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Nest Replacement
Most parasites that are life threatening to babies live in the nesting material and nest replacement will usually reduce the worst parasite problem.
WhyParasites in the nest are a major killer of nestlings. The blowfly larvae will drain their blood. Mites are very small like miniature spiders. You feel them on your arms before you see them. Mites will bite and bite to an intolerable level. The young birds will many time bail out of the nest to escape the mites. If you find a young martin on the ground that looks to be in OK condition, it was probably parasites that drove it out of the nest! Its best chances of success are if you can locate the nest (or a suitable alternative) and replace the nestling there. After doing a nest replacement.WhenWhen do you do a nest replacement? Whenever you need to. Nest replacement can be done anytime that there is a problem (too wet, mites, blowfly larvae). A god rule of thumb is ten to fifteen days after the nestlings have hatched. Also, if regular nest checks indicate heavy parasite level, replace it then. Also replace the nest if it is soaked and not drying. You may have to repeat this process, but before the nestlings are at 20 days. After 20 days, the nestlings may become too agitated by the process and leave the nest.HowIf the nest is in a martin house, you can put the nestlings in an empty adjacent compartment. If you have gourds, you can put them in a shoe box or a paper bag. Remove all material, scrape the floor pretty well, and sprinkle a spoonful of fresh water diatomaceous earth (DE) on the floor. Replace nest material with pine needles (get them from the yard or from a nursery) or cedar chips (from a pet supply store). Do not use dried grass. Then place the nestlings back in the clean nest.The parent martins will then return to inspect and care for their young. |