Cool Birdhouse

pinshape

This is a double shell, solar-vented cool birdhouse, printable in one piece. Your chicks will definitely appreciate this! A drain is located at the bottom of the birdhouse and two rings of ventilation holes are situated at both the bottom and top of the inner shell, while another ring of slots and holes adorns the bottom and top of the outer shell. Any sunlight that hits the outer shell triggers a convection cycle with cooler air being drawn in through the lower ring of slots and rising to exit the large holes, keeping the inner shell and nest cool in the process. A sturdy post and ring join the two shells at the top for a secure hanger. The roof's design, lack of a perch, and gap between shells make it extremely difficult for predators to reach the eggs or chicks. No bird bath is included because chicks won't appreciate the resulting disturbance or encouragement of predators, and the opening is high enough that the chicks won't fall out before they are ready. Please let me know how you do! I used http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2194 as a guide to design. Sizing - check. Heating and cooling - check, but there's no insulation for winter except covering exterior holes to trap dead air. Proper drainage - check. Safety - check, while there's no metal plate, two openings would have to be enlarged, and a squirrel would have trouble hanging on anyway. Mounting and access - check/fail. There is no cleanout plug - you'll have to use a hooked wire and fish out all the nesting materials to clean it out. Look at v2 for one with a removable CD bottom.