Health Research on bird nest

1. Relocation of swiftlet farming from urban to agriculture land
in West Malaysia
Kok Hong Tan*, Fah Choy Chia , Han.Kiat Alan Ong
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jalan Genting Kelang,53300 Setapak, Kuala Lumpur
Tel : +603-4107 9802,Fax:+603- 4107 9803
*Email : khtan@utar.edu,my
In a past decade, swi ftlet farming in West Malaysia has become one of key cont ributor to Malaysia
agriculture sector. However, a new bylaw “Reari ng of Swi ftlet and Manufacturing of S wiftl ets ’ Nest By-
Laws 2013” imposed by Selangor State Government stated that all existing farmers operating in
business premises will be given a grace period of 3 years started from 1st January, 2014 to relocate to
agriculture land, These new bylaw has threaten the livelihood of the swiftlet farmers, especially those
in urban and suburban area. In this study we chronicle review the swi ftlet farm in West Malaysia. We
studied the environmental and economical impact of swiftlet farms in a selected town. We conducted
interview among swi ftlet farm owners to understand the preference of urban area or suburban area
over the agriculture area as farm location. Through the observation and analysis, we discovered the
preference of urban and suburban location over agriculture area merely as a result of economical
consideration. We suggested more investigation on the impact of relocation process from urban area
to agriculture area. A further comprehensive study on the growth rate of swi ftlet farms at agriculture
area is required to mitigate the impact of swiftlet migration.
Keyword : swiftlet, swiftlet farm, bird nest, swiftlet farm migration

2. 1 Introduction
Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is a precious functional food and therapeutic herbal medicine that has
been used for several hundred years in China. It is known as the “Cavi ar of the East” (Marc one, 2005)
in Chinese communities around the world. EBN mainly comprises a secretion of the salivary gland of
several species of Aerodramus genus (formally collocallia) (Gray, 1840) in the Apodidae family, such
as Aerodramus fuciphagus and Aerodramus maximus. These bi rds are found predominately in
Southeast Asia. Eg. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Phillipines ( Marcone, 2005).
Generally, the edible-nest swiftlets are cave dwellers and thei r nesting area are usually
inaccessible for human and located in dim to completely dark sites in limestone caves. They are
widespread in the Indian Ocean, South and South East Asia, North Austr alia and the Pacific Islands
(Thomassen,Wiersema,Bakker,Knij ff,Hetebrij,& Povel, 2003) and are predominately discovered in
Asian count ries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and China etc.
(Marcone, 2005) with Indonesia as the biggest and the Malaysia Borneo provinces of Sarawak and
Sabah being the second biggest resource (Hobbs, 2004).
As the traditional cave environment become too congested and incapable to accommodate the
growth of swiftlet’s populati on, urban dwell ers in Indones ia, Malaysia and Thailand had discovered
that by converting the upper floor of their shophouse, the swiftlet would nest in this build envi ronment
(Ibrahim,Teo, & Baharun, 2009).
The development in Malaysia only started after the Asian Economic Crisis of 1997-1998. During that
period, many commercial building left vacant by closure of many small and medium enterprises.
Instead of letting the premises to idle, quite a numbers of landlords choose to convert their vacant
shophouses to swi ftlet farm even those it is restricted by law in certain states of Malaysia
(Ibrahim,Teo, & Baharun, 2009).
A new bylaw “Reari ng of Swiftlet and Manufacturi ng of Swiftlets’ Nest By -Laws 2013” stated
that all existing farmers operating in business premises will be given a grace p eriod of 3 years started
from 1st January, 2014. They will also be given incentives in the form of a five-year-waiver on
licensing fees, land taxes and assessment fees, on the condition that they move to agricultural area
within the stipulated period of their licences ( Lim, 2013).
It is obviously the urban swi ftlet farming would face stiff challenge in coming year when they fail
to comply with the guideline. It is mandatory to study the relocation impact of existing urban swiftlet
farms to agriculture land before the expiry of grace period.
2 Objectives
This research tends to look into the issues from different perspectives. The objectives are
twofold, fi rst to justify the economy and social impact of swi ftlet farming and draw a comparison
between the swi ftlet farm in urban area and agriculture land. The research will focus on the rationale
of swiftlet farming development in urban area by chronicle review of urban swi ftlet farming in West
Malaysia.

