Welcome and since you have found that this forum is so interesting, then read all the past postings and learn well....meaning keep the good ones and leave the bad ones out.

As for you DIY Swiftlet BH, you need to ask questions that you don't understand...........or attend a seminar on the swiftlets if you don't understand anything at all. Many Sifus will guild you on the way but then you must take the first step and the initiative to bring forward your problems.

BHs in town esp in Sarawak are facing alot of problems with the greedy and mindless authorities waiting to make a killing like the great white sharks if you know what I mean. If the disease spread out, Sabah maybe next and who know if the virus can fly over to the peninsular Malaysia. Hope that our Sarawak Swiftlet Ranchers and friends can come up with a cure in time to prevent the spreading......

Years ago, my friend's BH has the similar problem like your's and it's OK after the following treatment. This is caused mainlyy by the humidifier and can be solve by moving the humidifier to another location and placing a hoof over the top to prevent the mist from reaching the wooden plank otherwise you maybe moving your problem to another location. Then, Clean off the fungus off the affected planks and my friend's BH was saved by this method.

If you don not remove the fungus, no bird will build its nest there, by then you have plenty of other place for them to build nest or unless, you have a similar situation like my friend, almost all places taken up...............Fungus require high humidity and correct temperature for growth and you BH has all the conditions for them to grow......by removeing the wetness, you will prevent the fungus from expanding and will save BH. Think of it, some fungus fetch high price, grow fungus...hahahahaha just a joke, my friend and no offence. As always, the above is my little encounter with fungus and we won.....other may have their opinions and may wish to share.

OK, I start this forum is for everyone who wanted to buy and sell birdnests, a forum where buyers and sellers can meet and discuss about the present situation of the birdnests market. A place where there is no loser only winners, I hope. A forum where everyone can buy quality healthy nests at cheap price. At present down turn of the world economy, we look back to Malaysian to give them some of the world best bird, Malaysian Birdnest and it going at a bargain. Instead of selling the nest cheaper oversea, I rather offer to buyers personally and what I mean are buyers, the ones that know what good for their families and want to buy original and quality birdnests at cheaper price...........

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Added on November 2, 2008, 10:59 pm"From KohLoh to me

IF I POST THE TRUTH OF NOW CONDITIONS ,,U GUYS WILL SHIT....
NEAR TIME $2700 N GOING DOWN"


So, if the buyers are offering so low a price giving excuses and putting fear on the BHs owners whom are so worried about the present situation.that the price is going lower and lower, I shall start offering my nests to the public if they want to buy at Rm4000 per KG semi cup and lesser if quater cup. I will teach them on how to clean the nests. Win Win situation as I will get better price for my nests and the public will get cheaper nests by processing the nests themselves. Now, Malaysian public can afford to have birdnest for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper..............

This post has been edited by West Wing: Nov 2 2008, 10:59 PM

Kohloh...Kohloh, my friend..... you seem to be anti BH owners and if you are really a buyer, you should have protect the industry and think and think of win win way out for the industry. What you have been pm to me are all criticizing and condemning the BHs owners like as if they are stupid and know nothing. The industry is big enough for all. Nowaday, the prices are no realistic but cause by greedy Big Guys in the industry trying to kill off small Buyers and forcing the price down giving alot of excuses ........ it is a temporary setback due to the world economic situation but then Bird nests is still so little compare to other commodities like Ginseng, Sharkfins and other expensive herbs. Are their going down? These things, I really need to ask those who are in the buz and I know nothing about herbs and sharkfin....

To process nest for export is difficult but to process for local consumption is rather simple and that I have been doing it for many years and demand exceed production but I have not interest to go into the processing business in big scale. Don't really need the extra cash lah.

Buy nests if you want and if you don't want, but never complaints and criticized. Quote your price and the sellers agree, then transact but sellers can also counter offer................if no dealing, we can still be friends but do you need to criticize and bla bla bla....why?

Anyway, I do appreciate and thank you for providing latest feedback to me on the nest price, market situations, news and market analysis but I rather you post at the forum for everyone to know. No offend intended.......

