Agreed with you mlknest, I guess many here also used those aroma, perfume, potion or may be later more new one will come to the market la......so? any good results?

For me first I also try try and hope it can jalan and birds come come la, But ka-na-sai as after few tests and now I hardly believe it can bring good results la unless they can provide evidence like before and after, contact of owner for us to visit or verify, not just said only lor. Saying is easy wah we also can say anything possible right. That is why i agreed with you, think and get more info 1st will be better

You got point here and agreed. But i would say most also need "LUCK" i guess. Look at what Lucas 1 post on 22-Jul below: Sometime all basic micro habiatat done but you need the LUCK and time may be

I think u are right that I am still quite blur in this industry despites I already own a number of BHs.Some are already many yrs and some are new.Some are doing well and some are not that well. Many methods were used including the spankling of birdshit,ammonia and the so called aroma from EKA.From my personal experiences,my fastest in bird staying in and building of nests BHs are those not using the above formula. 4 yrs ago,I started blasting off the invitation music on 4 separate units of new BHs with same design in the same Taman on the same day.All with same music.2 with above mentioned ingredients added.2 were 'kosong' and so cleaned that I could roll on the floor without dirtying myself. After 2 months,I found a few nest bases started on the 2 'kosong' BHs whereas the other 2 with ingredients added took more than 5 months b4 I saw a couple of bases. So,If you were to ask me,I could only scratch my head.

I ever applied 'HORMONE' and the aroma purchased from the famous N*** T*** on those not so well BHs and after 6 months yet no improvement.Whereas for those already doing well,I did nothing,they keep on doubling up. So,u see,I am at a loss.How I wish that someone could come out with a good explaination and if possible,a conrete and proven solution or method to share and enlighten all of us. I do not mind in rewarding reasonably to those who are prepared to share their proven findings with me. I do appreciate and I think it is fair to compensate their time and effort.

Read this article from The Star today and wish to share with all farmers.

However, guess this kind of complain will always happen since more and more BHs are now in town or housing area and i guess one day it will become a big issue later.

The recent funny complains which I heard from Southern and Melaka is some residents start to blame "Chikungunya" virus is actually cause by those swiftlet house in town and housing area (actually it is not as this virus was found since 1960 and is a viral illness that is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes). So, don't expect all residents will just listen to the above fact.

So, newbie to think if your BH to be in town or you may plan elsewhere




Monday August 4, 2008
Isolate swiftlet farms


I NOTE with concern the letter “Unfair to swiflet farms” (The Star, July 31).

When swiftlet farms were started, did the farmers or relevant authorities that came up with the guidelines think of the welfare and health of the public around these farms?

When we mention avian flu, people start to panic because its effect is dramatic.

When cryptococcosis is mentioned, the general public doesn’t know what it is, or what causes it.

In the medical field, it is known that this infection is acquired by inhalation of the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans which is found in bird droppings.

The more bird farms we have, the greater the risk of dispersing such fungi into the air, and thus the greater the health risk to the public.

Manifestation of symptoms from infection may be slow and unnoticed because, when in the lungs, the infection may remain localised or heal.

However, infection may also disseminate.

Upon dissemination, lesions may form in any part of the body but involvement of the central nervous system is the most common, and the usual cause of death.

Generalised meningoencephalitis occurs more frequently than localised swelling in the brain or spinal cord.

Solitary localised lesions may develop in the skin and less commonly in the bones and other organs.

I am not against swiftlet farming but am concerned that these farms are harmful to the health of the people who operate their businesses alongside them, and also to the public who use these services in the commercial areas.

The health of the country is monitored by the Health Ministry.

But so far, the ministry has been silent on this issue.

Can the ministry assure us that the air coming out from these farms are free from fungi?

If not, action should be taken to phase out these farms not only from residential areas but also from commercial areas as well.

By all means have these farms but confine them to a locale away from residential and commercial areas.

Dr GEOFFREY TANG,
Alor Star.

This post has been edited by Ana.kepong: Aug 4 2008, 03:38 PM

Pak Hendri Mulia Blog with useful info that all newbies may like to know. Also you may try to prepare your own Potion/Aroma with the formula provided in his blog (Ramuan Baru Pemikat Walet).

http://waletindonesia.blogspot.com/

No harm to try and may be shall also join Harry duck egg forum to view and share the results

http://groups.google.com/group/duck-egg-swiftlet-special

This post has been edited by Ana.kepong: Aug 6 2008, 04:22 PM


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Read this from TheStar just now......

Wednesday August 6, 2008
Swoop down fast on swiftlet farms


I REFER to Dr Geoffrey Tang’s “Isolate swiftlet farms” (The Star, Aug 4). Swiftlet farms not only cause nuisance but also bring a deadly fungus and who knows what other diseases caused by the droppings.

These swiftlet farms are normally built on the upper floors of shop buildings in the centre of towns. I just don’t understand how they got the approval from the local authorities.

Recently, I applied to open an office on the second floor of a building. I had to go through the Majlis Perbandaran, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, Bomba and Jabatan Kesihatan. Their findings will decide whether I can do that type of business in that type of area.

So, how did these swiftlet farms get through these by-laws and were allowed to open their farms just above a mamak restaurant, a bank, a clinic, a sundry shop, and where thousands of people pass and work. Yet, the local authority approved the opening of the swiftlet farms. But, are the people’s health being protected? The SARS virus spreads through the air. So does the fungus.

Even chickens are not allowed to be kept in our housing estate (except in kampungs). But why are swiftlet farms allowed in the centre of town? Something is not right.

