Barn Owl box query

[The Woodman]

Has anyone used plastic barrels for Barn Owl boxes in the horizontal postion?

If you have, I'd be interested in hearing about their success or otherwise.

I've been looking at some American designs that show an interesting version of the reclaimed barrel type with an internal divide for the nest area.

My only experience (plastic barrel type) is of the upright barrel box as used by the FC in certain areas.

[snake]

Hi Woodman,

We have been using small plastic barrels and boxes for a while now.
Both owls and Kestrels use them. Face the entrance in a southerly round to westerly direction and if possible away from the prevailing wind.
Put a good layer of peat on the floor of the barrel, any birds in the area will soon make use of them.

This one has been up for about ten years now and is used every year.

[The Woodman]

That's brilliant, snake, thanks for your reply and image.

Just three more Q's

1. Do you use the barrels with approx dimensions 1m high and 0.5m diameter?
2. Is the entrance hole 5"-6"? Metric and Imperial measurements!
3. Do you put a shallow divider inside?

Thanks again.

[snake]

Hi Woodsman,

In the wild owls choose nest sites of all shapes and sizes so your barrel size will be ideal giving them plenty of room.
The best size to cut the hole is 6" ( 15cm ), make sure the hole is towards the top of the box. This helps to keep out the draughts and keeps the youngsters in until they are big enough to climb up.
Dividers are not necessary and only make it harder to clean out.
The other thing I would add would be a shelf outside the hole for the young to sit on as they leave the nest.
You might find that once an owl is in residence it may just use it for roosting. It can sometimes take a couple of years before they use the box for breeding.

Best of luck

[diggleken]

Hi Woodman,
I dont know how much you know already, so this may be useful too........
http://www.xexexexexexexexexexexexe....on_Trees_2.pdf
edit - this may work better!
http://www.xexexexexexexexexexexexe....age.html?Id=41
Apparently not - just go into The Barn Owl Trust then.
They will need to be secured properly of course and have drainage holes - I notice the Barn owl trust are also concerned to ensure the owlets can get back in even if they cant fly, as they do go out a bit - and as plastic is slippy, a means of helping with that would be good.
I appreciate Snakes success, but a shelf would be sensible I think.
And of course postion near a good food source and known Barn Owl area so they will see the hole easily.
Good luck
Cheers
Ken

[Dogghound]

Put them up in pairs as well if you can. Gives the male somewhere to roost, the fledglings often use it too.

[The Woodman]

Snake, diggleken and Dogghound

You've given me the very advice and tips I was looking for, brilliant.

I shall be putting a pair of such boxes up in the next couple of weeks.

Thank you all and I'll do my best to add an image or two to this thread when they're up.

Regards

The Woodman