Mr.W decided to call me after reading my blog. He didn't know there were so many things to learn in Swiftlet farming. He thought he had known all that one needed to know.
All this while he thought Swiftlet farming is all about getting someone to install some planks, open a hole and play some Swiftlet chirping sounds and then sit back and wait. He is waiting for the time of laughing to the bank. He waited and waited as time goes by, years after years that moment of laughing to the bank never came.
It is a 3 storey shop lot located in Johor. The 2 top floors were converted into a Swiftlet farm. It had operated for 6 years now and only have a few nests. The Swiftlet farm was built by a very famous consultant at that time. Ever since that he has not done anything to boost up the nest and bird population as he believes Swiftlet farming is all about waiting. Secondly, he has little knowledge in Swiftlet farming.
He had never felt frustrated until he stumbled upon my blog. After reading my blog he realised there are many problems in his Bh and wanted my help.
He wants to know how many tweeters should he installed in the Bh. He wants to know whether the position of the Entrance hole and the Second entrance hole to the nesting areas were correct and etc.
To be fair to him. I told him I am unable to provide all these information unless I could see the Exterior and internal of the Bh. Currently, I am busy preparing my oversea trip unless he could send me some pictures and I would evaluate them and provide him with some solutions to the Bh's problems.
By looking at the picture I knew who built this Bh. This design has been copied and built again and again. There are so many Bhs sharing this same design in Johor. ( what makes you think birds would choose your swiftlet farms as all are the same).The width of the Open roof to the Entrance hole is about 6-7 ft which by today,s standard it is too small. A pond was built in front of the Entrance hole.
We don't build pond anymore as it causes many problems. There are better ways to do it instead of filling up that area with water. Leakage, water sipping into the walls and damage nesting plank. Maintenance is another problem.
Getting rid of weed is not easy and it is a breeding ground for mosquitos. Don't be confused. Swiftlet doesn't eat mosquitos. It was misunderstood by many who have little knowledge about the habitat of swiftlets . Go and ask a biologist if you knew one. It is also a good place for predators to hide to ambush their preys. It can be clearly seen that this Bh is creating its own problem.
This is not the correct way to install the External tweeters. The Tweeters are exposed to sun and rain and it will not last. I wonder the tweeters are still working. The tweeters are taking up the space of the Entrance hole making the Entrance smaller. It restricted Swiftlets from flying into the Bh easily.
The Second Entrance holes to the nesting area, one to the top floor and the other the lower floor. I have seen so many Bhs with this design. Do you think Swiftlets would fly to the lower floor using that Second Entrance hole that is virtually on the floor?
If the hole on the floor works then all Bhs won't need Dog kennel or Open roof which is located at the highest part of the building. Then we all could use the doors to our Bhs as an entrance hole.
It is required, at least 5 ft from the ground for any second entrance. A door entrance would solve all.
No internal Tweeters on all sides of the Nesting planks. Can you believe that? Isn't birds like to build nests around the Tweeters? If that is the case why all Nesting planks next to the wall have no internal Tweeters. Mr.W has to ask that very famous consultant. He should have the answer.
With the small Entrance hole and small second Entrance holes, it has reduced light from penetrating into the Nesting areas. I reckoned that the Nesting areas are already dark enough. I don't see the needs to paint the whole Bh black. But, these Bh walls are all painted black. It confused the Swiftlets.
There are lots of birds droppings on the wall of the Entrance of the second Entrance holes. The droppings are scattered horizontally. It shows Swiftlets turned back as they reached the second Entrance holes. It seems that they refuse to fly into the nesting areas.
Well, there are more which I would like to share with you all through observing the pictures but to be fair to Mr.W let visit the Bh first.
Mr.W really needs to revamp the Bh if he wants to stay in this investment. Swiftlet farming is an investment. To me, it is the best investment which could yield a very good extraordinary returns which no other investment could compare.
Good Swiftlet farming All!
Need more information contact James 012-3173811
