He had called me many times I had deferred the appointment due to my other work load. I told him that I would only be available on every 2nd week of the month. Without hesitation he straight away making hotel reservation and arranged all the necessary things for me....well with all these planned & arranged I couldn't defer the appointment again.
His farm was built and managed by a well known..Con.... whenever he query about the 2 nests in 2 yrs the Con.. will tell him to wait. Con.. will tell him Swiftlet farming is all about patient. No patient don't invest on farming. So he waited and waited, finally he terminated the services of the Con.. and decided to do it on his own.
Yet from here he couldn't find the clues of how to make a successful farm. He had tried many ways yet the result still futile. Finally he decided to call me and thru our conversation I explained to him the criteria of a good & successful farm. From here I was asked to help to revive his failed farm.
It was a beautiful weekend, I hope I don't have to wake up early, but not this weekend as I have farm to visit. I reached this town after driving for couple of hours.
( This is the town with Swiftlet farms)
Mr. Reader was happy meeting me the 1st time. He drove me around and showed me farms around the area, some are just located few kms away from his farm. His farm was located in an area that has few successful farms. There were many birds playing around those successful farms. Thru my observation I could conclude that some of these farms easily harvesting 2-3 kgs of nests per month.
How come his farm is not performing. There must be some underlying factors that need to be checked.
Before my visit, thru the phone I had asked Mr. Reader about his farm's condition. His reply was everything is perfect. I was surprised to hear that. I wonder if everything is perfect why there are not birds. I probed him again what about the Temp, Rh, light,etc again " everything is good".
I keep my reservation and wait till my visit.
It was a 20 x80ft, 3 storey Stand alone located in an Oil Palm plantation. The Vegetation was good here. How come no nest I wonder why'.
As I enter the farm I could feel that the temp was out. It was so hot even on the ground floor. This will affect the Rh. I had brought along my Hygrometer and my temp gun when I checked it , I was right. As I moved to the 2nd floor more things were discovered.
( Red Ants on the floor)
The were ants everywhere. There are Red ants on the walls and some even on the nesting planks. I asked the Mr.Reader ' what did you apply in your farm and on the planks. He replied " many things as long I heard someone claimed it to be good I will try". When I probe further I was shock to hear what he had applied to his planks and walls .
There are many people advising other to applied things that have no relation, whatsoever related to bird in farm, this is purely a MYTH. It will do more harms than good as all these things will invite predators.
One of the biggest mistake was the Inter-Hole it was located on the wrong place. The entrance hole too, was placed at the area making hard for birds to come in. The birds would find it very hard to go down to all floors further more there were ants , Lizards and cockroaches everywhere.
( Inter Hole wrong place)
The sound system was out as most of the tweeters were burned. The Internal & External sounds were of those low quality sounds that wouldn't attract & persuade swiftlet to build nests. The sound was not attractive enough. It was those sounds that anyone could buy from the market or Con..
That is not all the construction of the building didn't take consideration of the sunlight that shine on the wall that created heat. Totally lack understanding of how a Stand alone should be built.
I explained to him and told him that if he wanted to turn around his farm it would be costly as almost all criteria of a good farm were not there.
Sad to say so "It was a real shabby works ". I really sympathise with him. How could someone build a farm like this.
So for now I have to come out with a plan to revive the farm removing some of the walls which are not needed. There will be many hacking to be done and adding insulation materials,etc.
It will be a long list of things to be done. Mr. Reader accepted my advise. Well there are works again to be done...but I am busy....
I shall be traveling more to his farm as they will be plan to be drafted & discussion with the local contractors as well as many discussions with Mr. Reader.
Never mind helping other to turn around their farms is a great challenge for me. Every time when a failed farm is turned around and within months nests & birds increased the satisfaction is at the Peak for me man.........Especially the moment you receive screaming calls from the owners thanking you for what you had done.
Solving another failed farm!
.