12Spring

1. How to grade raw bird nest?
2. How do I differentiate between real and fake nest?
3. Why are there differences in bird nest color?
4. What is an acceptable bird nest shape?
5. The bird nest that I see at shops comes in many different shapes. Why is that so?
6. What is the difference between Cave Nest and House Nest?
7. What is the average weight of a piece of bird nest?
8. How long does it take to process a bird nest?
9. Why is bird nest good for consumption?
10. If there is an epidemic of bird flu, is the bird nest safe for consumption?
11. How are bird nest being sold?
12. How do we make money from processing bird nest? What is the profit like?
13. How sure am I that Twelve Spring will purchase my processed nest?
14. How much is the buy back price for processed nest.
15. When I become a member of Twelve Spring, will my information be shared with others?
16. How do I sign up for the course?
17. Is there any discount?
18. What is the minimum number of participants for a private training group?
19. What are the payment modes availabler?
20. Does Twelve Spring accepts payment in other currencies?
21. Can you customise the course for specific purpose as per customer’s request?
22. Can I defer the course in the event I am unable to attend the selected course after confirmation?
23. Is there any cancellation fee?
24. What is the refund policy?

1. How to grade raw bird nest?

2. How do I differentiate between real and fake nest?

Fake Nest

• The nest will reflect light and look opaque
• Uniform in color or strands

Real Nest

• Fishy smell or egg shell smell
• Expanding 2 – 3 times after soaking

3. Why are there differences in bird nest color?

The variations in colors are due to the minerals constitute in the food that the swallow eat. This will normally be determined by the location of the swallow habitat. The white nest is mainly the house nest which has lesser impurities as compared to cave nest. The color of the blood / red nest is actually formed from the chemical reaction between the bird’s saliva and the limestone in the cave.

4. What is an acceptable bird nest shape?

Generally, as long as it’s a natural shape then it will be good for personal consumption. However, if the bird nest is meant for sale / export, then the shape and size is important. In order to fetch a higher price, the nest needs to be in a cup, boat or spoon shape and broader in width (about 3.5cm).

5. The bird nest that I see at shops comes in many different shapes. Why is that so?

The natural bird nest shape is as shown in question 4. However, due to the different processing method used, the bird nests are form into different shape depending on the mold that the processer used. Every processer will strive to achieve the natural shape, however, when cannot be done, the bird nest will be molded into a diamond shape (called as biscuit / cake), nest strips, nest threads or sold as broken pieces.

Biscuit Broken pieces

6. What is the difference between Cave Nest and House Nest?

Cave Nest

House Nest

• Nest are built in buildings such as shop lots, houses and tunnels where a desirable environment (humid, dark and etc) is created by the owner to attract the swallows to build their nest
• Contain lesser impurities
• The texture are smoother

7. What is the average weight of a piece of bird nest?

One piece of bird nest before processing can weigh between the ranges of 12.0 g to 8.0 g. However, most processed bird nest on average will weigh approximate 7.0g to 8.5g.

8. How long does it take to process a bird nest?

Normal cleaning will take more than 8 hours to clean 5 pieces of bird nest. However, with our cleaning method, you will be able to clean twice as much in 8 hours.

9. Why is bird nest good for consumption?

Bird nest is both precious and nourishing. It contains of different proteins, amino acids, vitamins and various minerals that helps to stimulate cell and epidermal growth. Also, it helps to promote cell division within the immune system. If bird nest is taken regularly, it is believe to smoothen, glow and delicate our skin.

10. If there is an epidemic of bird flu, is the bird nest safe for consumption?

Statement quoted from Bernama; May 22, 2009 20:10 PM Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

“Meanwhile, head of the swiftlet unit of the Veterinary Services Department Dr Fadzilah A'ini Abdul Kadir noted that the department, which is the leading agency in monitoring the swiftlet industry, is keeping track on the developments in the industry. Since the last three years, more than 5,000 samples of the swiftlet have been tested by the department and so far they have been free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, said Dr Fadzilah. -- BERNAMA” Besides, if proper sanitization is perform during bird nest processing, then the bird nest will be free from bacteria and viruses. Hence, the bird nest will be safe for consumption.

11. How are bird nest being sold?

The bird nest will be sold in forms of natural nest (cup, bowl or spoon shape), biscuit / cake nest (diamond shape), nest strips, nest threads or sold as broken pieces.

12. How do we make money from processing bird nest? What is the profit like?

As a homebased individual or a small enterprise, you may clean the nest for re-sale.  We also try to connect potential bird nest exporter to you where you will clean the nest for the exporter.  The current going rate is about RM1,000 - 1,200/kg where the exporter provides the raw bird nest for cleaning.  

13. How sure am I that Twelve Spring will purchase my processed nest?

Currently we act as a liaison where we connect you to the buyer of cleaned nest.  If there is a confirmed buyer, we will contact you and you will advise the time needed to process the raw nest.  As we are concern about the quality of the processed nest, all cleaned nest will undergo chemical testing.  The cost of such testing will be borne by the purchaser.  And in the event the processed nest contains contamination, such nest will be rejected.  If the nest is supplied by the purchaser, you will be required to indemnify the purchaser or us to the value of the nest.  

14. How much is the buy back price for processed nest?

The price of processed nest is dependent on the market rate. We will publish the rate in the Section under Article & Bulletin which shall only be accessible for members only. So login into our Website, and check for latest price rate.

15. When I become a member of Twelve Spring, will my information be shared with others?

The information collected from this site which will not be sold, shared or rented to a 3rd party. This information is only used to complete an order or to contact you if more information is necessary. Email addresses collected may be used to notify you of any specials promotions or policy changes that may have been put into effect.

16. How do I sign up for the course?

To register for the course, you may call us, email us or fax us your details as well as your preferred course date. We will confirm your booking with us upon receipt of 30% of the course fee. Please fax us your proof of payment e.g. bank in slip for direct bank payment.   

17. Is there any discount?

Early birds and group discount is applicable on selected training course.

18. What is the minimum number of participants for private training group?

We will set up a private course if you have a minimum of 3 people in your group.

19. What are the payment modes available?

Currently we accept only cash, cheque as well as direct bank in. 

20. Does Twelve Spring accepts payment in other currencies?

All transactions are in Ringgit and in the event payment is made in foreign currency, the amount converted to Ringgit must be equal to the cost fee.  As such, please include the currency exchange and commission in your payment. 

21. Can you customise the course for specific purpose as per customer’s request?

Yes we can. We can arrange for private training solely for your organisation. We also conduct training for bird nest breeders and we will tailor the course as per your requirement.

22. Can I defer the course in the event I am unable to attend the selected course after confirmation?

Yes, you may defer your course for a maximum of 2 times.

23. Is there any cancellation fee?

An administrative fee of RM100 will be imposed for any course cancellation notified 7 days before the course date. Should a notice of less than 7 days is given, then 30% of the course fee will be forfeited.

24. What is the refund policy?

For purchase of products, we will replace the defect products subject to the warranty. For refund of course registration, we will refund you the net amount after deducting the administrative fee or forfeiture within 14 days. All refund will be made by way of cheque.

* Terms and conditions apply