Heath Purple Martin House modification from 12 Rooms to 6 Rooms - Cutting out Walls

Modifying a Heath Purple Martin House by taking out 6 walls to make more room for nesting birds. Rooms are too small, so taking out 3 walls on each level, will create a 6 room house, with much more room. Two level house.

[@maynardcat]

Interesting video but your air compressor drowned out everything you said, you could also reuse the metal you removed by gluing it over the hole.

[@manko717]

I use the plastic plugs designed for the holes. More metal just increases the heat. Before the birds fledge, here in Texas, it's already in the mid 90s, everyday. Why use more metal, if you don't have to. I can use the metal for a different project. I prefer the plugs., plus I can pop them out when I clean the compartments, at the end of the season.

[@olsonlr]

Once you cut the back wall loose why don’t you just bend it over and use it for a block to stop up one of the holes? Instead of completely removing it?

[@manko717]

I would not, unless you are going to modify. They get too hot for the young birds, and the compartments are way too small. Some of the nests can have as many as 5 eggs or more. The Heath house cannot accommodate that many. Round holes are no good either. You have to go with the Troyer Gourd System - if you want to really get the job done. I have a video posted on that, too. My birds love the Troyer Gourds. Heath house will be gone in 2017 - getting another Troyer Rack System. Check out the Perches I came up with, for the Gourd entrance. Andrew Troyer likes the idea - but my Martins really enjoyed the perches.
I posted a video with the birds using the perches. Hope that helps - but the birds need room to nest and feed - Heath houses don't get it done. If some nestlings are late - the heat here in Texas kills them. You have to vent the gourds, also. Keep the vents capped when the nights are still cool, then unplug them when it warms up. I am going to add a second vent, next year, to each gourd.