Birdhouse Gourd Design How To Make A Gourd Birdhouse With Kids

How do you decorate birdhouse gourds?

5 Ways to Decorate a Gourd Birdhouse

Leave It Natural. Nature does a great job decorating gourds without any help. ...
Pyrography (woodburning) Gourds are a great canvas for pyrography (woodburning). ...
Painting. Paints are a great way to add vibrant color to a gourd. ...
Alcohol Inks. ...
Spray Paint Stenciling.

What birds will nest in a gourd birdhouse?

Gourds make fine homes for several varieties of cavity nesters, including bluebirds, swallows, chickadees, wrens, woodpeckers, great crested flycatchers, titmice, screech owls, kestrels and nuthatches.

Do gourds make good birdhouses?

There are several different types of gourds that make great birdhouses. ... For larger birds like the purple martin, they prefer a 9-10” kettle gourd. For wrens, chickadees, and most other small birds, a kettle gourd from 6-8” in diameter works best. Dipper gourds and bottle gourds also make great birdhouses.

How long does it take to dry a birdhouse gourd?

Good air circulation is key to properly drying them. The outer shell of the gourds should be dry and hard in a few weeks. The insides will take up to 6 months to dry. Be aware that as the insides dry, the moisture escapes through the skin.

How do you clean a birdhouse gourd?

I recommend using a mild bleach solution to clean gourds. This makes sure there is no live mold on your gourd that could continue to grow or make anybody sick. Simply add a bit of bleach to your soak water. You need very little.

How do you seal birdhouse gourds?

Spray the gourd with a water seal. This will help to preserve the birdhouse for years to come. Hang. Pull twine or fine wire through the holes in the top of the gourd and hang the birdhouse in a area that is easy for you to see but sheltered so the birds will be safe from predators.

How do you dry a birdhouse gourd?

Spread the gourds out on top of newspaper sheets in a well-ventilated, dry garage. Arrange the gourds so they aren't touching and turn them once a week so all sides dry evenly. Dispose of any gourds that develop soft, rotten spots during drying.

Where do you hang a gourd birdhouse?

Hang your gourd birdhouse outdoors in early spring before the birds arrive. Attach it to a post or tree with plenty of space between houses. Position the house with the opening away from prevailing winds.

What colors attract birds to bird houses?

Birds like red, yellow, orange, and white. These are good colors for a birdhouse. Pink, fuchsia and purple are also some top bird feeder colors. Apart from colors, you may also want to use the right seeds to attract bees and birds.

Should I put a perch on my birdhouse?

— No perch necessary. Most cavity-nesting birds can cling to the outside of the box without aid, especially if it's natural wood. Perches actually help other birds or predators who may harass the nesters.

What size should the hole in a birdhouse be?

Optimum Birdhouse Hole Size for Cavity Nesting Birds.

Bird Species	Entrance Hole Size	Entrance Height*
Bluebird	1.5” (3.8 cm)	6” (15cm)
Chickadee	1.25” (3.2cm)	6” (15cm)
Flicker	2.5” (6.35cm)	4” (10cm)
House Finch	2” (5.1cm)	4” (10cm)

How long does it take to dry a gourd?

Depending on the size of your gourds, the entire process of drying can take 1-6 months. First, you'll notice that the outer skin will harden and the colors will begin to set. This generally happens in the first few weeks. The internal drying takes place next, which usually takes another 4 weeks.

How do you paint a birdhouse gourd?

Step 1: Sand. The first step to cleaning up the gourds is lots of sanding. ...
Step 2: Drill. Using the 1" Forsner bit, drill a hole in the main cavity of your gourd. ...
Step 3: Paint. Depending on your style, you can paint the gourds however you like or finish them with a clear sealant. ...
Step 4: Hang.

How do you clean a dried gourd?

Steps to cleaning a dried gourd:

Soak that gourd in water with a few cups of hydrogen peroxide or bleach for 20-30 minutes. You may need to submerge them by laying a wet towel on top of them to hold them under.
Put on gloves and a face mask. ...
Scrape off stubborn mold.
Dry the gourd, then sand off any leftover skin.

Can you dry a pumpkin like a gourd?

Find a dark, cool, dry and well-ventilated place to dry the gourds (damp rooms can cause the gourds to rot). Place them on a wire drying rack for proper air circulation, making sure the gourds do not touch. If possible, use fans to dry them more efficiently.

What is the best fertilizer for gourds?

Gourds are fertilized the same way as cucumbers and melons. Incorporate 5-10-10 or a similar fertilizer (6-12-12) into the soil at planting, at a rate of 4 pounds per 100 feet of row. When the plant runners are 12 to 18 inches long, fertilize again spreading the fertilizer at least 18 inches away from the plant stems.

Why are my gourds dying?

If pollinated, the little gourds under the female blossoms will turn into actual gourds. If not pollinated, then they will simply shrivel up and die.

Do you put anything in a birdhouse?

Many cavity-nesting birds will add their own nest material, but the woodpeckers, waterfowl and owls prefer nest boxes with 2-3 inches of dry sawdust or woodchips in the bottom. Place the box carefully. Put your birdhouse up on a sturdy pole, post, tree, or under a house eave. Freely swinging birdhouses are rarely used.

Is gourd dust toxic?

The number one concern when working with gourds is that you protect yourself from breathing in particles of gourd dust, which can contain harmful mold. ... Breathing in dust or mold particles can be hazardous to your health down the road.

How long can gourds last?

Ornamental gourds that have been properly dried to preserve their natural color can last for years. You will need to use the two step curing process. The first step dries the exterior of the gourd and takes about one week.