This post has been edited by West Wing: Nov 3 2008, 12:54 PM

Join Association for Birds Ranchers and learn how to grade your nests so you would't be short changed. Let me tell you that different buyers have different requirements, some want white but other want it big and some just want the cheapest ones only. Like some buy corner ones only. And some want everything. All the BHs owners want is a fair price for the nests.......after all, it's god's gift and must treasure well and be well rewarded.

That's my own little experiences and buyers please do not be offended.

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Added on November 5, 2008, 1:34 amHow you clean it off is one matter but never use water as H2O cause the problem in the first place. My friend scaped it off and it work for him. So far, for the fungus problems, we need not remove the plank but you want to, well, it is a good solution but an expensive and tiring one.

Remember, that's my friend's way of solving the fungus problems and in fact many BHs using the humidifiers do have or had the fungus problem before.

So, others may have other methods, too.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Nov 5 2008, 01:34 AM

Wow...just back from HK! and thank God, the sky is still the same....

With recent BHs' problems, low price and world's situations, I believe most would be investors and ranchers will wait and see before stepping into this industry or any other industries. Shares are dropping like bird shit and also Birds nests.............

Any way, we would like some experts view on your products to prepare us for next opportunities and future expansion at right time. Any Sifu out there have try on the products?

Begging your pardon but I never sold any Birdnest below Rm3800 per Kg for the past 8 years but this time it will be bad. If anyone told you that a few years ago that the birdnest price was Rm1k then it must be broken nests and that I have sold even more. The highest price that I got for the white gold was Rm6500 per kg.

This time, it is a different story and that there are too many sellers and no buyer and the world situation is not helping either. Even oil price will be dropping so is our palm oil or rubber and also our precious nest. We will survive as even at Rm1K, we still make profit but I won't not sell my nest at Rm1K not even at Rm2K but then it is my own opinion and that I am just doing my part to preserve that price of the birdnest.

In bad time is also a best time as in bad time, goog oportunity as plantation land will be cheap to invest and to build BH later................. as Time will heal and good time will be back as it is a cycle in life. Position thinking always my friends.

Above are my humble opinion.

Problems and more problems, worry and more. Any more news and at present, it seems all news are bad news. Maybe some readers have high contacts and will try to help our friends in trouble. I phoned up a friend and he told me that the F. government is going to have meeting on the matter to solve the different diretive from the districts and states. How true is the information, I really don't know...

Sitiawan BH ranchers are strong and I believe they must have form a Association to look into the matter and to prevent the local council from taking the action..............last resort, got a court order to prevent them form destroying the BH as in Sarawah. Let the court decide and this may take years and years after appeal and appeal............by then, it maybe a new world and a new new govt if the present govt doesn't help us. We, the ranchers will only support the parties that support our life's work, saving, blood and sweat in the future election.

Again, these are my own opinion and little understanding and pardon me if offend anyone.

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Added on November 25, 2008, 8:17 amAs to my little understandings, Any thing will just do as birds don't care what we use as long there are no smell. Using Meranti wood is because that it is easy to use and light to carry. and it is cheap compare with some others and can last a little bit. Thailand even use aluminum or cement but then I would prefer Meranti as it has been proven to be effective and successful.........maybe you wish to experience with others like plastic or polycarbonate or anything........again these are my humble opinion and understanding and othere may have their opinions to share.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Nov 25 2008, 08:17 AM

Today, the Star reported that a state deputy minister said that swiftlet must stay in cave and if they canot stay in BHs. We didn't cage them and they come and leave as they please, so what's the problem? By forcing them to leave and killing off the chicks, what type of animal protectors are you?

Those in power are really gila and tak sekolah. They don;t even know what they are taking and where are their brain, down under lah>>>

Remember all Swiftlet ranchers....this is getting very serious and we need to be united. for that I mean the whole of Malaysia....if we let one state down, domino effect will occur one after another. Help prevent one from going down and the rest will survive and that's my opinion. Join Association and make sure that the Association's BODs are on our sides as so are for their own gain or having own agendas. If they are not on our side, kick their ass so they stay straight. Support your Association to be strong but be fair and kind to your neighbours as they too have right. Sound seem the most problematic and some BHs are not helping and cooperating either.

