KUALA KRAI..IT IS NOT ONLY ABOUT LOCATION

The most highly  anticipated and talked about Swiftlet Eco park that was built in 2011, now has become a Swiftlet Ghost Park.

70-80% of the Swiftlet farm here is not running, means without sound or water supply. I guess most owners had given up hope. Electric fuse boxes and water meters were removed, either by the authority ( unpaid bills) or by thieves.

Windows and front shatters were removed by thieves. It is an abandoned town. I though it was  supposed to be a gated Eco Park with security, but it is not.

For those who have a Swiftlet farm here knew which Swiftlet Eco park I am referring to.  Yes, it is the Kuala Krai Eco Park which launched about 3 years plus ago.

There are about 60 units here, only a handful still operating. There are no best Swiftlet farm here. The best ones barely touch x...number of nests. The rest totally failed.

No one wants to build a failed Swiftlet farm. There is a saying " No one plans to fail but  failed to plan". But as for this  Eco Swiftlet park it seems it was planned to fail.

Why I am saying this? Well....lets see below the inside of the farm you would know what I mean.

I was in Kuala Krai last week on an invitation of Mr. Y to salvage his Swiftlet farm. He has a unit here. It was not easy to get one when it was launched 3 years ago. It sold like hot cake. People talked about it. Those who have bought it considered lucky. The feeling was like striking number.( 4D)...laughing all the way to the bank. In reality it is not so.

The name "Kuala Krai" does has its effects. A place of million birds but don't forget whatever numbers of birds in the sky it doesn't belong to you if you failed to build a Swiftlet farm that could attract them to stay and build nests.  Mr. Y has done everything but to no avail.

He has attended seminars, has read many books but still couldn't figure out why his Swiftlet farm failed. He is not alone.....there are many who shared the same faith as him. They could blame it on the location, on the timing and on luck and faith, but they didn't realize it is more that.

I was there to teach and help him to find out what are the underlying causes. Out of curiosity I asked him ..."why did you engage me to help you as there are so many so called experts and Sifus out there? He replied " you included citation in your writes ( blog) where others don't...that really impressed me".

Oh.....I see. I was just  trying to make it easy for people to understand. There is a saying " If you can't explain in details to others that means you are not sure what you are writing".

  (a Ghost town)

 ( Window removed ...stolen)

 ( Grass and weed are everywhere)

Mr.Y's Swiftlet farm is a pre-renovated unit. It was done by the developer. In other words most of the farms here are ready made. In such cases, the developer must be skillful and has vast knowledge in Swiftlet farming otherwise how could it undertake a huge project like this.

 Thus the chances of success is high. I am sure most would think the same. "Such a huge project must be by experience and skillful people". Don't forget we are here to build Swiftlet farm not Shop lots or houses. Yes, shop lots and houses you need reputable developers but Swiftlet farm you need people who knows the behavior of birds. Why I am saying this again?  See below picture.

This is a Swiftlet Eco park, which means, it is built for one purpose only " Swiftlet farming" the building and its design should accommodate what Swiftlets want.

The person who designed this building should know the limitations, advantages and disadvantages as well as Swiftlet flying behavior. This would enable him to create an environment that is friendly to Swiftlet.

But the 7 feet wide roving defeat the whole purpose. Why a beam is erected 7ft from the wall? Birds need a minimum of 12 ft to have a smooth manuvering. This not a normal random Shop lots where we have to improvise its structure if we were to convert it into a Swiftlet farm. This is a Swiftlet Eco park. It is specially built for Swiftlet farming, why it is built this way? I think you all already have the answer..

The beam shouldn't be there if this is to be a Swiftlet farm. This really hit my head, does this person know what he was designing? Well I am not going to eleborate on that person Swiftlet farming skill. You judge it yourself.

Secondly the entrance hole from far left with a  fall of 24 ft right to the 1st floor with a sharp 90 degree turn would be impossible for young birds to negotiate that turn. Unless the width of the roving is more than 12 ft ( minimum) , but as you could see it is only 7 ft. So the problem arise here.