3. Secondly, it is necessary to find a solution to mitigate the impacts of relocating existing swiftlet
farms from urban area to agriculture area.
3 Background Study
3.1 Urban versus rural area
In Malaysia, most of the swi ftlet farms are located either at urban area or suburban area
mainly as the result of swi ftlet farming started during the downturn of Asian economic crisis in 1997-
1998 as stated above (Ibrahim,Teo, & Baharun, 2009). Another reason as predicted by the farm
owners that town centre is highly populat ed with buildi ngs and traffics that preventing swi ftlet’s
predators such as eagle and owl from looming and hunting around the area. Heat island effects at
urban and suburban area also provide more stable temperature especially during the evening and
night as compare to lower temperature at agriculture area. Through the interview, most of the swiftlet
farm owners confi rm, they prefer to invest in urban or suburban area because they could rented out
the ground floor premise to generate income during the initial period. Another reason been the
premises could convert back into commercial entities in case of failure. However, the investment at
rural or agriculture area will remain abundant.
3.2 Determine Criteria
The most importance factors that determine the success of the swiftlet farm could be lead to
two keys criteria. Similar to any animals, the criteria of survival for swi ftlets species are food and
reproduction. By looking into the food sources, external environment play a vital factors.
3.2.1 External Factors
The most ideal location should be within 20 kilometres of the sea and on low-lying land where
temperature and humidity are moderately high. Before the actual construction of swiftlet farm, the
owners should assess the surrounding location by identify the potential food source and any threat
that may effected the operation of swi ftlet farms. Swi ftlet are extremely sensitive to smell, therefore,
location that nearby polluted area such as heavy industrial or treatment plants should be avoided.
Apart from food sources, surviving from prey of predators such as owl and eagle are top priority
of swi ftlet in selecting of their nesting place. One of the gifting of swi ftlets is the ability to echolocate in
the dim and darkness of limestone cave (Price, Johnson,& Clayton, 2004). Therefore, such ability
should be taking into consideration in swiftlet farm design.
Swiftlet farming in urban and s uburban area continue t o show the growth of swi ftlet’s
population as compare to the rural area. One of the simple fact that swiftlets are safer to dwell within
the human premises as compare to rural area that are subject to the prey from their predators.
Other threat may come from rats, geckos or blood sucking mites that prey on the newly born
chicks (Mardiastuti, Mulyani, & Gulton,1997).Consistency of maintenance or pest control is essential.
Male swiftlets began their nest building when they found comfort and security with the new
envi ronment. Man made farms that stimulate the natural setting of the limestone cave become an
importance factors to the success of farming.

4. 3.2.2 Internal Factors
The internal environment that suitable for swi ftlet habitual similarly to limestone cave ambiance is
the important factors for swiftlet breeding. The key factors are air temperature, mean radiant
temperature, ai r velocity, relative humidity and light intensity. The temperature suitable for this habitat
is between 25°C- 30°C (Kuan & Lee, 2005) and (Onn, 2008).If the temperature is above 30°C, the
saliva will be dried and causes the nest to be shrunk. But if the temperature is too cold such as below
25°C, the saliva will not harden causing difficulties in nest development.
Relative humidity should be between 80 to 90% in order to provide conducive breeding envi ronment
and re-creation of a natural cave's micro-habitat envi ronment. If the relative humidity is below 80%,
the shape of the nest would be affected, as the nest is drier and the stickiness is lesser, the nest
would be thinner and easily shatter. Apart from that, if the humidity is too high, the nest will be
yellowish in color and reduce the price of the nest (Kuan & Lee, 2005 and Ibrahim,Teo,& Baharun,
2009)
The factors that have to be considered in constructing swi ftlet farms are that the lighting condition
must not be more than 1 lux (Onn, 2008). The light intensity in swiftlet farm is important because low
light intensity means a darker environment. Swiftlets prefer the dark because of several reasons. To
swiftlet, darkness means safety to their young babies.
Adequate sound within the swi ftlet farms able to loop in and attract the swi ftlets into the farms.
When the young swi ftlets able to find secure in the new habitat, they may visit more frequently and
eventually dwell in permanently.
Upon satisfactory of the above three main factors of food, security and comfort, male swiftlets
woul d construct the nest by using saliva and attach to the vertical wooden batten made from “Melanti
“ wood species. The intervals of the wooden batten need to space out adequately to ensure sufficient
breeding space for individual swiftlets. According to farming owner, failure to provide suitable spacing
could lead to the fighting within the colony. Widening of spacing may also result the loss of valuable
space to accommodate more nestling.
Generally, most of the swiftlet farms that located at urban or suburban area did not create much
of the objection or resentment from neighbourhood. The obvious source of disturbance from swiftlet
farm is the tweeting sound facing the external wall. However, only the farm owners that did not
comply with the guideline set out by local authorities would create unnecessary impact to community.
Through the observation at various location, the smells from the swiftlet guano are not
noticeable due to the fact that most of the smells are kept contain within the farms as the premises
has very little opening or exposure to the external.
4 Methodology
In this research, two swi ftlet farms located at Mantakad, Pahang are chosen in which one
represented a typical shophouse swi ftlet farm at urban area and another one as a standalone swiftlet
farm at agriculture area. Both of the farms are 10 kilometer apart and constructed during the same
years.
Since both swiftlet farms belong to the same owners, the data obtain has certain consistency

