I was asked to look into the problems of this Swiftlet farm which located in Terengganu. A place, well known for Swiftlet farming. A 3 storey shop lot, where the 2 upper floors are Swiftlet farm. It is an Open Roof type. It attracted many Swiftlets every day. Hundred of them dived into the farm but only a few stayed. The owner had tried everything and still couldn't figure
out where the problems came from. He asked for my help.
This Swiftlet farm adopted the "common design", a design which many Swiftlet farms are sharing, where the Interhole is very near the External hole.
I could say across the road there would be easily 7 out of 10 Swiftlet farms are adopting the same design. So what makes the owner thinks his Swiftlet farm is more attractive or has the
advantages over others?
The advantage of this design is, the light could easily enter the lower floor. But if one doesn't understand the concept of light density it would make the entire Swiftlet farm too bright for birds to live.
The understanding of such concept would enable one to install necessary partitions at strategic places to counter the brightness thus making it a Swiftlet friendly farm.
As can be seen, there are lots of dropping spots at the Entrance hole area. It indicated Swiftlets were attracted to the sound and dived into the OR ( open roof) area . This is a good sign, unfortunately, only a few of them stayed.
The black paint doesn't help much as the light is too strong. I could even see the color of the beam which is light orange. In a low light area often all wall colors turned gray. If one could still see the color of the walls then it shows the internal is not dark enough.
Having an Open concept (few/no partition) of internal is good. It allows Swiftlet to fly freely. But how opened should it be? Light density is very much related or affected by how or where partitions are installed. If a farm is too bright then an Open Concept interior will not works unless few partitions are installed. Bear in mind all partitions must be strategically placed.
This Swiftlet farm is already too bright and yet it is using a hanging partition (wrongly utilized). Does anybody know what is the difference between a hanging partition and full partition? I am sure all knew about that...hahaha. But what are their purposes and usage? Tips: Hanging partition in not encouraged to be used in Swiftlet farms that have brightness problem. Light still could penetrate through the bottom part of the Hanging partition.
Not that you can't use them but personally, I don't like hanging partition as I don't see any advantage of it. Either you use a full partition or you don't . It is simple as that. Many Sifus claimed it helps in air circulation. I don't buy that story. Isn't the Vent hole is for that purpose.
The red arrows show the light reaches the lower floor easily making it too bright. I don't encourage black paint to be used. 2 partitions are needed to reduce the glare.
It is not cozy enough. Even I am inside I can't feel the coziness. Swiftlets like places that are cozy, protected and safe. That is why most new nests in new Swiftlet farms are built at corner board or 90dg area.
Currently, the major issue is the light density problem. Once solved the bird population will increase
Good Swiftlet Farming All.
If your Swiftlet farms have problems and you don't know how to solve it. You may contact me:
012-3173811 or Swifjames@yahoo.com