From the observation  I knew why this farm was made this way. Because of the narrow roving of 7ft, the distance between  the 1st entrance hole and the 2st entrance is very close therefore light could easily penetrates into the nesting area. To avoid this the builder has no choice but to opt for a small 2nd entrance hole so as to reduce the light. Small 2nd entrance hole is not good for Swiftlet farm. He is creating a mess and covering up the mess at the same time. I wonder did he know that? What say you? Definitely he didn't know otherwise he wouldn't have created a 7 ft roving.

So it doesn't solve anything. The catch is " Why want to create a mess at the first place?

To reduce  the light further he painted all roving, ceiling,etc black. This really kills the farm. Often people always ask me is it necessary to paint the farm black? My answer is " NO".

Because the farm's design itself has already reduced the light density, which means we already know the exact darkness we wanted with the partitioning and the sizes of the entrance holes prior to building the farm. If black paint is needed, often it is painted at the roving not the nesting areas.

If after the farm had been built then only the whole internal is painted black it shows the person who designed this farm did not anticipated or know the out come of the light density. To him it is more of a guessing game. "Build first if it  is too bright then paint black". Building a good Swiftlet farm shouldn't be like this.

Because of  this practice now it has been a norm that all Swiftlet farms must paint black. It is very misleading. And it seems many Sifus still encourage people to do the same.

The Tweeters formation is totally fail. Only 2 tweeters on a roll of 10 planks. Tweeters at the edge of the wall are most important . These are the places where young birds build their nests. Why no tweeters here? To save cost? 

Probably he has been influenced by the technique of having more tweeters installed at the middle of the farm which has been misleading many people. Birds fly in a circular motion , if  birds were have to stop and hang definitely at both side, left and right not at the middle.

Now you could clearly see the importance of understanding of birds flying pattern. If you don't understand how they fly how could you create an environment that are friendly to their flying patterns?

8 Vent Holes on both end of each wall. Too much movement of air. Sometimes I wonder, is it a Vent hole competition. See whose farms have the most the more the better. Most have perceived the purpose of  Vent hole is to cool down the farm. If Vent hole could cool down the farm effectively then why we need double layered bricks wall, double roofing,etc? Just build a single layered wall Swiftlet farm and put as many Vent holes as possible. Perhaps every 2 inches 1 Vent hole. This would save cost and time. In fact most failed farm are associated with plenty of Vent holes.

Too many exit. The birds could access both floors by the staircase and the second entrance hole. It  seemed it was designed more for the convenience of people rather than birds. This is an Eco Park they should have known this prior to building. It confused the birds. Light ray came from more than 2 areas. Young birds that are yet to fully develop the echolocation sound would circle both exit until they tire and drop dead. To them these might be the exit.

Structural this building is not created or designed for birds. We just have to accept it this is market economy, this is how it works. It was built because there was a demand.

There are hundred of mistakes here which I can't finish writing. Mr. Y knows what I mean. I explained every each with detail...as he had said "citation". I guess this is the best way to help people to understand.

Now you know why a Swiftlet farm fails? It is more than just location. Kuala Krai...how could it fails? A land with millions birds. As I have said before and I will say it again. The rule of the thumb is...We are here to build a Successful Swiftlet farm not a building. But in reality 90% of the people in Swiftlet farming is building a building.

Since 80% of the farm here is no longer running therefore it is to M.Y advantage if he revamps it now as competition is at its lowest.

So it is not just about location. It is all in a package in order to have a good successful farm. The design, sound system, internal enviroment, Aroma enenhancement etc.

Good Swiftlet farming all.

