Content of My Talk At GAPH Ipoh !!!

(The only Indian Participant in GAPH Seminar for year 2008)

First of all I wud like to thank Dr Reduan of Jabatan Haiwan, Putrajaya for giving me the opportunity to present my paper.

This paper was prepared mainly to cover topics on "How to Own A Successful Birdhouse".

They are mainly from my own ideas and experiences. In the beginning, I tried to highlight some historical background on how Budidaya or Birdnest farming started in Indonesia and how it then cross the straight of Malacca to Peninsular Malaysia.

My main point was in trying to make each participant to aknowledge the fact that their birdhouse success/failure is in their own hand and not their SIFUs.

The only way to own a successful BH is by accummulate as much knowledge as possible and they need to use new and apply new technologies.

These are some of the slide presentations materials that I make available to those who have been asking for a copy:

Slide No 1:

How To Owned and Operate A Successful Birdhouse !!!
Harry Swiftlet Farming & Swiftlet Equipment Technology …..

Slide No 2:

Agenda

History of Swiftlet Farming Industries.
Introduction Into Malaysia.
Challenges In Malaysia.
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse.
Critical Stages.
Summary
Conclusion

Slide No 3:
History Of Swiftlet Farming Industries

Originally they are cave dwellers.
In 1880, an Indonesian, Tohir Sukarama, who came back from Mecca found that his house was occupied by Swiftlet. (Sedayu, Gresik)
Since he knows the Birdnest value he decided to move out and let the bird occupy his house.
This was the Beginning of Swiftlet Farming.
The breeding was kept confidential for almost 100 years by Tohir’s Family.

Slide No 4:
Continuation

Only in 1980’s the farming of Birdnest came out in the open.
Many books were published and distributed.
In 1989, the first seminar was organized to popularize the farming technique.
More people were exposed to the techniques and it become so popular that the number of birdhouses in Indonesia is now over 100,000.

Slide No 5:
Introduction Into Malaysia

Swiftlet Farming Started In Malaysia By Accident.
Started during 1990’s Economic Slowdown.
The Indonesian Chinese Take Refuge in Peninsular Malaysia.
They observed that the surrounding were perfect.
There were so many abandoned shop houses that are cheap and building raw materials were reasonable.

Slide No 6:
The Malaysian Perspective

We are very new in this industry. Started around Middle of 1990s.
We are just about 11-12 years old.
We already have 36,000 birdhouses in operations.
The most is in Perak, Selangor and Kedah.
Now more are coming up in Kelantan, Trengganu, Pahang, Sarawak, Sabah and Johore.
In Peninsular Malaysia there are only about 3400 applied for licenses.


Slide No 7:
CHALLENGES IN MALAYSIA
What are our biggest Challenges:
The rate of BH failures are still very high.
Our knowledge in selecting the right location are poor.
The Industry is too much dependent on Consultants that are
not qualified.
The use of modern technologies are still poorly received.
There are no proper technology centers that are dedicated to
this Multi Billion Industry.
The seminars that we have in the market are just introduction
We need more advance level of swiftlet farming.

Slide No 8:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse.

Get Yourself As Much Knowledge as Possible.
Read As Much As You Can.
Search the Web and Take note on those selected sites.
Attend at least the GAPH seminar and get certified.
Try to attend advance seminars.
Set up grouping in your own town.

Slide No 9:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

Select the right location for your BH.
Before your purchase a property make sure there are birds in the area.
Check the bird count using birdcall tester.
In the evening, observe their flight path.
Use the 50:30:20 rule.
If there are already a few successful birdhouses around.


Slide No 10:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

Get an experience birdhouse advisor.
Once U have selected the location, get an advisor that can guide you.
Design the birdhouse together with him.
Put in as much input as possible.
Visit a few birdhouses with him too.
Make sure he is a technology savvy guy.
He must be willing to share and transfer his knowledge to you.

Slide No 11:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

Once your BH Design is in place choose an experience builder.
You need him to comply with the local rules and regulations.
You need him to comply to your BH design.
You much get him to inform you of the milestones that requires inspection by you and your advisor.
All materials used shall be selected by you and not the contractor.

Slide No 12:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

Get the Right Sound System.
Your birdhouse is greatly dependent on a good sound system.
Your choice will determine the clarity of the birdcall sound and how long they will last.
You must take into considerations of the sound distribution techniques for both external and internal.
Using of latest technologies is a must.
Poor sound system means no birds …..


Slide No 13:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

Starting of Your New BH.

When you design a BH make sure they are ready three to four weeks before the rainy season.
Good example if rainy season starts in April, the house must be ready by March.
You must carry out microhabitat checks and ensure that they are perfect before you operate the birdcall sound.
If the microhabitat is not perfect, correct them first.

Slide No 14:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

What About the Use Of Aroma?.
Basically a good BH is a house that mimic a cave or another successful BH in your vicinity.
You actually cheat the birds to believe that your BH is ideal to start a family.
You already cheat them by installing those tweeters on the nesting planks.
Using Aroma is more or less similar to tweeters but this time you wanted them to feel that your house smell the same as their previous house.

Slide No 15:
How To Own A Successful Birdhouse (Continue).

How About Using Fake Nests and Misc..?
Once your house location is right, the temperature and humidity is within range and the sound system is perfect, what else can be done?
What about fake nests?
How about those insect generating powder?
Use of long range Bazookas?
Use of ultrasonic sound converter?
The hexagonal Tweeters on your roof?
The flood light around the entrance holes?
The color of your house roof or entrance holes?

Slide No 16:
Critical Stages.

The most challenging period:
The first 6 months…..
The first 3 years …..
The 5th year you need to get what you aimed for …
You need to set an OBJECTIVE.
“ I Want 500 nests by Year 3”
You list down your plans and actions.
You cannot adopt the “ Leave it to GOD” attitude.

Slide No 17:
Summary

Your Birdhouse Success/Failure is Dependent On You.
To Be Successful You Need To Follow the Right Path
To Be Successful You need to Get As Much Knowledge as You Can.
To Be Successful You Need to Use New and Proven Technologies.

Slide No 18:
Conclusion

Welcome to the Millionaires Club.
You are here because you deserve to be a successful swiftlet rancher.
Follow the Guideline Provided.
Use The Latest Technologies and Tools if you want to be successful.

Slide No 19:
Presentation Materials.

This presentation material was prepared by Harry Kok for GAPH Seminar in Syuen Hotel Ipoh Dated April 16th 2008.

For more information on swiftlet farming go to:
http://swiftletfarming.blogspot.com