Just a moment ago received an SOS from a newbie who is about to complete his birdhouse in Sungai Buluh, Selangor.
" Harry, Need your quick advise. I am about to complete my birdhouse and after my last inspection I observed that my contractor did not install the joint cover. What is your opinion."
My quick answers were as follows:
1) Swiftlet tends to build their nest at these 90* joints. This is due to convenience and lesser work to complete their nests. I think these are the lazy one. Simply take short cut. These are usually carried out by young birds.
If U expose these corners, U will soon collect 30-40% of your total harvest from corners. Corners nests are smaller in size and they fetch a much lower value as compared to full cup nests. Their grade is pretty closed to broken nests grade.
Just imagine if U have 400 corners and produces a faulty nest each, you will loose thousands every harvesting period. So think carefully and make a decision.
2) If U want to install covers for these corners, try to use a soft wood that can be bend like a curve and do not allow any gap at the back allowing any swiftlet to enter from the bottom or the top.
3) A straight piece wood/plank cover which expose the bottom enterance, where the bird can enter from the bottom, is not recommended.
4) U can buy ready made corners inserts but they are pretty expensive. If one set cost you say RM50, U have about 300 to 500 sets to buy. This will be just to expensive to cought out.
So it is up to you to makes the next move but my best advise is to use something soft (bendable) yet strong piece of wood or alluminum plate which U can bend/curve to cover the corners plus ensuring that the birds will not enter from the bottom or top.
Make sure it will not cost u more then RM3 per set.
PS: I will try to snap some photos taken from my birdhouse and will upload them here soonest.