最佳的蟑螂毒藥 Best Cockroach Poison

使用了多種類型的蟑螂毒藥之后。我發現這些仍然是最有效力可以消滅整個蟻群的毒药。

蟑螂生活在族群，在一個單独的窝里可一多達數千只。它們晚上爬出来寻找食物。

千万别轻视它們。你可能没有在您的燕屋农场里看到它們，這並不代表它們不存。你會很驚訝，也許有几百只躲在木板的後面。

蟑螂吃燕窩，咬小燕子。幾天大的幼燕子没有羽毛是它們的最愛。它們不能保護自己，容易受到攻擊。如果你看見死了的小燕子在地板上，最大的可能是蟑螂已經入侵你的燕屋农场。

它們是無聲殺手，夜間入侵你的燕屋农场在你最意想不到的時候。

這些是蟑螂毒藥，我經常使用的兩種類型。它有效地殺死整個族群。一旦吃了它們不会立刻死亡，這樣它們就有時間会去他們的窩。一旦死了其他蟑螂將以它們為食。死蟑螂裡面的毒藥將轉移到那些吃它們的蟑螂，結果更多的蟑螂會死，最终整個族群会被产除。

害蟲防治應该每2-3個月做一次，即使您没有看到任何的蟑螂跡象。

有很多蟑螂毒藥的品牌在市場里。多數是用来防螞蟻和蟑螂。我更加喜欢使用這些因為它們是特製用来殺蟑螂的（指定和專業）

大家有好燕屋農場 ！

Best Cockroach Poison

After using many types of cockroach poison. I discovered these are still the most effective ones that could kill the entire colony.

Cockroaches live in colony as many as few thousands in a single dent. They craw our during the night and find food.

Don't take them likely. You may not see them in your farm it doesn't mean they are not they. You would be surprised few hundreds of them maybe hiding behind the nesting planks.

Cockroach eat Nests and bite baby birds. Few days old baby birds without feathers are their favorite. They can't protect themselves and prone to get attacked.If you see dead baby birds on the floor chances are cockroaches have invaded your farm.

They are silent killers, invade your farm during night when you least expected.

These are the two types of cockroach poisons which I often use. It kills the whole colony effectively. Once eaten they don't die instantly so that they would have time to go back to their dens. Once dead the other cockroaches will feed on them. The poison inside the dead cockroaches will transfer to those that eat them and as the result more will die and eventually the whole colony is wipe-out.

Pest control should be done once every 2-3 months even if you don't see any sign of cockroaches.

There are many brands of cockroaches poison  in the market. Most are made for Ants and cockroaches. I prefer to use these because they are specially made for kill cockroaches ( specified and specialized)

Good Swiftlet farming All!

并不是容易要建立自己的燕屋農場 IT IS NOT EASY TO BUILD YOUR OWN SWIFTLET FARM

幾個月前我去了這個燕屋農場。它位于彭亨州，在靠近Rompin的一個小鎮。3層30×80的燕屋農場就在一條小溪旁。一個完美的養燕地点和那個小鎮聞名的一样东西就是"燕窩"。

這個燕屋農場屬於T先生，一位燕養的愛好者。他完全由自己設計了這個燕屋農場。他从所謂的养燕技能書，养燕論壇，當地的师傅，部落客 （不是我的部落格） 等等获得了养燕的知识。有了十足的信心，他雇佣了当地的承建商，建立了這個燕屋農場。那是整整3年前的事。

從外面觀察有太多的通風孔。我希望T先生知道如何管理和控制他們。這個燕屋農場做得不是那么好。T先生曾嘗試過許多东西......他曾試改造它，但是後果仍然是一樣。燕子飛來了，但是它們没有留下。肯定有什麼地方出錯了，他想不出。因此，他決定打電話給我，請我幫忙。這是一個大的燕屋農場，內部環境的管理是一項艱巨的任務。空氣的流通太多了。

它並非易事，但有經驗和技能，我相信它可以翻身。

当谈到安全的時候，他真的知道自己在做什麼。這個燕屋農場是防小偷的。從裡面雙鏈式的鎖。当打开了前面的鋼門之后，有一扇木門。木門後面还有另一扇鋼門。

一个很引起我注意的件事是控制室。它是燕屋農場的第二个入口隔开的。本身就是一个房間，铁花鎖與卸扣。我在想真的需要这样吗。好吧，這是為了防止珍貴的燕声被盜竊。

絕妙的主意，是它並非罕見，的确有燕聲在燕屋農場里被偷走了。我的燕屋農場就經歷過。他们不只拿走了燕窝而且还有燕聲。但是令人驚訝的是，他們却把放大器留下。他們真的知道他們在做什麼。#%$@#$##

