5. Description of Construction
This structure is designed to house swiftlets (A. fuciphagus) for the purpose
of monitoring nest production using a mud/clay fortified cement construction.
The base is a 6” deep slab of poured cement with steel grating to add
strength to the slab. This will be on a gradient with drainage channels for
removal of water from the chamber.
The support pillars should be driven down 3 ft into the slab to support the
wall and roofing structure. Support pillars are cement reinforced with 4 steel
rods each built into the upper cement and reinforced steel rod support beams
around the structure.
The wall will be a 10” thick clay/cement and quarry rock mix. Large river
rocks will be embedded into the walls to provide maximum area for birds to
build nests. PVC L-pipes will provide ventilation for the house every two feet.
Inside are 2 main chambers, the main nesting area and the roving area
connected to the roof top entrance.
The ceiling will be plasterboard supported by an array of meranti beams to
provide the nesting areas. On top of this will be 10” of clay/cement for the
roof. A canopy roof consisting of traditional thatched bamboo/forest wood will
be erected to protect the clay/cement roof from rain.
At the top of the building will be the swiftlet entrance/exit which is connected
directly to the roving chamber.
Materials
Base
Base dimensions: 18 x 36 ft = 648 sq. ft.
Depth 6” 324 cubic ft.
Cement 107 cubic ft
Sand 107 cubic ft
Quarry Rocks (crushed) 107 cubic ft.
Steel Mesh 648 sq. ft.
Structure Support
10 x 14 ft. support x 6” diameter
4 x 23 ft. support x 6” diameter
2 x 36 ft. side beams x 6” diameter
6. 5 x 18 ft cross beams x 6” diameter
2 x 3ft 6” door support x 6” diameter
4 x 10ft perch support beams x 6” diameter
2 x 12ft perch cross beams x 6” diameter
Cement 37 cubic ft.
Sand 37 cubic ft.
Quarry Rock (crushed) 37 cubic ft.
Steel strengthening rods 120 x 18ft
Mild steel plate 5/8” 7ft 6” X 10”
Walls & Roof
Steel Mesh 2728 sq ft.
72 x 4” L bend plastic PVC pipes
60 ft 4” PVC Pipe
Cement 770 cubic ft.
Clay 1234 cubic ft.
Quarry rock (crushed) 308 cubic ft.
Large river rocks (+1ft. long) 2 tons
32 x 2” x 6’ x 18ft. meranti wood beams
648 sq ft. plasterboard
18 ft. x 26 ft. and 12 ft. x 9 ft. Traditional thatched roof array (jungle wood
Bamboo etc)
Door
3ft 6” x 8ft 5/8 mild steel plate
24 ft L-angle 5/8 mild steel angle iron
3 x dead bolts
3 x heavy duty door hinges
Electrical & Electronics
Home alarm system connected to mobile phone
Infra red CCTV system
Light meter
Thermometer and humidity meter
4 x MP3 players
4 x timers
4 x amplifier
12 x tweeters
100 meters wire
Small humidifier system
Movement sensor for monitoring