Swiftlet Farming is About You know Your Own Swiftlet Farm- Be Smart!

Swiftlet farming involves perseverance and patient. It is also about having the ability to identify what is good for your Bh and persistently continue to use whatever products or techniques that had showed good result.

But many Bh owners fail to do so. Once a favorable result is shown immediately they would stop continuing doing what they did before. They have the tendency of equilibrium, I wonder did they set limits for themselves or this is pure stupidity.

Many of my Readers had called me before regarding this and it is not new. I hate to write about it but they keep on repeating the same mistake again and again.

This morning Mr. G of Alor Setar calls and asks for help.

Mr. G:     James how are you? I am Mr. G of A.Setar.

James:   Good to hear from you. How have you been? Haven’t heard from you for a while.          How is your Bh?

Mr. G:     Not so good lately. Please help...

James:     Not so good lately? …..you mean last time was good and now it is not good?

Mr. G:     Yes, last time it has 40 plus nests now it is almost the same with no increase. Why James? Is there something wrong with my Bh?

James:     It is strange. I remember your Bh has a good start. What did you do to your Bh? I understand your Bh has started about 10 months now.

Mr. G:     Yes after continuous using Love potion, the first 4 months it grows to 40 plus nests. Till now it didn’t increase much. Why James?

James:     It couldn’t be,… increase to 40 plus nests and suddenly stagnated there must be something wrong with your Bh. Did you renovate? Did you do something or add something to your Bh on the advice of some friends of Sifus? You want my help you have to be honest with me otherwise I am unable to help you. I am not joking, if you don’t rectify the problem now your Bh is going to remain 40 plus nests for many years to come.

Mr. G:     Yes James I did something to my Bh……. To be honest I stop using Love Potion after my Bh reaches 40 nests. On the advice of friends I change to another Aroma. Even since that it only increases 1 nest per month.

James:     You can’t simply use Aroma from the market. They are so many brands now. You have seen and witnessed it yourself. Start sound and 4 months 40 plus nests with Love Potion. Why you want to change to other aroma? If you had continued to use Love Potion it could have been 100 or more nests now.

Mr. G:     This is my first Bh and I thought all Aromas are the same furthermore the one I’m using is half  the price of Love Potion and all my friends strongly encouraged me to use this cheaper Aroma. They say it is good.

James:     It is good…? Then how many nests do your friends Bhs have….?

Mr. G:     Emm….. 2 of them started same time as my Bh..10 months ago now have less than 5 nests each. Another one started 3 years ago now have 40 nests. All of them are using the cheap Aroma since their Bhs started.

James:     Mr. G you are dam smart……You are a genius. You will be very successful in Swiftlet farming perhaps 50 years from now. Your Bh started so good witl Love Potion and you kill it.

Mr. G:     50 years from now? I won’t be here.

James:     50 years from now perhaps Swiftlet farming is no longer lucrative. Then nobody is doing it then all birds would go to your Bh lah….ha..ha..ha..

Mr. G:     Ah yah…I got it now…how come I didn’t notice that. Yes lah I remember ever since I changed to the hundred plus ringgit Aroma the nest only increase 1 per month there are times not even 1. I made a Big mistake..lah. Ah yah my friends..lah keep asking me to use that Aroma they said it is good and it is convenient to use. I don’t know much about Swiftlet farming, they use it so I followlah. Real KNNB….@#%*%!. Really can’t listen to them.

James:     Don’t blame them Mr. G it is your fault. You are not observance enough. Everything is right in front of you but you just don’t catch it. You had already seen good result and the nests had reached 40 pieces in just 4 months…why you want it to stop? Isn’t that foolish? I thought you purposely want it to stop…ha..ha..maybe you have got limited quota…ha..ha..Maybe you and friends are very skillful in preventing nests to grow.

Mr. G:     James don’t say like that lah…..I know already now. So what should I do now…please help.

