Discover How Island and House Swiftlet Nests Are Harvested
You have eaten bird's nest many times but still do not know how it is harvested. So today, join Yến Sào Sài Gòn to learn about the harvesting process, which will help you find many interesting points about the delicious, nutritious bird's nest you are used to enjoying!
Interesting Facts About Harvesting House Swiftlet Nests
Bird's nests are harvested by different methods and at different times, depending on farming conditions. These include:
- Harvesting before the swiftlets lay eggs: According to the experience of swiftlet farmers, a nest seen at this time is at its cleanest, not contaminated with dust, droppings or feathers. Farmers also save production costs, since the nest is already clean and processing time is short.
In addition, growing the flock is more effective, because when swiftlets find their nest lost or their flock reduced, they immediately rebuild a new nest. However, with this method of harvesting, farmers will get a lighter product because the swiftlets have produced little saliva.
At the same time, the swiftlets' health is also affected because they have to expend effort rebuilding a new nest.
- Harvesting when the swiftlets have laid 2 eggs: At this time, the nest has fully completed its structure, so it is thicker and of higher quality. However, with this method of harvesting, the number of swiftlets in the flock will decrease because no young swiftlets hatch from the eggs.
- Harvesting after the young swiftlets leave the nest: The young birds that leave the nest stay in the swiftlet house and continue building new nests. Therefore, harvesting at this time helps the number of nests increase considerably. However, the quality of the nests obtained is not as assured as with the methods above, because the nests are mixed with many impurities and feathers, making the cleaning and processing difficult and costly.
Many Dangers in Harvesting Island Swiftlet Nests
In a year there are 3 times to harvest nests: spring, summer and autumn. These are the times when swiftlets build new nests to prepare for the breeding season. Swiftlets usually take about a month (30 to 35 days) to build a new nest. Harvesting is usually done in the daytime, when the swiftlets have flown off to feed.
When the nests are harvested, the swiftlets build new ones; at the 3rd nest they stop to lay eggs and raise their young. After three months, the young birds are able to fly off by themselves to find food.
A helmet, ropes, ladders handmade from bamboo and a flashlight are the items used in the harvesting process.
The harvesters climb up to the outside of caves or cliffs, then let ropes down through openings in the cave roof.
Ladders are fixed against the steep cliff walls in the cave. The harvester stands on the ladder (leaning his back against a hoop) to collect the nests.
Because swiftlets usually nest deep in caves or on steep cliffs where sunlight cannot reach, the harvesters have to use flashlights.
In the dim light they must check whether the nest meets the harvesting standard; if it does not, it cannot be sold. The harvesting must also be completed before the swiftlets return, to avoid affecting their living habits.
Unlike harvesting house swiftlet nests, harvesting island swiftlet nests is extremely dangerous, as these people must hang themselves on cliffs as high as 150m without any modern technology or machinery. Not a few have remained in the dark caves and cliffs forever.