Nestbox (side vs top opening)

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From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd@srnet.com>
To: <BLUEBIRD-L@cornell.edu>, <WLInst@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Side-openers.
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 09:18:28 -0400

To the Constituency,
I've never used anything but side-opening boxes, except for 1 front-opener that someone gave me.
I like side-openers for the following reasons:

1. They enable me to have a side view of the WHOLE NEST, almost in cross-section. If there are blow-fly pupae on the bottom I can see them and get rid of them. Sometimes I remove the entire bottom inch or so of the nest, pupae and all, which incidentally makes the whole nest farther from the entrance hole and out of reach of predators.

2. The front-opener that I have makes it impossible to even see the wasp-nests on the ceiling, much less deal with them. With side-openers, a flick of my hive-tool gets rid of the wasp-nest.

3. With the side-openers I can quickly check a box from a standing position, since the box is at the exact same level as my eyes. I don't have to use, stools, ladders, mirrors, etc. Even the contents of the nestcup, (eggs, chicks) are easily visible from where I stand. I'm in and out in seconds, unless some work has to be done.

4. I like to seal firmly and tightly the joint between the roof and the back-board, and this would not be possible with a top-opener.

5. When my one front-opener is open, the board itself is so low that it's a struggle to see the contents of the nestcup. All I can see easily is the lower 3/4 of the nest.

6. With a top-opener, (and I don't have any) I should think it would be difficult to get high enough to get a good look down into the nestcup. And even if you DO get a good look, all you get is a top view, which is not very informative. Often the trouble is under the nestcup and out of sight for someone looking straight down.

Bruce Burdett, in SW NH

From: "david calhoun" <dlcdmd@bellsouth.net>
To: <bluebird-l@cornell.edu>
Subject: mealworms and re top vs.side opening
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 13:52:03 -0400

Hi to all. I have built 5+ boxes ,and made them all side&top opening-like  the advantages of both. One box has just finished laying second batch  (5eggs). thanks to all who answered other mealworm question.have  another one-How deep can I lay the bran? Am using 10 gal. aquarium I put  the bran ~ 6" deep. Is this about right? david calhoun in s'ern IN

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