What Kind Of BH Population Is Ideal In A Given Area?

When you wanted to start a new BH in an area already populated with BHs what will be the criteria?

If there are already 10 BHs in the area will that be okay?

If not okay what will be the ideal number?

We cannot deny the fact that if you construct a new BH in any area your source of birds shall be from those BHs around or nearest to you.

Remember those birds do not breed on trees or under those bridges or along the five foot path of a shopping areas. They have to come from somebodies BH(s).

So the good thing about building your new BH in a populated area is that you do have a multiple number of sources where those birds will be coming from.

Well now what happen if there are so many BHs in the same area?

One thing for sure out of those many BHs only a few are successful. The number can be as low as 20% to 30%. The rest, 80% to 70% will show very little number of birds flying in and out every morning and evening.

Well if you still want to go ahead you need to think carefully of those weapons that will make you venture a success.

You need to improve your knowledge on swiftlet farming.

You need to ensure that your BH is designed properly where the entrance holes are design with 1Malaysia concept in mind.

You need to ensure that the internals are perfect complete with all features that will make any birds wanted to stay once they enter your BH.

The highest priority is to get the right sound library. You need adequate number of the best sounds which will always attract those birds above your roof top and the moment they flew over they will have the urge to enter those entrance holes.

Your external sound must always be better then your nearest neighbors.

But what if the surrounding can no longer provide adequate food to support the huge number of birds in the area?

You can determine this by comparing the nest size generated as compared to previous years. The nest size tends to be smaller since the birds themselves are shrinking in size mainly due to shortage of food.

The other phenomena that do happen is the young birds will not stay with their parent any longer. Which means your nest populations are no longer increasing as before or sometime negative.

So coming back to the question: What Kind Of BH Population Is Ideal In A given Area?

There are many speculations on how to answer this question.

Some says 5 while some says 20.

The best answer given by Dr. Arief Budiman is to make a survey of all those houses in the area. Make a check on the number of nests that are being harvested every cycle.

If the number of nests increase are on the downtrend it is not advisable to proceed with a new one.

If the opposite, the chance to have a successful BH is good. Remember you have ample supplies of young baby birds every cycle and you now need a full proof methods to lure them into your new BH. Get ready with all the weapons to bring them over.