People often install artificial nests in their new Swiftlet farms to encourage young birds to build nests. There are so many types of artificial nests now, you could buy the ready made ones or DIY.
There are made of soft rubber, silicon, hard plastic,etc. Or you could DIY it from card board, Styrofoam, wood,etc. All served one purpose to encourage young birds to build nests on them
thus increases birds population.
But they have their pros and cons. New nests built on artificial nests are often thin and small. It loses its nest value. Sometimes it is so thin it weights only 1/4 of a full cup nest. If you have many of these artificial nests in your farm then the nest value is badly affected.
Secondly, nests build on Styrofoam, paper, card board, etc have more problems. The Styrofoam or paper is easily stuck to the nests.
( Two new nests on one stick)
( New nest marking on the Satay stick)
Over the years I had noticed this problem. I want something that is similar to the artificial nests but without the cons. No small and thin nests, no artificial nests materials sticking onto the nests, something similar to artificial nests but it won't affect the shape of the nests that built on them.
I came out with an idea of using Satay stick. Best of all they are cheap and easily available. The Satay stick is stapled onto the plank. Once nests are built on them I assure you it is going to be a full cup nest.
The secret and the trick is to soak them into Love Potion over night and install them onto the planks . I use a staple gun to do the job. Install them 1 feet from the corner. After that spray some Love potion on them, just one burst is good enough.
(Satay Sticks soaked with Love Potion)
Now many of my students are doing the same. After adopting this idea, their first harvest of nests from their new swiftlets farms are of full cup nests. No more thin and small nests.
Swiftlets are smart bird. They build their nests only using saliva. The saliva is produced from a gland below their ears. They only produce a sufficient amount of saliva for the nest building and none go to waste. Unlike other birds where they collect twig,leaves,etc to build nests often these materials are plenty and could be found everywhere. Therefore if an artificial nest of a cup shape is installed then the Swiftlets wouldn't make an effort to build a bigger nest.
( Dirt cheap few ringgit only)
( Look, a thin layer of nest stuck to the Styrofoam. How much does this nest worth?)
You would be surprised, there are many things you could DIY for your Swiftlet farm which is much better than those that you buy....in term of practicality, usability and effectiveness.
Good Swiftlet farming All!
