Video Link:

‪‪https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkGsCEdk-4c

Notes:

Main test is for the Gilbertson PVC Nest Box. Other boxes added for comparison.

Results:

The Gilbertson PVC Nest Box performed rather poorly reaching 104.5°F at 91.2°F ambient at 4:00PM.

The Weathered Seaford Box was again very hot reaching 105.3°F at 91.2°F ambient at 4:00PM.

Conclusion:

The Gilbertson PVC Nest Box is not a very good design with regards to cooling. This could be due to a lack of good top cross ventilation and/or other factors.

The three factors tested in these experiments are Color of Box, Ventilation and Heat Shields. All three are significant but color of box is the most important.

Recommendation:

Use a light colored paint and/or heat shields to protect your nest boxes. Also make sure your boxes have adequate top cross ventilation. The best cooling is obtained using a combination of light color, good ventilation and light colored heat shields.