Cooperate with the local council to keep the peace so that the local council guys can sleep peacefully, too.............. that's my opinion.

Yes, there are already alot of Swiftlets Associations in almost every districts and every states so what are you all doing......demand your rights from the Associations and insist your rights!!! Get your BOD to do their work........if not, kick their ass and if it doen't work. you know what you can do!!!!!!

Associations are there to solve your problems but then you must also do your part by supporting their actions. Now, the first thing to do is to go to your Association together and try to solve the problems. If Penang Association do not accept you all as members, then something is very wrong with those incharge and they are trying to get to your monies and not to save the industry. They should accept all your applications for the sake of the Industry and I really don't understand their action unless they are on the opposition side. Forming a new Association is abit late now but must be done if the present one does not accept all. What must be done now is to get a neighbouring Associations to assist and represent you all in the matter if the District, State and country Association do no help to solve the problem.............sometime we do need to compromised, too... all my own view and opinion.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Nov 29 2008, 07:40 AM

How about Mukah? As I heard from my Association's members attended a recent Pahang Birdsnest wholeseller Assoiation's Anniversary dinner that some BH owners from Sarawah were there and they were thanking Mr. L and the Wholeseller Association for solving their problems in Sarawah.

Will someone enlighten us on the matter and I believe if it is true, then there is a reason for be happy................Sorry to say that I wasn't there at the function.

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Added on November 29, 2008, 5:07 pmIf it is me, then with my little knowledge and alot of common senses, I would say that it all depend on the light, height, surrounding and airflow......there is no fast and hard rule on these, when you succeed, then you are right. To me, min. 6 inches and max. 8 inches and it depend on the above factors. (Expired guy like me don't know how to use meter, just feet and inches)

just like share, to buy now when the price is down or to wait until it is at the bottom but then where is the bottom. If you buy now and the price go up, then you must be a genius in share, but then if it go down more, then you must be stupid not to wait and you pay heavily for your mistakes.

Above are my opinions and comment kindly.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Nov 29 2008, 05:07 PM

With no offend to anyone or Sifus for here or in Indo, I have observe that having too small a space is not healthy for the birds and too wide is wasteful.
I prefer to have plank straight and long only to have another plank crossed inorder to secure the long plank. The most importance think of all is that the plank must be secure tightly to the ceiling and if you have notice that swiftlet really hit at the plank (crash when they land some of the time with the leg as the absorber and jump start when they fly. So, if your plank is not secure hard, it will cause disturbance to other birds on the same plank. Thus, causing panic and your new birds will fly out.........less increment in nests.

So, new BH shouldn't have the planks too closed as it will interfere with other birds when they land or take off. Like I always tell them, jangan terlampau lapar..............a average 2 floors BH without going into the extreme will give you more than 4000 nests and what more do you want?????
Hope that my little experience is of some help.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Dec 2 2008, 12:30 PM

No comment...Since you said that his Blog is very good and why don't you give him a call and discuss with him.....then, you decide how good he is. He must know alot to write so much about swiftlets, right? Those who have engaged Mr. Harry as a consultant or advisor before may want to comment.

I only know him as a friend of Swiftlets and I think he must be OK.........

I heard from a Dato that the cabinet will have a meeting on the swiftlets matters and meanwhile all matters concerning this industry will be put on hold until the federal government decide. Once decided, all states will have to follow the Cabinet directives. Like I say, I heard only but how true it is but pray that it is the true as I believe that the federal government understand the economic behind the swiftlet industry ....even better propose now when all our commodities, buz and others are down and swiftlet industry may help alot to boost confidence in our country......... an industry that require less land, less worker, no foreign exchange drain and make much more than other industry considering the investment. Where has an investment that can many folds in a year or two. An investment return in less then 5 years. A Industry that may bring in billions for Malaysia like in Indonesia.

