(Live Bait Sticking Trap)
This is how you can catch predators effectively in Swiftlet Farm. Simple, economical and deadly if you would like to call it. This is a trap that predators cannot and will not resist, a lively tender young chick an easy prey awaits them.
This idea came to me when I realized that the predators that we are after are cunning and they love eating Swiftlets. If I want to trap them successfully, I need to put a live Swiftlet in a cage as bait. Using Swiftlet is totally out of a question as the cage is too small it would die in captivity. I need a bird, small in size and could live in a cage, can be fed and easily available. I want a bait that could move and run that would churn up the aggression of the predators. This would trigger their natural instinct of attacking, just like a dog sees a rabbit it will go beyond crazy.
So a chick is the solution, furthermore, I could buy it from shops that sell Chicken feed. If you live in the rural areas there are plenty especially at the Pasar pagi market ( morning market). Get those that are a week old, too young it may not survive the Swiftlet farm environment which is damp and cold at night.
Make sure you get a strong and tough cage. I have incidents of cages being ripped apart. The cage is to protect the chick, I am sure we wouldn’t want the chick to get hurt. The chick risks its life to help us to catch the predators. We should protect the chick.
Put water and chicken feed in a bowl that could last 2-3 days. (Use Small Mineral Water bottles cut them into half just good enough for the chick to reach. Tight them firmly to the edge of the cage.). You may check the Farm every 2 days. If the predators are around within hours they will attack the cage.
I use some old and unwanted nesting planks joint them together making a square shape. Put the cage in the middle of the square with 2 red bricks on top the cage. With the bricks on top the cage the predators won’t be able to lift the cage. This is to make sure the cage is at all time positioned in the middle. With the red bricks on top the cage the predators especially Hawks and Owls have to mount an attack from the side of the cage. This is where they are tricked to step on the Mouse glue around the cage.
I use planks because they are heavy, once the predators are stuck it will hold them to the ground. With this technique often it could catch more than one predator. Make sure you use the Mouse glue generously, too little it won’t work. The width of the planks should be at least 6” or more too narrow it won’t hold the predators well. The glued planks should be 6” away from the cage. This is the best distance where it could easily allow the predators to walk from side to side of the cage. You may also nail the planks into the floor if you want.
Place the trap in the roving area, this is the place where the predators would emerge. I won’t recommend the trap to be put in the nesting area. Once the predators are caught when they are not dead yet, they will frighten all the birds in the nesting area. Therefore it is better to place the trap at the Roving area.
I have taught many of my readers about this “Live Bait Sticking Trap” which I had named it. They are very happy that I have shared this knowledge with them. They often asked me, “ James what can we do for you in return for teaching and sharing so many great ideas with us”
My reply was simply “If you caught a predator with this trap take pictures and email to me”. It is as simple as that. If I could share my knowledge with all my readers I am sure you could share your experience with me.
If you catch any predator with this Live Bait Sticking Trap please email the pictures to me I will post them on my blog to share will all.
I was wondering should I patent it. Ha..ha… huh….
Good Swiftlet farming All!