他選擇了開放屋頂式，一个12x12尺的打開，然後到最后還有一個門類型的第二个入口在左邊来導致燕子飞到作窝區。所以，換句話說它是90度轉向左邊。我不喜歡這種類型的設計，除非燕屋農場是很小或者已经建好的大樓選选择有限。

但是這不是T先生燕屋農場的情況。這是一個计划然后才建的燕屋農場。他可以做他想要的設計與測量。為什麼要限制到90度的大轉彎呢？這是一個大的燕屋農場有巨大的空間，可以適應任何一種設計。這種設計限制燕子順利的飛行進入。

使情況更加惡化，有一个大水槽放置在燕子的飛行路徑下。這將阻礙燕子飛進这个燕屋農場特別是在黃昏回家时段。一个黑色的水槽在昏暗黄昏的燈光下，就好象入口洞。小燕子可能撞上它。

每一層樓的高度是18尺。那是必要的嗎？我的答案是"不"。

我問T先生，"你為什麼建造这个天花板那么高呢?"他回答說，"許多师傅說越高越好，燕子喜欢"。

我又問："那麼將來你打算如何收穫燕窝呢?"

他回答說，"哦，沒有問題。我會建造一個有轮的梯子以便可以推它"。

"是誰教你這样的T先生?"我問。

T先生回答："哦......從論壇和互聯網的那些师傅"。

其实，這是非常誤導的。它显示這些教导T先生的师傅在養燕完全沒有任何經驗。他們对採收燕窩的瞭解很少。我可以自信地說他們從來沒有在过有超過3000个燕窝的燕屋農場里收穫燕窝。

他們僅僅是分享彼此的思想和想法，但這些意見和想法可能不實際或不適用。一个僅僅停留在理論和思想的想法。

所以現在T先生的燕屋農場，實際上，是他們的试验白老鼠。。。一个让他们測試想法的地方。

如果有进入超過3000个燕窝的燕屋農場的人。他會知道燕子屎是那么的厚。至少有1-2寸厚......，或甚至更多。那么他如何可以推动有轮子的楼梯呢？它將会卡着。轮子不會移動。除非那個燕屋農場沒有燕子屎，那么轮子就可以滾动。如果出現這種情況，那么就不需要一個梯子。没有燕窝，沒有燕子屎。不需要收穫......所以不需要有轮子的梯子。

其次， 18尺的天花板需要又高又大的轮子梯。它必須很堅固否則它不會站立。至少需要2寸的L 槽鋼来做結構。它必须是實質的这样就变的非常沉重。因此，它是100%不可移动的。這就是说它不能折疊或壓縮性。它不可能容易的隨身攜帶所以每層樓必須有一台轮子梯。

因為它是一个整体的轮子梯，必須长时间放在燕屋農場的內部。它會阻礙年輕的燕子飛行。尚未開展回聲定位的幼燕子會撞上梯子。

没有壓縮性性的轮子梯也成为了貓頭鷹和其他食肉動物達到木板上的燕窝的站台。

由于小轮子梯是长期留在燕屋農場，燕屋農場里的高濕度環境內，並且还有燕子屎產生氨，在很快的情况下，它會腐蝕。

我在想这些任何的师傅在出這個主意之前，是不是有想過這些困難才鼓勵18尺的天花板呢？絕對没有 ！

差劲的高音喇叭编排。正如我們所知，年轻的燕子建立它們的第一个燕窝在較近牆壁的角落。為什麼一些人还是安裝高音喇叭在中部。并不是高音喇叭不能安裝在中間的部分，或者嚴格限於牆壁的地方，但是至少應该優先考慮牆壁附近的地方。