5. and accuracy. We have cross check the internal perimeter and conclude that both farms have similar
design layout.
5 Observation
All the information in this research is collected through interview and on site observation. The
information was compare and analyse from the perspective of economic, functionality, environmental
impact and sustainability.
5.1 Risk of investment
Through the few interviews that conducted among the swi ftlet farm owners and consultants,
one of the obvious risk in swiftlet farming was the low successful rate (Estimated at 30%). In order to
reduce the risk of investment, most of the investors would choose to invest in urban area as the cost
recovery are much higher as compare to agriculture area. Chart 1 below showing the economy
impact comparison between two swi ftlet farms of urban area and agriculture area at Mentakad,
Pahang.
Criteria Swiftlet farm at urban area Swiftlet Farm at agriculture
area
Type 20’ x 80‘
2 storey shophouse
30’ x 80’
3 storey freestanding farm
Area 3200 sq. ft 7,200 sq.ft
Construction cost 800,000 (Building) + 80,000
(Renovation) = 880,000.00
400,000 ( Building +
Renovation ) + 100,000 ( 1
acre of land ) = 500,000.00
Unit price RM 275/ sq. ft RM 69.50/ sq. ft
Failure rate 70% 70%
Cost recovery RM 800,000 RM 100,000.00
Total loss upon
RM 80,000 RM 400,000
failure
Chart 1 – Economy impact comparison between urban and agriculture area swiftlet farm
Even thought the investment in agriculture land has higher return on investment as compare
to urban or suburban farms, but the risk of investment are higher as compare to urban farms. Chart 2
showing the assumption of swiftlet farming values when it is assume to have equal growth rate after
one year period. The valuation was based on the market value during year 2010.
Assumption of
harvest after 1
year
Swiftlet farm at urban area Swiftlet Farm at agriculture land
Number of bird
nest
500 nests 500 nests

6. Estimated price 500 x RM 1,000/nest = RM
500,000.00
500 x RM 1,000/nest = RM
500,000.00
Property cost RM 880,000.00 RM 500,000.00
Total firm value RM 1,380,000.00 RM 1,000,000.00
Return on
56.8% 100%
investment
Chart 2 – Return of investment upon the sale of swiftlet farms ( data in year 2010 )
The cost of constructions in urban area is not able to reduce as the building subject to
building code and regulation according to human usage. It is more cost effective at agriculture area as
the usage can tailor made to suit its function (Figure 1). One of the most obvious different was the
penetration requirement. Most of the window and access point was seal off in urban area as it is not
necessary to have high air exchange rate and more ventilation also affect the humility and
temperature inside the farm.
Urban Swiftlet Farm Agriculture area Swiftlet Farm
External View
Figure 1. External View and environment of case study swiftlet farm
5.2 Faster completion
The normal duration of renovation at existing shophouse property only need 3 months to
complete as compare to agriculture farm that may take up to 8 months for completion.
Apart from the economy impact, we also need to look into long term sustainability and
envi ronmental impact. Agriculture swiftlet farming has edge over urban farming on long term
sustainability and environmental impact to community.
5.3 Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Another setback of urban and suburban farming is the envi ronmental impact such as noise
pollution generated by the tweeting sound constantly disturbing the li festyle of community. The close
proximity of the urban swiftlet farms has indirectly competed with each other to attract more swiftlet
into their farms by raising their tweeting speakers. Agriculture farming may not bring much of the
impact as it is buffer by the plantation or greenery.
Urban or suburban farming may reach its peak and start to saturate. Due to close proximity,
the farms may compete for survival and growth rate could eventually slow down. If we study the
behaviour of swiftlet, most of the swiftlet leaving their nesting place during 5 to 6.30 am and travel to