James:     Harvest all the nests that have got not eggs and babies. Immediately stop using that hundred plus ringgit aroma. Spray Love Potion in double dosage to repel the previous Aroma smell. Spray on all walls and the floors also. You need to do this to repel the previous Aroma smell. You have to do this for every 2 weeks for 2 months then your nests will increase. Now you learn your lesson for simply listen to others.

Mr. G:     Screw my friends lah….KNNB#$@%&$# simply encourage me to use that Aroma (XXXX). Please send Love Potion to me as soon as you could.

James:     Sorry Mr. G I could only send Love Potion to you next week, currently those available ones have been booked. I will inform you when it is available. By the way you can afford to waste 6 months what is 1 week time right?

Mr. G:     You like to make fun of me ha Sifu..?

James:     If I don’t do it this way you will never learn right?

Mr. G:     Ha..ha.. you got a point. Ok thank you so much. When you come to A. Setar please let me know I will buy you a big dinner….everything on me ok.

James:     Will let you know if I happened to go there. You take care and don’t simply listen to what other people say. See it yourself, be observance, be sharp….nobody knows your Bh more than you do.

Mr. G:     Yes..Sifu …Ok..Ok..i know already now..Ok.

There are many out there still repeating the same mistake…I hope they will learn.

Be smart! You won't go wrong.

Good Swiftlet farming All!

swifjames@ yahoo.com

012-3173811

Swiftlet ECO Park in Kelantan

Swiftlet ECO Park in Kelantan.
You may contact me.
It's belongs to a friend . Just helping out to promote it.

Good Swiftlet Farming All!
Swifjames@Yahoo.com

Swiftlet Farming in Bintulu.

The 3 storey Bh in Bintulu, Sarawak that designed by me is almost completed. The Owner wants a Stainless Steel door. This is one of the best door I had ever seen. ( I would prefer steel door, much cheaper)

一個3層樓的燕屋農場在Bintulu，沙撈越是由我設計的，幾乎完成了。 燕屋主想要一個不锈钢門。 這是我有史以來看到一個最好的門。 (我會比較喜歡鉄門，比較便宜)



Good door to success. The door to the control room.

好的成功之門。 對控制室的門口。



Worker installing Nesting Planks.

工人在安裝板條。

This is how it looks like before the tweeters. The tweeters shall be installed later.

這就是在安裝高音揚聲器之前的樣子。 之后將安裝高音揚聲器。

Man at work.

工人在工作。

This is how it looks like after completion. This Bh is using Good graded Meranti ( Look at the finishing)

這就是完成之後的樣子。 這個燕屋農場使用好等級的Meranti (看看它的精整)

Here are some of the pictures of the Bintulu Town. Above these shops most are converted into Swiftlets farm.This is a hot area and most of the top Bhs are here.

這是一些在Bintulu鎮的照片。 在這些商店的上面都被改成燕屋農場。這是一個很旺盛的区域，並且大多数的頂級燕屋農場都在這里。

Prime Birds Area, also a sound war zone. Competition is extremely stiff here. There are many Bhs here. Only the best built Bh would survive.

頭等的燕子區域，也一個燕聲的战区。在這里的競爭是非常極端激烈的。 有許多燕屋農場在這里。 只有被做得最好的燕屋農場才可以在這裡生存。

Small entrance holes. Those were the days. Now it is totally a different scenario.

小的入口洞。 那些以前的方法了。 现在它完全是一個不同的情景。

Swiftlets used to build nests below these louvers. 

燕子曾经在這些天窗之下造燕窩。

Even Some Nests are built behind Air-cond ( those were the days)

甚至有些燕窩被造在冷氣機的後面(那些以前的事了)

A 2 x 2 Entrance Hole.

一個2 x 2的入口洞。

Enjoy the pictures.   慢慢享受這些照片。

Good Swiftlet farming All.   大家有好的燕屋農場。

Swifjames@yahoo.com

012-3173811



Gs-9外声和Hypnotic-P9还是最收欢迎的.

