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Beware of the Allure of a ROGUE SWAN

January 12th, 2024 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in BEWARE of Rogue Swans - (Comments Off on Beware of the Allure of a ROGUE SWAN)

A Wayward Swan.. An Unexpected Swan..
The Beautiful, Graceful, Captivating Rogue Swans..

ROGUE SWAN

I Wanted to Start this Topic with the Definition of ROGUE..
An Internet Search Yielded some Vague General Descriptions.

ROGUE: Definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary
https://dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › rogue.
*************
Not Behaving in the Way that is Expected or Wanted.

In other Sources – Terms and Comments Define Rogue..
>>>>  Very Charming, an Idle Vagrant, Rascal,
>>>>  Scoundrel, Mischievous, Scamp…
But One who is Nevertheless Like-able or Attractive.

The Rogue Cob below is a Beautiful Swan..  A Successful Rescue..
ROGUE SWAN

On this Topic Page…. I am Applying the Term Rogue to Swans..

A Rogue Swan is NOT Part of the Normal Swan Pairing.
A Swan who Causes Trouble in a Playful way.
OR
A Swan who Causes Trouble on an Established Swan Pond.

**************************
Swans are Social Birds.  They do not Want to be Alone..
If they are Wandering about Alone and happen to Locate
an Interesting Body of Water.. Especially with other Swans,
it is Understandable that they might Stop to Explore the Status of those Swans.

Click on Images to Enlarge to Read some Added Text. 

Our Rescued Mute Cob and a Rogue Feral Pen.. their Story will Follow.

Rogue Feral Mute Swans

IF more Domestic Mute Cygnets are Pinioned
or Clipped to Keep them Grounded,
THERE WOULD BE FEWER ROGUE MUTE SWANs.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

If we Lived in the United Kingdom.. this would be Common.

ALL their Mute Swans are Living Wild and Free Flying.
Rogue Feral Mute Swans

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I will Share Rogue Swan Stories here in Pennsylvania.

FIRST the SURPRISE ROGUE SWAN..
ROGUE SWAN

I get Several Calls every Year from Folks who are Excited.
They have a “Surprise” Swan on their Pond.
“I Looked at our Pond One Morning and there was a Beautiful Swan..!”

ROGUE SWAN

The Swan has been Hanging-Out on their Ponds or Lakes.
It is Alone.
The People are Seeking Information about Feeding or Winter Care..
And they want to Find a Companion/Mate for this Swan.

My First Question: “How Stable is this Swan ?? ”
“How Long has it been on your Pond..?? ”
“How Social with You has this Swan Been ??? ”
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
“Do you have Photos that I might View ?? ”
Photos NEED to Be Focused and Close Enough to see Details.

The First Thing I NEED to Establish:
Is this a Feral Mute Swan.. ???  ( ORANGE Beak)
Feral Mute Swan
A Royal Mute Cygnet Less the One Year Old..
Will have Grey, Brown, Beige Colored Feathers – A Dark Beak.
These Cygnets are Naturally Chased-OFF by their Parents
in Very Late Fall and Early Winter..
Cygnets are Fairly Helpless as they Seek a Safe Place and Food.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan Cygnet

Royal Cygnets have Earthtone Feathers..
Polish Cygnets
are Pale in Coloration.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
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OR is it a Wild Tundra Swan/Swans that are in the Process
of Spring-Fall Migration. Are there More then One.. ??
Migrating Swans may Stop on Bodies of Water to Rest.
They may Remain Several Days before Leaving for their Destination.

Migrating Tundra Swans

The Tundra Swans Above have Yellow-Marks on their Beaks.

Most Folks are Unfamiliar with Swans in General..
It is Important to Know WHICH Species their Surprise Swans are..

If this/these Surprise Swans are Trumpeter or Tundra …

Trumpeter Tundra Swan
You can Enjoy and Feed them.. but, you can NOT Restrict them.
These are Federally Protected Swans and must be Allowed to Fly Free.

We Observed this Young Tundra Swan on a Creek Near us..
Likely Blown away from the Migrating Flock.
Rogue Tundra Swan Cygnet
It Appeared after a Nasty February Storm.
It Stayed for Several Days.. We Watched it Fly-Off.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Then there were these TWO ! 
Rogue Feral Swans

A Lady Called wanting to Adopt a “White Swan” for a Lonely Swan
at her Florida Apartment Complex.
There had been Five Swans – All Adopted Together.
Four had Flown Away.. ( Boo ! )  Not Pinioned.

Whooper Swan Cygnets

She did NOT Know the Specie or Sex … I Asked for a Photo..
Yes, this is a “White Swan” > > A Whooper Swan.

Whooper Swan
A Very Expensive White Swan.

*******************

An Injured Tundra Swan Walked in a Family’s Long Driveway.
It was Calm, Weak and Thirsty/Hungry.
The Wife Called Wanting to Adopt a Mate/Companion.
She did NOT Know the Specie or Sex..  I Asked for a Photo.
Tundra Swan
I had to Inform these Folks that they could Not Keep it.
As a Federally Protected Tundra Swan,
we Arranged for it to go to a Licensed Rehabilitation Facility.