7. their hunting ground within 20 kilometre radius. On the journey, some may attracted by other swiftlet
farms. Therefore, the longer their travel distance more chances they may not return to the same farms.
In order to study the growth rate, the distance between their food source and nesting place need
further investigation.
5.4 Effective use of space and ergonomic
Due to building code requirement, shophouse property may have some utility or services
areas that are not fully utilised. Some of the high ceiling areas may not be access ible for harvesting of
nest (Figure 2). Therefore, the wastage of area may further reduce the income. The ceiling height at
shophouse mostly maintain at 2.8 to 3 meter, whereas agriculture swi ftlet farm was around 2.2 to 2.4
meter which save on construction cost and easier for nest harvesting. In term of ergonomic and
functionality of space, agriculture farm design have edge over the urban farm.
Urban Swiftlet Farm Agriculture area Swiftlet Farm
Figure 2. Internal view and design of case study swiftlet farm
Most of urban or suburban farm reaching its peak not as a result of growth rate but also owing
Internal View
Entry Design
to the over populated swiftlets without any room for expansion. However, the agriculture farm could
easily expand to surrounding open area. The flexibility to alter or accommodate the modification is
one of the advantages in agriculture area.
6 SWOT analysis
Through the SWOT analysis, we identify the opportunity and key area of improvement.
Overall observations could be summaries as below chart 3.
Urban Swiftlet Farm Agriculture Swiftlet Farms
Strength Low initial investment (5.1) Higher return upon sale (5.1)

8. Smaller losses upon failure (5.1) Higher utilisation of space (5.4)
Faster renovation period (5.2) Accommodate to future growth (5.6)
Weakness Incompetent of expansion(5.4) Longer construction period (5.2)
Noise pollution to surrounding (5.3) Higher losses upon failure (5.1)
Opportunity Easily converted back to business
premises
Incentives and support from
authorities
Threat Least favourable from authorities May attract predators or thief
Indirect competition due to close
proximity
Abundant entity upon failure
Chart 3 – SWOT analysis of both cleaning process
From the analysis, we realise the reasons behind most of the selection of urban swi ftlet farms
as the result of economy consideration. The main concern are the cost recovery due to the high
failure rate, longer construction period and abundant of investment upon failure in agriculture farms.
7 Recommendation
From the Reari ng of Swi ftlet and Manufacturing of Swi ftlets’ Nest By -Laws 2013 stated that all
urban or suburban swi ftlet farms been given a grace period of 3 years started from 1st January, 2014
(Lim, 2013).
The impacts of sudden closure of all swiftlet farms in urban or suburban areas may results a
massive migration of swiftlets seeking new nesting ground and affected the growing stability.
In order to lower the risk, it is recommended to shift the swiftlet farms that are closer to
agriculture land as first priorities (Figure.3- red arrow). Once the new swiftlet farms stabilise and
reaching constant growth, the next stage would be relocation of the urban area swi ftlet farms. (Figure
3- yellow arrow).
The location of newly construct swiftlet farms also need to be in line with the master plan of
city or township planning. This would prevent agriculture area that earmark for swiftlet farms not
encroach by the expansion of township in future.

9. Figure 3 – Migration of existing swiftlet farms from urban and suburban area to agriculture area.
The local authorities also need to assist in control the proximity and concentration of swiftlet
farms in particular areas. Due to close proximity, swiftlet colony tends to looming in and out of
difference farms. And this would create a direct competition between the farms owners to louder their
tweeting sound speakers and unnecessary generating noise pollution.
To ensure the long term sustainability of swiftlet farming, it is essential for a new bylaw to
protect the natural resources which is the food sources of this species. Any polluted industry need to
be avoided within the zone that earmark for swiftlet farms.
8 Conclusion
This is the intention of this research to reduce the risk and increase on the successful rate of
swiftlet farming relocation from urban areas to agriculture area. The following are the proposal for
further research:
8.1 Module design
Swiftlet farm that could expand according to future demand should be the prime criteria to
cater the growth of the swiftlet colony. The module design should capable of duplication in mass
production. It would able to reduce the set up period and substantial control on the investment cost.
8.2 Mobility
The module design should be detachable, easy to dismantle and reassemble at other location.
This mobility may reduce the risk of investment and ensure the second chances to recover or even
achieve better return. With the mobility of the module design, the next consideration would be the
materials and construction system.

10. 8.3 Lightweight and sustainability
The material of module design should be lightweight and durable for easy relocation. A self
sufficient and self contain module that capable of creating suitable envi ronment. This module should
have a monitoring system that able to control humility, sound, ventilat ion and temperature according
to climatic factors.
A further comprehensive study of the growth rate at newly relocated swiftlet farm is
mandatory to mitigate the impact of swiftlet migration.
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[10] Onn, T.W. (2008). Construction and Management of Swi ftlet farm, Retrieved from crystal
swiftlets online website : http://www.crystalswiftlets.com/cs5.html