This picture was sent by a good friend from Vietnam. He wants my opinion and comments. It is a huge 4 storey Swiftlet farm located in Saigon.
I couldn't tell much about the Internal as I have not seen it myself. Well, as for the External Design there are few things I could share here.
Let's start from the top the Entrance Hole. This Swiftlet farm opted for a Dog Kennel design. The advantage of the Dog kennel is, it reduces the light (glare), it also slows down the wind and prevent it from entering the farm. It would be good for Swiftlet farm located in areas that have strong wind.
By looking the Dog Kennel design, it seems it has defeated its main purpose. It has been cut into half and looked more like a "D" shape. Does this "D" shape really helps in attracting birds? The answer is definitely "NO".
The owner must have seen somewhere, probably a successful Swiftlet farm with the same "D" design, therefore he followed.
I still remember there is one Swiftlet farm in Ho Chi Minh city where I had visited a few years ago, where birds flying in through the chimney of an abandoned factory that had been turned into a Swiftlet farm. This particular Swiftlet farm is quite successful. It was understood that the Birds were already making nests in this abandoned factory before they turned it into a Swiftlet farm. This kind of success can't be applied or imitated as Swiftlet had already occupied the factory.
(Factory turned into Swiftlet farm)
About 50 meters away from this successful farm there is one Swiftlet farm which has the similar design. It was understood that the owner purposely copied the design as he thought the Chimney type is the best design, but he was wrong.
His Swiftlet farm didn't attract many birds after a couple of years. From here it has clearly indicated a similar or a copied design will not guarantee success.
The "D" shape Dog Kennel has narrowed the passage to the rowing area as it makes flying difficult. This would cause restriction in maneuvering. Birds hate this, it doesn't mean this Swiftlet farm would not have nests in the near future, but the question is how many nests and how fast it could attract birds to stay and make nests.
Secondly, given the building of 4 storey and the height between floor is quite high, this would reduce the light from reaching the 2 lower floors. Coupled with the tall Dog Kennel it is inevitable that the 2 lower floors will be in total darkness, hence it would not be inhabited by birds.
Though this Swiftlet farm looks good with all its Balconies and Porches, but the setback is, it provides space for Predator to hide and perch for ambush. Even pigeons and crows would stand at the ledges and this would frighten Swiftlets during home coming at dusk.
Well, here are my comments viewing from a picture from outside. Hope this information would help those intended to build Swiftlet farm.
Good Swiftlet farming All!
A POWERFUL AROMA HORMONE THAT
WILL GUARANTEE POPULATION INCREASE