The pricing are based on the sizes of the nests, the thickness, how clean it is (without feathers) , moist retention in it, the color, shape ( red),etc
Good quality nests are those that come in a full cup size. It doesn't crack and doesn't have holes on it. The saliva lines are perfectly jointed and it looks bulky and fuller. It looks a little shiny as the the moist on it is just adequate.
(good size of uncleaned red nests)Red nests are priced higher than white nests this is due to it scarcity and the demand from consumers. Cleaner nest with less feather could fetch higher price. The red nests is consider the best quality.
White nests that are clean and have less feathers on it, usually came from force harvesting where the eggs were removed. These type of nests looked white, normally it would be around 8gram each, 125 pcs per kg.
( cleaned white nests)Those that are categorised in the average quality, are those that have lots of feathers and impurities (kutu, birds dropping,etc).
These nests normally came from nests that had been left by birds. In this category there are divided into two groups , less feathers and lots of feathers. Obliviously
the more feathers and dirties ones are cheaper in price.
Another type is the one that came from force harvesting before the birds lay eggs (rampasan).
The nests from such harvesting is white and clean with less feathers the size of nest is usually small and some are in complete. It will be lighter in weight.
Broken nests or nest flakes are priced lowest. This is the result of poor skill of harvesting and the micro habitat makes the nest deformed. Besides that, it is also due to the nests being eaten by cockroaches and insects.
Nests from such category have holes on it, dry and break easily. It is smaller in shapes. This type of nest would fetch a lower price compared to the above.
( deformed shape nests)Therefore internal habitat (micro) play a very important role in nest quality. If the internal habitat is out of the preferred range then it will affect the nests quality. In long run it will also affect the birds population.
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