一位從沙撈越的讀者昨天打电话给我。一個滑稽但是却很好的傢伙，從Jalan Bakam，Miri打来的，也是一位很奇怪的人，因為他有許多许多的燕聲收集在他那里。 他是一位对燕聲有特别爱好的人。 他只是買。 现在他只想要更多的GS 和Hypnotic的聲音系列。

嗨James，我是從Miri的L先生，你还记得我吗？ 我跟您买过許多的Love Potion..... 我还使用您的Gs-9和 Hypnotic-P9 。 說實話，那是我使用过最佳的組合。

噢，L先生，從Jalan Bakam的，谢谢您的恭維。 我还以为您会使用其他的聲音，据我所知，您有一百多个聲音在您的搜集。 您告訴我，在这几年您買了很多，並且有許多是從邻国那里买的？

James，只有有些是还不错的，但是，我仍然是喜歡您的Gs-9 & Hypnotic-P9的組合，因为在这几个月，燕子继续到來，並且燕窝也继续上升。 您对燕聲真是有一套功夫。

好啦，L先生，我只是设法制造好的聲音来幫助所有的燕屋主，您需知道並非所有的人都像您一样，可以買得起一百多个聲音，然后從那裡選擇最好的。 您知道我不生产許多聲音的。 我的聲音系列不是像餐館里的菜單一样有几頁来选择。 一旦我做了一个声音我确定它是最好的。 您知道我只是相信质量而不是數量。 像您有一百多个，但是實際上好的有多少？ 您知道我的意思是什麼啦… ？。.哈. .哈。

是的James。您是对的…我有許多聲音，但是我只是使用那几个，那几个好的。 其他的我跟别人交換啦… 哈。.哈。.好的我不會交換，只是保留給自己。

James… 我第10间的燕屋农场很快将完成，為了這个燕屋农场我將使用您的GS外声和內部聲音。 只要它是從您的我就很有信心了。

谢谢L先生，因為使用我的Gs聲音。

James，如果您有新的Gs聲音請告诉我好吗。

在市場上有許多的聲音，但是那一个是最適合您的燕屋农场呢？ 我肯定您不可能買完全部和嘗試每一個。一些您可以從朋友得到或免费下載的。 一些声音有不利的影响，而有一些防止燕子停留。 理论上，多数的A.F聲音是相似的，但是它们的不同是在聲調(瀝青)就是这样来區别 (最高重要的)。 當我們做錄音和再混合时，最重要的是必须知道適當的聲調来造成最佳的效果。

暫時为止。

大家有好的燕屋农场!

swifjames@yahoo.com

2012

http://www.swiftletfarmer.blogspot.com/

The Gs-9 External & Hypnotic-P9 are still the most preferred.

One of my readers from Sarawak called me yesterday. A funny nice guy from Jalan Bakam of Miri, a strange fellow too because he has so many sounds in his collection. He is obsessed with Birds sound. He just buys them. Now he only wants more sounds from the GS & Hypnotic series

Hi James, I am Mr.L from Miri remember me? I bought many Love Potions from you….. I am using your Gs-9 & Hypnotic-P9. To tell you the truth that is the best combination I’ve ever used.

Oh the Mr.L , from Jalan Bakam, thank you for the compliment. I thought you’re using other sound as I know you have hundred of sounds in your collection. You told me you have bought them over the years and many are from neighboring countries how it is?

James, only some of them are quiet Ok, but I still prefer the Gs-9 & Hypnotic-P9 combination as the birds keep coming after many months and the nests keep going up. You are really good in bird’s sound.

Ok lah Mr.L, I’m just trying to produce good sound to help all Swiftlet farmers as you know not many are like you could afford hundred of sounds and from there selecting the best. You know I don’t produce many sounds. My sounds collections are not like a restaurant menu few pages. Once I made them I make sure they are good. As you know I always believe in quality not quantity. Like you having hundred of them but how many are actually good? You know what I mean right…?..ha..ha..

Yes James..You’re dam right…I have so many sounds but I only use few of them, only the good ones. The rest I exchange with people lah…ha..ha..good one I will keep to myself no exchange.

