It is not once a while anymore, it has been quite often now I received calls from Readers asking weird questions. In fact it is not weird questions but silly questions. From the questions they asked I knew how well and how little they know about Swiftlet farming.
With such growing number of people like this going into Swiftlet farming how can the Swiftlet farming successful rate improve? I guess it would be very hard and it is a sad thing for this Industry.
One of the classic questions asked by one of those who called me is as follow:
“Mr: James I want to revamp my farm. Birds don’t build nests in it. Could you help me?
“I replied who is it on the line? Oh I am Mr.T from Kelantan”
James: Who built the farm for you?
Mr.T : Oh… I built it myself …..(Very proudly said) but I don’t know why not a single bird goes into the farm since I opened the sound.
James: Not a single bird ….that cannot be. Usually the moment we switched on the sound birds would go in within minute.
Mr.T: There are no nests in it. How come? I cannot wait I want to see nests!
James: Well there are lots of things you need to make it right before birds start to make nests. Perhaps you have done it wrongly or there are something that you may have overlooked.
Mr.T: No..no.. Mr. James …I know what I am doing. All the things are correct. I am very sure. As far as I am concern the farm is very good. I designed it I know what is good and bad.
James: Since everything is good then it should have bird nests inside. How long have you started the farm?
Mr.T : Oh …..just 2 weeks only.
I almost wanted to vomit blood talking to such person like this.
James: 2 weeks only??????? And 2 weeks you expect to see a full cup nests?
Mr.T: Yes of course. If not 2 weeks then how long? I expected by 6 months time I can harvest at least few 3-5 kgs of nests.
James: Just to build the nests, Birds takes up to 40-45 days (depends on season) that excluding adaptation which sometimes takes months before they come into the farm to stay. In 2 weeks after opened the sound you want to see nests? You’re very skillful and knowledgeable ha….and well respected ha?
Mr.T: I know quite a lot one, among our group I am the most skillful. My friends always say that I know lots of things about Swiftlet farming that is why I designed and built the farm by myself. They encouraged me to DIY. Now I headache because not even one bird going into my farm.
I laughed till almost drop dead.
James: No wonder no birds go into your farm……probably you are too skillful.
Mr:T : Really ah? Too skillful birds don’t make nests in farm? If not 2 weeks can see nests then have to wait how long ?
And the conversation goes on and I also go on laughing…..ha...ha.ha….and I have the best laugh.
Imagine with such shallow knowledge he thought he knows everything and undertake the construction of the farm what would be the outcome?..... FAIL 100% Guarantee Fail!
Don’t even know the habitant and the behavior of the birds and daringly designed a farm. That is why the failed farm rate is going upwards.
Most who undertake to build farm by themselves always thought that they know the most. Can’t blame them this is human nature.
There're many like Mr.T, I guess 70% swiftlet farmers are from such category. Hope you all don’t follow Mr.T's footstep.
Good Swiftlet farming All!
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