No I do not have any BH there. Went to visit my aunt.
Surprised that the shops have such improvement in 8months.
My cousin said the area have difficulty producing high quality nest due to too inland, but this statement remains unverified.

I did see bats in the residential area after sunset.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
*update July 17*
Yesterday went to turn on humidifiers, mix ammonia with dropping , clean spiderwebs & cockroach carcass.
My partner went up the roof the check tweeters and a bat flew out from a small gap beside the dog kennel.
It have been living in the ceiling after the pigeons were evicted. A few pages ago in this thread somebody mentioned my faulty timer playing 40minutes late into 8:40pm would attract bats, this became reality.
We tried to block the small broken openings with clumps of black netting and spray EM in ceiling in an attempt to reduce the smell. It is not easy to climb inside the ceiling space as a wrong step will crack the ceiling board so there were at least 3 more small holes that could not be reached to be sealed up. Hopefully the bats will not return.

Thank you lowyat forumers for providing solutions to my troubled BH.

This post has been edited by BirdNest_Satay: Jul 17 2011, 01:28 PM

If this conference and training tells you how to produce good quality nests that meets the standard of the World Health Organization and sell into China's market, the fees charge is chicken feed! It is still good to know the trends even if you are new to swiftlet farming.

Take a look at speakers listed here, http://www.unisza.edu.my/icotos/index.php?...mid=117〈=en

http://www.unisza.edu.my/icotos/index.php?...mid=110&lang=en

This post has been edited by swift4ever: Jul 17 2011, 08:55 PM

I was there and left after 20 minutes not because I didn't pay for the fee which I didn't and smuggle myself in but left because it's boring....... I have 2 from our Association attending and maybe tomorrow session will be exciting I hope.

There was one booth selling a book on how to process birdnest nest for Rm120 and for those newbiz and those who want to know about processing EBN, it's a nice book with pictures clearly explaining how to do it. Another interesting tool for measuring standard of EBN like C,B,A or AA similar to my three last fingers A, 2 fingers C and in between B id you don't understand. Unless you have small fingers, fingers size should be similar.

Others, nothings really worth looking into like ECO Parks investment. fire extinguisher, Aroma and Perfume, etc and etc same same..



This post has been edited by West Wing: Jul 18 2011, 07:44 AM

What I am concerned about is the future directions of safety standard of our bird nest exported to China. hope thare is an in-depth discussion on the acceptable levels of the nitrate content from the bird nest and new technology to elimiate or reduce the nitrate levels before they are exported. Well this is all for the health of consumers after spending so much money to improve their well beings. I am sure China's government like all other governments is happy to see their citizens live a healthy life and be grateful to Malaysian farmers to contribute to their health care plans. In return, import more local product into their shores.

From what I heard, the formal course attended cannot be use as the V-dept comes up with a new 1GP course and to get the license to operate, one must has the new 1GP certificate; again another fees to pay to the V-Department and the course is similar to the formal course provided by the V-Dept, I can predict.

Oyes, the 1GP booklet will be sold for Rm15 and can be obtain @ V-Dept thru internet and Dr. F stressed that no one should photostat the booklet as it's copyrighted and copying is a serious offence.......... copyright OK but why don't allow Malaysians in the buz to copy if cannot get one copy which The authorities want all in the buz to know and follow; let all copy and learn if that's what the Govt. wants.

Again that's my personal opinion only.

Hi, I bought the guide book from Putrajaya about 1 month ago. The lady was encouraging me to buy more copies as she told me that they are not going to print anymore. Guess there are still stock available.

Good day.

Guyz i am about to start in swiftlet farming.. Please Please advise me how to start? I have just read Dr Lim Book but it's not enough!

How to know more? What ewlse to read? Do i have to attend Dr Lim seminar?

Thank you

Please help me!!

Bro,
allow me to comment,
1. dont rush into it,
tip: there will always be swiftlets in a billion years
2. take your time to study and research the subject well, it may take up much longer than you ever thought
tip: learn from the mistakes of others as you dont live long enough to make all of them
3. books may help a lill but not much
tip : my personal recommendation , books by nugruho ( 1. the guide book of breeding swiftlet 2. the secret of swiftlet farming)
4. more importantly talk to experience farmer
tip: this is an industry where experience RULE
5. internet is the best available resources, the forums, and many blogs, and go thru the details....
tip: you might gather a few ideas as you move on

... i will continue.

if you dont have the time, then look for the consultants (and you nightmare starts from there on)...
and they will suck every blood in your vein..


best wishes

This post has been edited by Ayah Embong: Jul 20 2011, 05:54 AM

You can read v1 where TS wrote about he first BH project start up.
Yes please attend seminar to fast tract your foundation knowledge in swiftlets farming.

I doubt anything has been changed in the GAHP for swiftlets.
There are other GAHPs for various other animals under their jurisdiction...
If you read them all, one would realise the similarity and why the GAHP for swiftlets appear to be meant for aliens.
They're mere duplicates with the appropriate parts amended.

The bulk of the material for 1GP concerns PBTs.
Maybe the PBTs will run courses too.
And each dept concerned print their own little booklets and make it compulsory to own one as a condition for the license.
I already think that they are infringing on our constitutional right by stipulating the need to be an assoc member.

Have you guys have a look at the DVS registration form for your BH?
One would think that one is applying to be member of a political party or religious school or govt aid or all 3.

1)Kawasan Parlimen
2)Kawasan Undangan Negeri
Why is this their business? Incase the birds crosses constitution?

3)Agama
Must dead birds be accorded the appropriate rituals?

4)Marital status - Belum, Sudah, IBU TUNGGAL?????

None of the above has anything to do with their core competencies nor their job towards the public nor swiftlet santuaries.

