S & K BN-16 16-Family Martin Barn
S & K BN-16 16-Family Martin Barn
Designed for use with S&K’s telescopic poles, this durable, lightweight barn provides shelter, space, and privacy for nesting purple martins. Easy to assemble, the barn includes divided compartments for up to 16 families, with enclosed keyhole-style entrances measuring 2-1/4 inches in height and width. Protected from rain by overhangs, 12 of the compartments are 6 by 6 inches with 3-by-6-inch railed porches and white front panels to increase entrance visibility. The other four compartments measure 6 by 9 inches and have a direct entrance in the side of the barn. Though this house does not include the porch dividers recommended by some experts, it does have slots in which you could fashion an adaptation. While no martin-nesting structure is maintenance free, S&K cuts down on the work with slightly tilted floors for drainage and hinged front panels for end-of-the-season cleanup.
The 16 family purple martin barn is made of polypropolene copoly plastic and is perfect for that country home or farm house. This martin barn snaps together easily, requires no tools and is maintenance free. It is very easy to raise and lower when used with the S & K Quad-Tel pole and it only weighs 8 pounds. Those country martins will feel right at home and you will be able to enjoy the company of these feathered friends.
S & K BN-16 16-Family Martin Barn Review
I bought this house about a week ago and within one hour of erecting it on the 15′ telescopic pole I had martins looking at my house and today there are 4-5 on it all day long. I did see several martins in the area prior to getting the house, but I didn’t realize it would attract this much attention so soon.
I debated forking out the $125+ for a good aluminum house, but I felt that this house (at 1/3 that expense) would do for now. As I was putting it together it did feel very flimsy but once you get all the push pins secured it really does firm up! The inside partitions are made of what I call “plastic cardboard” You’ll see it used in many factories in place of standard cardboard so that it will last longer. I’ve used this material for several home made applications and it is much tougher than you’d think!
My only real minor complaint is it’s looks. It just doesn’t have that “old school” martin house look. You know, the white aluminum with green roof… You can definately look at it and tell that it is made from a plastic material. You might be thinking “its a barn, what could look older than a barn…” Well it is a plastic barn!
I am very happy with this house… For the $44 that it cost I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Some day I may buy or build a different more traditional looking house, but this house should stay in the air for a long time!