Search This Blog

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Should I Buy A Ready Made Birdhouse

The above title is very interesting .

I received this email message:

"I managed to find one completely built swiftlet house- 2 storey shop house which will cost me around RM270,000 in some where around Kedah. Now it has 3 nests inside. Is it worth it to buy? any one can advise me?"

At one time I was asking the same question and after listerning to many adviseses, I have made up my own decision base on reasons that I created myself.

My answer is as follows:

There are many reasons why U wanted to buy a ready build birdhouses.

The best reason is to expand your current birdhouses number. Say U now have one or two and you want to quickly increase by one more. U have extra cash and U are really serious of getting another one.

If U never have one yet then U have to be very sure to that the unit have a very strong chance of growing the swiftlet number.

My best advise before U buy is to conduct a few important checks.

a) Why the owner wanted to sell? If he is cash strapped and wanted to let it go quickly then there is a good reason. U shud push it down lower then 270K.

b) Conduct a bird test call. See how many swiftlets respond to the test. If there is less then 20 then it is a big risk. If U have more then 100 then there is a very strong potential.

c) Are there any other birdhouses around the area. If there are then check on their bird population flying in and out of these houses. If the number is great like more then a few hundred then it is a good potential. If these houses are also facing the same kind of low population then U better back out.

d) U also need to enter the house and properly inspect on any sign of termites trails on the walls. See if there is a potential attacks by this wood eating creatures.

e) Look on the floor of the house, can U count the number of birdshit spots on the floor. If there are more then 20 then there is a good sign.

ei) Beside the three bird nest U said is ready, make sure they are full cup, are there any other new nests, like markings on the wood panel? If there are then these are good sign of more birds in the house.

f) Examine the sound system and sound that the seller is using. If U improve these instruments and sound will U be able to improve the bird count? If U feel yes then there is a very good chance to improve the birdnest numbers.

g) Inspect the roving room. Look at the wall. Check the number of birdshits on the wall. If the number is high, ie more then U can count, then it is a good sign that there are lots of birds coming to the house but have yet to nest.

h) U need to know the history of the birdhouse. When it was constructed and by whom. Did they face some problems with the sound, bird of pray or rats, owl, snake and etc. If they did how they remove them. These problems normally affect the birds population.

i) U also need to know if the seller is having problem with the local council. Check with them and do drop by at the council and check if the unit for sale is having any problems with lisensing on so forth. If there is no problem then it a positive point.

So if you can complete the above due deligent then U can make a good decision.

The best is still to make sure that there are birds in the area. The birdcall test , I feel, is the very important point to consider before U buy.

If U need to get more advise please call me at 017 755 1318

No comments: