-Tx · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject:

Weather stripping can be purchased at any auto parts store, at Walmart in the Auto division, probably some hardware stores, etc. Be sure to check when you buy it to see if it has adhesive on one side, they should have that kind available. I usually use a tube of adhesive as it seems to hold very good with the tube stuff.

Carlton · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject: Thanks Guys

very helpful

John Miller · Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 2550 Location: St. Louis, MO

Carlton

The most durable weather stripping I've found for this is from Metro Moulded Parts.

http://www.metrommp.com/ and look for Part Nuimber MW51634.

It's automotive "universal weather stripping," 5/16" thick by 3/4" wide, on a 10 foot roll for about $10.00 It's more durable than foam stripping for home windows. I find it at Auto Zone...probably is at other stores too.

I should try it on my leaky 94 Beretta...or just drill a hole in the floorboard to let the water drain out!

John

Dwight Martin · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 108 Location: TX/Fort Worth

Carlton,
I've used Bermuda straw, Timothy straw, and pine straw successfully. Using the grassier straws require you to have separated the blade parts from the stemmy parts as much as you can. The stems will not retain water well. My birds also use sudan stems quite a bit from the cattle leftovers nextdoor. My recommendation for any housing, no matter what you use as pre-nest, is to make your housing as dry and well-ventilated as possible.

Carlton · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject: Straw

Thanks everyone.

I gathered some pine straw from a neighbor's property. He was happy to help supply my martins.

RC Moser · Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 1208 Location: OK. Choctaw

I would evaluate putting weather stripping in these metal houses. IMO they leak and water come in from everywhere, under the door, above the door, through the entry hole, through the vent holes, from other compartments facing the wind and rain, and down from the top. If you block the bottom you nest may float especially during a heavy down pour. Now that the water has got in and it will get in, it may has no way to drain back out. IMO your best bet would be to raise the nest using some type of platform material about 1/2" thick. I use cheap floor mat material it has a drain pattern on one side and I put that down. Helps alot IMO keeping the nest drier and out of standing water.

If I did seal the bottom I would test it by spraying it with water and nozzle set on fan in an almost horizonal and rotating pattern to try and simulate blowing wind during a thunderstorm?