他一定是從某處或某人學會这些的。為什麼這個燕屋農場做得不好？簡單......因為它不適應燕子想要的东西。事實上，它違背燕子想要的东西。

正如我所說过，燕子飛翔在一個盘旋的方向。它們转很多的圈在內部才掛在木板上。如果你觀察這你會知道它們打算在那裡做燕窝。

通過瞭解燕子的行為，它將帮助你設計和構建一個良好的燕屋農場。如果你不懂，不知道什麼是燕子的行為，那么你可以和燕子說再見。

除此之外，這個燕屋農場的設計有支柱在裡面。燕屋農場不應該有任何的支柱在裡面，因为燕子有可能会撞上。也許T先生對此一無所知。我有寫过關於在燕屋農場內部有支柱的缺點和它是應該避免的，但是仍然有很多人一次又一次的重複同樣的错誤。

這個燕屋農場有兩個互连洞。一個互连洞是让燕子飛上和飞下的。另外一個是樓梯。我不鼓勵這種設計。它会混淆了燕子和它適應的過程慢下來。如果一個人站在底層可以從兩個地方看見一束光。樓梯和互连洞。現在那些燕子都感到困惑。它們不得不迅速作出決定要在使用哪一個。後來......一旦它們飛出它們將永不再回來。

這些都是只有極少數的問題......還有更多。

我已经指出所有他应该做的东西。我教他如何觀察燕子的飛行习惯。

他感到驚訝。現在他才发觉到他对養燕的瞭解有那么的少。

大家有好燕屋農場 ！

IT IS NOT EASY TO BUILD YOUR OWN SWIFTLET FARM

I had visited this Swiftlet farm couple of months ago. It is located in Pahang, in a small town towards Rompin. A 3 storey , 30 x 80 Swiftlet farm stands next to a stream. A beautiful location for Swiftlet farming and that small town is famous for one thing "Bird Nests".

This Swiftlet farm belongs to Mr. T, a Swiftlet farming enthusiast. He designed this Swiftlet farm all by himself. He acquired the so called Swiftlet farming skills from books, forums, local Sifus, blogs ( not my blog),etc. With sheer confidence he engaged a local contractor and built this Swiftlet farm.
That was  exactly 3 years ago.

Observing from outside it has too many Ventilation holes. I hope Mr.T knows how to manage and control them. This Swiftlet farm is not doing well. Mr.T had tried many things....... he had tried to revamp it but the result remains the same.  The Birds came but they don't stay. There must be something wrong somewhere and he couldn't figure it out.Therefore he decided to call me and ask for my help. It is a big farm, managing the internal environment is a daunting task. The movement of air is too much.

It is not easy but with experience and skill I am confident it can be turned around.

When it comes to security he really knows what he is doing. This farm is thief proof. Double chained locks from inside. After opening the front Steel door there is another wood door. After the wood door there is another Steel door.

One thing really caught my attention was the Control room. It is separated from the entrance of the second door to the Swiftlet farm. A room by itself, grill locked with shackle. I was wondering why it is necessary. Well, this is to prevent the precious Bird Sounds from theft.

Brilliant idea, yes it is not uncommon to have Bird Sounds stolen from Swiftlet farms. I had experienced it before at my Swiftlet farm. Not only they took the nests but the Bird Sounds as well. Surprisingly they left the Amplifiers. They really know what they are doing.   #%$@#$##

He opted for a Open Roof type, a 12 x 12 ft opening, then towards the end there is a door type second entrance hole on the left which leads to the Nesting areas. So in other words it is a 90 degree turn to the left. I don't favor this type of design unless the Swiftlet farm is small or a ready-build building where options are limited.

But this is not the case for Mr.T 's  Swiflet farm. This is a plan and build Swiftlet farm. He could do what he wants with the design and the measurement. Why limit to a 90 degree turn?  It is a big farm there are huge spaces to accommodate whatever design. This design restricts the birds from flying in smoothly.

Making it worse a water tank placed right at the flying path of birds. This would obstruct birds from flying into the farm especially during home coming at dust. A black colored tank imitates an Entrance hole during low light at dust. Young birds may bang on it.

