Bloodnests
Posted by daveckw in 
There are a lot of negative news recently regarding fake bloodnests. The most eye catching news that came out was about a research report that concluded chemically induced bloodnests can cause cancer. As a birdnest producer and trader, I feel that I have the urge to explain what bloodnests are all about. First of all, the general public believes that bloodnests are made by swiftlets by spitting their own precious blood. This general believe was most probably spread by the original nests trader long time ago to increase the value of red nests and it was passed down generation by generation. The reality is there is no such thing as spitting blood by the birds to make their nests. So, why are the nests red in colour? There are a lot of theories behind this phenomenon. The most popular among the nests trader are the following:
1. Bloodnests are nests made in a lateritic cave. The nests, which have high absorption power, absorbs the mineral from the wall causing the colour to change from white to red.
2. The food sources of the birds contain elements which are red in colour, causing the saliva of the birds to turn red.
Personally, I believe the first theory is more logical, since bloodnests are only found in certain caves in the Borneo island, and I have not yet encountered red house nests.
In conclusion, if possible, check the source of the bloodnests before buying any. If the seller tells you that it is blood house nests, 99% that those nests are chemically induced. So beware.
Introduction to swiftlet farming
Bird nests are produced by a genetic birds called Aerodramus Fuciphagus and are regarded as the most expensive delicacies of all time. Swiftlet farming industries are booming rapidly with new farm coming up every week. Sales of bird nests reach millions of Ringgit in transaction throughout Malaysia and the volume is increasing annually.
Malaysia has been involved in swiftlet farming for past three decades but it has only experienced tremendous growth in the past six years. In 1980s one of the wooden houses in Pekan town became first natural swiftlet nesting place. At that time, there were no audio sound systems, temperature control system and others advance equipments. Now technology has proven to be very effective in luring birds into the bird houses.
The main reason for the exponential growth in swiftlet farming is due to the gigantic demand from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. The demand for bird nest products is so great that the supplier often cannot match the demand. Since the demand outstrips supply by almost 300%, this industry will continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
Updates 27/11/2011:
Due to the recent bad publicity on birdnests in China and also in Malaysia, the birdnests prices have decreased significantly. China government and Malaysia government is still negotiating on the allowable Sodium Nitrate content in processed and raw birdnests. On the Malaysian side, we have proposed 70 ppm for processed bird nests and 150 ppm for raw nests. It is still uncertain whether this proposal will be accepted by the Chinese authority.