James… my10 ^th Bh is completing soon, for this Bh I will use the GS External & Internal sound. As long it is from you I am confident.

Thank you Mr.L, for using my Gs sound.

James, if you have new Gs sound please let me know OK.

There are so many sounds in the Market so which is most appropriate for your Bh? I am sure you couldn’t buy all and try every each of them. Some you may get from friends or download for free. Some sounds have adverse effect, while others may prevent birds from staying. Theoretically most A.F sounds are similar but there are different in tune (pitches) which differentiate them apart (upmost important). While doing recording and remix it is essential that we know the appropriate tune to set in for the sound to create the best effect.

That’s all for now.

Good Swiftlet farming All!

swifjames@yahoo.com

2012

http://www.swiftletfarmer.blogspot.com/

Nitrate and Nitrite...Never Ending

For those who had been calling me and wanted to know what is Nitrate here it is. As far as Swiftlet farm concerned no way it could escape from having 0% Nitrate or Nitrate free. If someone promises you that they could do something that would make the nests or your Bh free from Nitrate that is absolutely Myth.

Due to the Bh’s environment and its condition where the birds live somehow there will be traces of Nitrate. Furthermore nest processors who capitalize on profit use it to enhance color of the nests ( Red nests) making the Nitrate content higher. The below is an extracted from Human Health Fact sheet. So next time when people talk about Nitrate you know whether they know what they are talking about.

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Argonne National Laboratory, EVS Human Health Fact Sheet, August 2005

Nitrate and Nitrite

What Are They? Nitrate and nitrite are compounds that contain a nitrogen atom joined to oxygen atoms, with nitrate containing three oxygen atoms and nitrite containing two. In nature, nitrates are readily converted to nitrites and vice versa. Both are anions, or ions with a negative charge. They tend to associate with cations, or ions with a positive charge, to achieve a neutral charge balance.

Symbol: NO3 / NO2

Molecular

Weight: 62 / 46

How Are They Used? Nitrates are used primarily to make fertilizer, but they are also used to make glass and explosives. These compounds also are used in various chemical production and separation processes. Nitrites are manufactured mainly for use as a food preservative, and both nitrates and nitrites are used extensively to enhance the color and extend the shelf life of processed meats.

What’s in the Environment? Nitrates are naturally present in soil, water, and food. In the natural nitrogen cycle, bacteria convert nitrogen to nitrate, which is taken up by plants and incorporated into tissues. Animals that eat plants use the nitrate to produce proteins. Nitrate is returned to the environment in animal feces, as well as through microbial degradation of plants and animals after they die.

Microorganisms can convert nitrate or the ammonium ion (which is a nitrogen atom combined with four hydrogen atoms) to nitrite; this reaction occurs in the environment as well as within the digestive tract of humans and other animals. After bacteria convert (reduce) nitrate to nitrite in the environment, the nitrogen cycle is completed when they then convert the nitrite to nitrogen. Normally, this natural cycling process does not allow excessive amounts of nitrates or nitrites to accumulate in the Environment.

However, human activities have increased environmental nitrate concentrations, with agriculture being the major source. This includes increased use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers as well as concentrated livestock and poultry farming; the latter two produce millions of tons of nitrate-containing manure each year. Nitrate and nitrite compounds are very soluble in water and quite mobile in the environment. They have a high potential for entering surface water when it rains, as nitrates in applied fertilizers can dissolve in runoff that flows into streams or lakes; they also have a high potential for entering groundwater through leaching. The concentration associated with soil particles has been estimated to be about half the concentration in interstitial water (the water in the pore spaces between the soil particles).

What Happens to It in the Body? Nitrate is a normal component of the human diet, with the average daily intake from all sources estimated at 75 milligrams (mg), or about 0.0026 ounce. Upon ingestion, about 5% of the nitrate taken in by healthy adults is converted (reduced) to nitrite by bacteria in saliva. Further nitrate is converted by bacteria inside the alimentary tract. Certain conditions in the stomach can increase the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, specifically when the pH of the gastric fluid is high enough (above 5) to favor the growth of nitrate-reducing bacteria. This process is of major concern for infants, whose gastrointestinal systems normally have a higher pH than those of adults. Nitrites in the stomach can react with food proteins to form N-nitroso compounds; these compounds can also be produced when meat containing nitrites or nitrates is cooked, particularly using high heat. While these compounds are carcinogenic in test animals, evidence is inconclusive regarding their potential to cause cancer (such as stomach cancer) in humans.