The PM will be happy to see no F workers problems like FW diseases, FW crimes, and so many others that come with FWs. Best still, we still keep our green and keep the pests and harmful insects at bay and I hope that they, the government think that too............

That's the way...................positive thinking but then our brain and hands must also help as God only help those who themselve himself.

After KH or KC experience, I believe that you must be very smart.............once bitten by the Jaw, nothing will get you but then, KC must have really done something very bad to you that you leave him no face.

So, new tobe ranchers, beware and be carefull when engaging Consultant and not CON-Sultan. Never part with your money first and use all your 5 senses and if possible, engage a lawyer to handle your agreement as you maybe CON. If you are a do it yourself rancher, get basic knowledge from the available websites and then ask your questions around or at this forum. Honestly, there are many SIFUS reading this forum and they will always willing to help and share their experience and meantime or sometime, maybe sell you a thing or two if you are interested. Even then, you may also ask if the equipments or products they recommend are good or bad at this forum, too.............. no obligation at all.

Then, if you have the money and do not want the trouble, best is to engage a real consultant, a good one with proven records and must be lucky guy as luck do play some part in this BH success story although science and technology do help alot. All above are my honest views and have no ill intention of hurting anyone.

Hey, many must have bought the book while you were still newbie then, why not sell our friend here as this old book which I think you have out grown it anyway. It will clean your cabinet and help a friend to save some money.

Second hand book!!!!!!!!, any sellers!!!!! as I never used one myself.

[quote=Engineer Lee,Dec 11 2008, 09:42 AM]

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Added on December 10, 2008, 8:29 am
Yong Peng is not over-overpopulated compared to others like Kluang or BP, I am sure.

[/quote]

Hi, Swift4ever, thanks for your comment.

May I know r u from Yong Peng or Johor?

Do u know of any good and reliable consultant (but price also reasonable) from Johor and can u recommend to me?

If I were to operate the BH without applying license, do u thz the local council will come to kacau me or not? I heard it is very strict in Penang island, where the license is not easily obtained and council also ban BH in the town centre, this also goes to Seberang Perai area. A friend of mine said the situation will become clear until the federal guideline firmed up somewhere next year (now still in pipeline). Until then, he advise me better not to make any silly move.

What do u think? Do u thz the guideline will come out or not? Or it is just 'ding dong" and no ending...

I prefer to have a proper guideline for the swiftlet farming in the city area, which I can comply and I can be rest assured that all my effort pumped into the BH not gone down to the drain....

[/quote]

To do or not to do, that is the question............as for me to do it now will be better than to do later as what's to future, we really don't know....and as the song goes" whatever will, will be". The future is not up to us to decide and if even they grant you a license, they can just take them away anytime and even worst, if the swiftlets carry disease, then total ban!!!!!!!! So far, we are very luck because swiftlets never touch the ground to get these deadly viruses but then thing will change because human are trying to be God, breeding swiftlets by hand and using our dirty hand carry the diseases and one day, swiftlets may get the viruses due to human's error...... if you have seen the Indo's way of raising swiftlets, you will notice that they touched the ground where the deadly viruses are.

I always against human having a hand in handfeeding the swiftlets as we may add in food unnatural to swiftlets and maybe antibiotics which shouldn't be added in the first place. Why do the unnecessary, let the swiftlets breed and allow complete cycle before harvesting, then you will have all the swiftlets you need without hand breeding. The buyers demand pure white nests because you can deliver and you don't and I mean all ranchers don't, then the buyers will have no choice but to buy the used nest. By taking the white nests, the ranchers are in fact killing all the future generations of swiftlets and there will no more new birds and the sad story will be the same fate like their cousins at the cave with the number dropping and dropping until one fine day, the swiftlets decide to either migrate or vanish from the world.