The height of each floor is 18 feet. Is that necessary? My answer is "NO".

I asked Mr.T, "why do you build such a high ceiling?" He replied, " many Sifus say the higher the better and birds like them".

I asked again, "then how are you going to harvest the nests in future? "

 He replied, " Oh no problem. I will build a ladder with trolley so that it can be pushed".

"Who teaches you this Mr.T?" I asked.

Mr. T replied, "Oh..those Sifus from forum and internet".

If fact, it is very misleading. It shows those Sifus who taught Mr.T totally have no experience in Swiftlet farming. They have little knowledge about nest harvesting. I could confidently say they had never harvested any nest in a Swiftlet farm that has more than 3000 nests.

They were mere sharing their ideas and thoughts but these ideas and thoughts may not be practical or applicable. A mere theory and idea.

So now Mr. T' Swiftlet farm is practically their guinea pigs.....a place to test their ideas.

If one has gone inside a Swiftlet farm that has more than 3000 nests. He would know how thick the bird's dropping is. Easily 1-2 inches thick...or even more. Then how could one pushes the ladder with trolley or trolley ladder? It will stuck. The rollers won't move. Unless that particular Swiftlet farm has got no bird shit then the rollers could move. If that is the case then one doesn't need a ladder. No nests, No shit.. No need to harvest...so no need trolley ladder.

Secondly, an 18 feet ceiling needs a very high and big trolley ladder. It has to be solidly built otherwise it won't stand. L channel steel of 2 inches at least is needed to make the structure. It has to be solid thus extremely heavy. Therefore it is 100 % not portable. That means it cannot be folded or collapsible. It can't be easily carry around so every floor must have one trolley ladder.

Because it is unfoldable the whole Trolley ladder have to be place inside the farm at all time. It will obstruct the flight of young birds. Young birds that have yet to develop the echolocation will bang on the ladder.

The unfoldable trolley ladder works as a stand for Owls and other predators to reach the nests on the nesting planks.

As the Trolley ladder is kept inside the farm's environment of high humidity and dropping that produces amonia in no time it will corrode.

I wonder has any of the Sifus that came out with this idea has ever thought of these difficulties before encouraging an 18 feet ceiling? Definitely not!

Poor Tweeter formation. As we know young birds build theirs first nests on corners which are closer to the walls. Why people still install Tweeters at the middle. It is not that Tweeters can't be installed at the middle sections or strictly restricted to wall areas but at least the priority should be given to areas near the walls.

He must have learned from somewhere or from someone. Why is this Swiftlet farm not doing well? Simple....because it doesn't accommodate whats Swiftlets want. In fact it goes against what Swiftlets want.

As I have mentioned before, Swiftlets fly in a circular motion. They circle many rounds inside the nesting areas before hanging on the planks. If you observe this you would know where they are going to build their nests.

By understanding Swiftlet behavior it will help you to design and build a good Swiftlet farm. If you don't understand and don't know what is Swiftlet behavior then you can say good bye to Swiftlet farming.

Besides that this Swiftlet farm was designed with the pillars inside. Swiftlet farm shouldn't have pillars inside as Swiftlets could bang on them. Perhaps Mr.T didn't know about this. I have written about the disadvantages of having pillars inside a Swiftlet farm and it should be avoided, but many still repeating the same mistake again and again.

There are two Inter holes in this farm. One is the Inter-hole which made for birds to fly up and down. The other one is the staircase. I don't encourage such design. It confuses the birds and it slows down the adaptation process. If one stands at the ground floor a ray of light can be seen from two places. The staircase and the Inter-hole. Now the birds are confused. They have to make prompt decision on one which to use. Later..... once they flied out they will never return.

These are just a handful of problems....there are many more .

I have pointed out all the necessary things that he needs to do. I taught him how to observe birds' flying patent.

He was surprised. Now he realizes how little he knows about Swiftlet farming.

Good Swiftlet farming All!