What Are the Primary Health Effects? Nitrates themselves are relatively nontoxic. However, when swallowed, they are converted to nitrites that can react with hemoglobin in the blood, oxidizing its divalent iron to the trivalent form and creating methemoglobin. This methemoglobin cannot bind oxygen, which decreases the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen so less oxygen is transported from the lungs to the body tissues, thus causing a condition known as methemoglobinemia.

Normal individuals have low levels (0.5 to 2%) of methemoglobin in their blood. When this level increases to 10%, the skin and lips can take on a bluish tinge (cyanosis), and levels above 25% can cause weakness and a rapid pulse. At levels above 50 to 60%, a person can lose consciousness, go into a coma, and die. Infants are much more sensitive than adults to nitrates/nitrites, and essentially all deaths from nitrate/nitrite poisoning have been in infants. Long-term exposure to lower levels of nitrates and nitrites can cause diuresis (an increase in the amount of urine, and starchy deposits and hemorrhaging of the spleen).

What Are the Risks? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed toxicity values to estimate the risk of non-cancer health effects from ingesting nitrates and nitrites. The toxicity value used to estimate a non-cancer effect following ingestion is called a reference dose (RfD). An RfD is an estimate of the highest dose that can be taken in every day without causing an adverse effect.

The RfD for nitrate was developed considering the concentration at which methemoglobinemia was indicated at levels above 10% for 0- to 3-month-old infants. This was based on a daily intake of formula made with water containing 10 mg per liter (mg/L) of nitrate as nitrogen. (This reflects the amount of nitrogen within a nitrate molecule, where 1 mg nitrate as nitrogen = 4.4 mg nitrate as measured in the water.) Most cases of infant methemoglobinemia are associated with exposure to formula prepared with drinking water at nitrate-nitrogen levels at least two times higher, or exceeding 20 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen. For nitrite, the RfD is based on a 10-kg (22-pound [lb]) child drinking 1 liter, or about 1 quart, of water every day. The RfD represents a “safe daily dose” and so is

Chemical Toxicity Values

Non-Cancer Effect

Oral RfD: NO3 Oral RfD: NO2

1.6 mg/kg-day 0.1 mg/kg-day

compared to the amount an individual is estimated to take in every day, as a ratio. No adverse effects have been linked with inhaling nitrates or nitrites, so reference concentrations (RfCs), which are used to assess inhalation toxicity, have not been developed. The contribution of nitrites, and indirectly nitrates, to potential human carcinogenicity and the

magnitude of the associated risk are unclear. Nitrites react with secondary amines in food to form nitrosamines, many of which are carcinogenic in experimental animals and exert other toxic effects. While the EPA has not developed slope factors (toxicity values used to estimate cancer risk) for nitrates or nitrites, some are available for nitrosamines.

What Are Current Limits for Environmental Releases and Human Exposure? The EPA

requires that sodium nitrite releases of more than 100 lb (45.4 kg) and nitrate releases of more than

10,000 lb (4,540 kg) be reported immediately and that normal releases be reported annually for inclusion in the nationwide Toxics Release Inventory. The limits for nitrosamines range from 1 to 10 pounds. The EPA primary drinking water standards for nitrate and nitrite are 10 and 1 parts per million (ppm), respectively. The Food and Drug Administration allows these compounds to be used as food additives as long as they are of food grade and are added only in the amount needed. The maximum amount of nitrite allowed in smoked and cured fish and meat is 200 ppm.

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( Note: Now they request the Malaysian produce Birds Nests to be at 34 ppm. Do you think it is possible. )

Good Swiftlet farming All!