Here is one message to birdnest consumers, don't buy white nests because by doing so, either

1.you are killing the swiftlets as the ranchers may need to throw away eggs and chicks to produce your white nests. or
2. The producers may add chemicals or HO2 to clean the nest to whiteness.........so, your health is involved.

My recommendation is to take nest as it is without worry of the original colouring. Dirty?????? no,no, no and you never what you have eaten and if you did, then Birdnest at its original colour is the best that you have eaten. Check what you have been taken at your makan shops, check your fishes, check your vegetables and please check everything.....nothing is really cleaner than your Ori birdnests. Vege, they just dip into water and then cook, how clean can that get, and I just don't want to comment more or otherwise, you will skip today's dinner.


Now, you heard news that complaints about additives like seaweed or animals skin to add weight and chemicals to produce white nests, those doing it are the cleaners wanting to make more at the expense of us, the poor ranchers......with the price going down and down.

To build up consumer's confidence in taking birdnest, we must refrain from doing all the above and educate the public that original birdnests are best with their natural color and it has been prove to be very good for human ..................................... less the additives and chemicals.


Coming back to your question again, build one now if you have unused shop and preferable plantation land as the government will have no reason to prevent you from doing so......they allow chicken's farm, right????? Town, if you wait, maybe, the Local Council will decide that no more new BH is allowed and so you missed the train. My humble suggestion is, if you want to build, then now is as good a time as later but then if you are just thinking about the idea, dream on, my friend.......

This post has been edited by West Wing: Dec 11 2008, 03:45 PM

[quote=swift4ever,Dec 11 2008, 05:13 PM]
Hi, Swift4ever, thanks for your comment.

May I know r u from Yong Peng or Johor?

Do u know of any good and reliable consultant (but price also reasonable) from Johor and can u recommend to me?

If I were to operate the BH without applying license, do u thz the local council will come to kacau me or not? I heard it is very strict in Penang island, where the license is not easily obtained and council also ban BH in the town centre, this also goes to Seberang Perai area. A friend of mine said the situation will become clear until the federal guideline firmed up somewhere next year (now still in pipeline). Until then, he advise me better not to make any silly move.

What do u think? Do u thz the guideline will come out or not? Or it is just 'ding dong" and no ending...

I prefer to have a proper guideline for the swiftlet farming in the city area, which I can comply and I can be rest assured that all my effort pumped into the BH not gone down to the drain....

[/quote]

Yes, I'm from Johor. My advice is go back to this forum and read up all the posts about the dos and don'ts before you venture out into this field. If you think you are confident, consider DIY as your first option. Pls be reminded that even Zorro, Robin Hood and others don't find this investment a safe heaven!

Johor and Sarawak BHs are the only states yet to be licensed. We don't know what the outcome maybe but for sure no guidelines will be out this year. Like other said, even license can not guarantee your investment is safe and Penang is just one case. In future, they could be other cases and we are definitely hoping not to see them happen in our lifetime. Investment in swiflet farming is for long term because birds are not chickens or pigs farms can be moved anyway the authority deems fit unless it's all-wins scenario meaning the authority, farmers, people and environment around us.

Market is gloomy and prices of all will drop, if you do later, you will benefit from the lower renovation costs but who knows, maybe authority doesn't allow any new BH in town next year if it's not all-wins.

[/quote]

Correction, please as I am in Trengganu and yet to have permit yet as the state government still trying to find the solve the problem, I guess? And Lately, with so much problems politically, I think we still have some time before our applications can be process and Kuantan still have alot of BHs without approval yet and I think that the local government has prevent certain part of Kuantan from having BHs and also new applications.

The problem with the registrations are that local councils are not well informed and lack knowledge of this new industry. I sincerely hope that the federal government will come up with a standardize format soon from what I heard which I think will be consistence and fair and shall be enforce throughout the country without having different rules, regulations, conditions or what have you. As at present, all Ranchers are confused and scared and really don't know what to expect.

Agreed, price of all raw materials are coming down and cement, sand and others are still high. The ex-factory price of steel drop more than 50% and the factory is finding it difficult to find buyer; so wait and it will drop further.