TEH YEW SOON,
Kuantan.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...99168&sec=focus


Monday August 18, 2008
Ministry should act fast on hazardous swiftlet farms


I FULLY agree with Teh Yew Soon's letter “Swoop down fast on swiftlet farms” (The Star, Aug 6).

These farms are not only hazardous to health as the virus from the birds' droppings can cause bird flu, but they also contribute to noise pollution.

The incessant sounds from the tapes that mimic the chirping of the swiftlets are annoying and can drive one crazy over a long period.

These tapes are played for hours on end day after day. Could you imagine what would happen if one were to work or live in a vicinity where such switflet farms are operating? I hope that the Health Ministry will seriously look into this matter and fast.

Public health should not be compromised. Ban these swiftlet farms from shop houses may they be in the towns or housing estates.

CONCERNED CITIZEN,

Teluk Intan.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...10559&sec=focus

This post has been edited by Ana.kepong: Aug 19 2008, 04:25 PM

Hi all Sifu,

Just would like to ask all successful senior/sifu here if you have any idea or experience that a BH nest/birds grow rate will start become secure, steady or gradually increase when the total nest exceeded like 100, 200 or 500? Of course this will consider the micro and macro environment of the BH is in good condition

As for the owl problem, it can be easily solved by installing an auto-gate with the timer to set close at 7.45pm and open at 6.30am for example. Please note to also design a small hole which fit the size of swiftlet at the central of the gate to allow swiftlet fly in and out in case the auto-gate is faulty.

One of my friends installed this for 2 years and no more owl problem till now and nests/birds grow is consider stable at around 5-10% per month ;-)

Ironically as for the town, I heard few BHs at the town also face the owl problem and the owner is so headache with it. Hope this auto-gate solution can help those who suffer from owl problem ;-)

Moral of story, not only human need auto-gate nowadays, your swiftlet will like it too hah

This post has been edited by Ana.kepong: Aug 28 2008, 04:31 PM

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Added on August 28, 2008, 5:15 pm
I love your suggestion but with some reservations

1. What is the correct time as some of my birds returning even after 8.00 pm and shoot out as early as 5 am
2. What if the gate jammed and you are out station or over sea.
3. What if there is no electricity
4. What if the timer's time is off.
5. so many what if, I rather not try if what if.
Just to tell a joke, my house auto gate broke down more than 6 time for the past 4 months and now it again broke down and I have to hand push the gate (no cheap steel gate cos I paid over 10K for it)..........so if this happened to the BH's auto gate, how are you going to hand push the gate open and if you are not careful, you will end up like the guy in KT. Humdy Dumdy has a great fall......................

[/quote]


Hi West Wing,

I agreed with you and indeed i asked him also the same concerns but anyhow this is what he feedback and I guess it is still the best solution for those BHs at plantation or suffer with OWL issue


1. What is the correct time as some of my birds returning even after 8.00 pm and shoot out as early as 5 am

******The small gate must design with a small hole which fit the size of swiftlet at the central of the gate to allow swiftlet fly in and out in case the auto-gate is faulty or for those birds returning late after 8pm*****

2. What if the gate jammed and you are out station or over sea.


****** Same as above and he told me once he was oversea for holiday and the gate was faulty. But when he came back to observe and he found those birds already adapt to the close gate situation and fly in and out smoothly via the small hole at the central of the small gate. Of course the hole is a bit small and the new birds may not like it or enter your BH but this is only happen once in the blue moon (according to him only one time faulty in 3 years time). Please note this is to prevent the owl to enter during night time and therefore certain level of sacrificaton must be considered la******


3. What if there is no electricity.

****** Good question and the small auto-gate motor is also come with backup battery which can be last for 2 years (depend how frequent of the black out of course). So this is not an issue la ******


4. What if the timer's time is off.

****** Same as above Item 1, birds can still enter via the small hole******

5. so many what if, I rather not try if what if.

Just to tell a joke, my house auto gate broke down more than 6 time for the past 4 months and now it again broke down and I have to hand push the gate (no cheap steel gate cos I paid over 10K for it)..........so if this happened to the BH's auto gate, how are you going to hand push the gate open and if you are not careful, you will end up like the guy in KT. Humdy Dumdy has a great fall......................



****** This auto-gate is customize and just a small motor with small grill to close the DK hole. It can be easily push using your hand or design with kind of connected string to pull when it is faulty. With this will help to improve the safety concern******


Lastly....."what if this, what if that" ..........Well, i just want to share my experience which i know here and hope it can help lor. I always believe all kind of problems must have a solution and Don't simply give up so easily when you face the problem

This post has been edited by Ana.kepong: Aug 29 2008, 01:32 PM

Hi all,

Anyone mind to tell what is the market rate/kg for the raw birdnest now?

[quote=swift4ever,Oct 8 2008, 05:13 PM]
From southern region, the least prices you can fetch for various forms are:- $3.4/g, $3.7/g and $4.2/g.


Hi swift4ever,

Thanks for info. Look like the raw nest price has drop a bit compare to few years ago.

By the way, the different price that you provided must be base on the quality of nest right? If yes, how the agent rate it?

Hi bro swift4ever,

Many thanks for your kind info. Hope I can start begin to harvest by mid of next year then.

Anyhow, i was though thicker nest will be heavier and therefore more value for selling, good that you tell that it will be better with singer layer thin

This post has been edited by Ana.kepong: Oct 10 2008, 11:00 AM