This one beats them all....
They ask for birthdate and yet still ask for your age!!!!
Champions!!!!!

Reminds me of something I last read on their site

Vision
A competent veterinary authority serving the animal industry for the sake of human welfare

The above 'vision' has been online for I dont know how long.
They are telling the world they are now incompetent and their vision is to be merely competent.

I share all these without malice just my way of keeping them on their toes and an opportunity to improve over time if they so choose.
I gain nothing by making them look bad...they are already doing a good job of it without my help.

Authority has been dragging its feet on so many issues and among them, current swiftlet keeping issue still
remains a big issue as far as pollutions and complaints are concerned. When this forum is started in Mar
2007, we have discussed everything about the industry, techniques, tips, tricks, complaints, actions and
reactions, and now 1GP. , And if you care to recall, the very first topic for discussion put forward as quoted was "First and foremost u need license to do so...any complains from the public due to the noice pollution (in attracting the swiftlets) and also hygine will not be compromised by the authorities. The laws has gone stricter by the years due to SARS outbreak."

So for quote of the day "....The laws has gone stricter by the years due to SARS outbreak ." - It is still far
from coming true as of today.

As for the DVS registration form, if they don't suffer from CRS(can't remember shit), could be that all of us are new birds, not meant to see any signs of doomsday.

This post has been edited by swift4ever: Jul 20 2011, 10:20 PM

What do you mean by that? Are consultants not good?

Can we meet up and have a chit chat? We might be able to share ideas. I think my strongest area would be in building and renovating as i could source material cheaply. I am manufacturer of aluminium and sawmill (timber).

---

Added on July 20, 2011, 9:59 pmAnd where can i get those books> Couldnt find it on the net!

This post has been edited by edmondhong: Jul 20 2011, 09:59 PM

not all consultant are no good, most of them are suckers. it would be much better if you understand the subject matter well. however as i said the books would only give you the basic idea what needed to be done. like temp = 28 deg c, umidity = 85 rh
light intensity = 2 lux . no cross ventilation, etc etc,

the swiftlet farming is unique and .. doing right the first time is vital.

there are many people here that would be able to assist you edmond.

you can get the books and whatever you need for the farm from Sam, klang.

any swiftlet farmers here from sarawak?

Hi Edmond

Which state you are in? Will KIV your info for wood for future use when and if I build my own BH

Thank you.

---

Added on July 21, 2011, 10:40 amTo Swiftlet2011

Any message please post here. Thank you.

This post has been edited by TinkleBell: Jul 21 2011, 10:40 AM

Hi WW,
I have decided to try building a BH in a rubber plantation. The size is about 4 acres. Three sides of the plantation are planted with mature palm oil trees. One side is directly next to the main (chaah-bekok) road. River is about 2-3 km away. Nearest BH about 4-5 km away. It looks like the flying path for swiftlet. Location: 3km away from Bekok town.

Before starting anything, I would need help in performing the "bird-call" to determine the success rate.
It would be great if you are willing to help.

Cheers

Dear All
Muchos gracias to u who have shared yr knowledge on this form.
There's a wealth of valuable info
I too am new to this - havent built yet.
I have been reading V1, dr Chris's book and pooling knowledge with a friend who does know something abt this subject.
I plan to build a BH in Kg Kuang/Sungai Buloh area ( its 'behind' Rahman Putra golf club.
Does anyone know if this is 'swiftlet territory' ?
(I do see a few swiftlets around)
How do i conduct a 'site test'?
Quoting AyahEmbong above, what / where is Sam,Klang ?
Many thanks

bro,
you can do yourself on bird test...
when we just started, abt 3 yrs ago
a good friend paid 'well known" consultant RM 1500 to do a bird test. excluding food and lodging
we were a bunch of fools, we thought "bird test" is like , mining gold and or looking for oil, where we need expert to do..
and the report was encouraging " land suitable for swiftlet farming"
he built a massive 50 x 160 , 4 storey..
after one year only 1 nest..
...

so bro, diy and evaluate your own bird test..

again to me, rubber plantation is a no no.. but it is your money.. who knows.

---

Added on July 21, 2011, 3:08 pmhere. sam's site.

http://swiftfarmequipments.blogspot.com/

This post has been edited by Ayah Embong: Jul 21 2011, 03:14 PM

Thanks AE !

Yeh! not all consultants are bad infact none are bad but some have very little experience and become a consultant without even knowing well the trade.

Case history

My friends and I were talking in a coffee shop 3 years ago and the shop owner joined in as he told us that he is interested to start a BH on his own. He did asked many questions......

3 years later, I have coffee in this shop and my friend told me that the owner has since become a consultant for the trade and is giving up coffee shop buz by the end of the month as he doesn't make much money from coffee shop and now, intending to go full time consultancy. Consultancy in BH must be big money earner, I guess.

See, a less then 3 years experaince guy can become a full time consultant, cos there are so many Malaysian out there who don't know a thing about swiftlets sanctuaries buz........

So, before engaging a consultant for your BH, you must at least understand the basic of doing BH; the art and science of swiftlets ranching, then you may be able to tell if your consultant is a lprofessional or not....whether he understand what he is doing or saying.

Mix around with fellow BH owners, cos they will be able to guide you well as they have the experience behind them and also the failure so that you would not do it again. These, no consultant can tell you cos they are busy making profit from the new investors of the trade..........ike the EPark guys claiming that you will become millionaire in a few years and convince you to dream on and like under spell, you gave all your retirement saving to them.......with no concrete agreement/assurance that you will get all your investment back.

Remember, like good salesman, they are just doing their job to convince you and if they convinced you then they maybe not good consultants but certainly good salesmen....