Tundra Swan

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

IF the Surprise Mute Swans Come as a Pair.. Sigh !
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

These Mature Mute Swans APPEARED on a Rural Pond
in November and Stayed until March – Five Months.
They Flew-Off.. and would Occasional Return and Leave..
after another Seven Month.. they did not Return.

Rogue Swans

They have Probably Left their Original Home..
Try to Check your Area for “LOST” WayWard Swans..
Someone may be Searching for them. Social Media may Help..
Sites like FaceBook Groups, NextDoor.com.. etc.

When these Swans Left the Family Wanted to get a Pinioned Pair..
Their Experience was Wonderful.. “WE want Swans ! “

BUT, There is Nothing to Prevent these Feral Swans
from Returning Weeks or Months Later.
They Remember where they were being Fed..and May Return.

Rogue Feral Mute Swans

**********************

If a Lone Feral Mute Swan is on a Public Waterway,
a River, Lake, Creek, Stream

Rogue Feral Mute Swan
DO NOT Arrange to Release another Swan as a Companion !!
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

This Just Puts Another Swan in Peril..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
If you Develop Trust and have an Opportunity to Catch a Feral Swan..
Arrange for a Private Property Future.Rogue Feral Mute Swan
CLIP the PRIMARY FLIGHT FEATHERs
of
ONE WING before Releasing at a New Home/Pond.

************************

From our Experience..
It is a Challenge to Keep a Swan in Place
Once a Swan has Learned to Fly.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

The Young Male Swan Above was a Feral Rescue..
Lots of Folks were Involved in his Weeks of Care and the Adoption..
He was Clipped before being Released to his New Home..
BUT, he was Not Clipped after his Annual Moult the Next Summer.
A Rogue Feral Mute Swan Flew in for a Few Days..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

And this Rescued Male Flew Off with the Rogue-Feral Swan..
FULL-Wing Rescued Swans NEED to be Clipped Annually.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Once I Establish People have a Lone Mute Swan..
on their Private Property Water Environment-Pond/Lake..
I Explain what Needs ( should ) to be Done.
Feed >> Gain Trust, Catch the Swan.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Clip One Wing and Send a DNA Sample to Learn the Sex.
You CAN NOT Arrange for a Male to be with a Male !!

## Clipping Captive Swan Pets
https://swanlovers.net/category/clipping-captive-swan-pets/
*************************

Many Lone Female Swans will Act like a Male as a Survival Behavior.
They Display their Wings and Busk and Snort more !
FOR Two Years we Thought this BIG, Bossy, Feral Swan was a Male.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Surprise.. He is a She ! 
IF they Nest and there are EGGs > the Swan is Female.

There is a Long and Winding Story to this Feral Mute Female.
She was Full-Wing.. Could Fly. The Result.. She was Shot.Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Early Spring is Nesting Time..most Mature Females will Lay Eggs..
If you are not seeing any Eggs >> that can be a Clue..
Males will Collect Materials for a Nest.. But NO Eggs..Rogue Mute Swans

Young Male and Female Swans can not be Sexed
by Visual Appearance or Behavior.. You are Just Guessing.

## Determine the Sex of Swans-Cygnets by DNA
https://swanlovers.net/category/determine-the-sex-of-swans-cygnets-by-dna/

**************
THIS is a GOOD IDEA – So YOU Can ID your Swan if it Leaves.

## ID Banding for Swans
https://swanlovers.net/category/id-banding-for-swans/
*************************
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN
If a Hunter sees a Banded Mute Swan, Maybe they will Spare it.
DO NOT CALL your State WildLife Service..
They may Destroy these Feral-Rogue Swans.

So Far, Few Free Flying Rogue Swans have been Caught
or Stayed with these Excited Folks.

Some of these Swans will Come, Eat, Enchant and Go,
Gone for a While, Maybe Returning at Random..
Especially, Folks that have Feral Full-Wing Swans.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

These are “Rogue” Swans.. They are Basically Feral-Wild..
They have NO Loyalty to you or your Pond.

I Hesitate to Arrange for a Companion Swan
for any Rogue Fly-ins..
Full-Wing Swans and Cygnets
that have Learned to Fly are VERY Unpredictable..
Clipping is Helpful to keep them Grounded..
If they are Stable for a Period of Time.. then Maybe Adopt Another..

On Cool, Windy Days Swans have a Natural Desire to FLY
if they are NOT Grounded… Plus they CAN Still Walk Away..
Swans that Fly know the World is a Bigger Place.Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Rogue Swans Frequently just Fly Away leaving the Pond Owners
a Bit Heart Broken.. and a Purchased Pinioned Swan Alone..Feral Rogue Mute Swan
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I will Share Antidotes of ROGUE Swans we have Known.
There are Too Many Stories Shared to me by Other Swan Folks.

***********************************

This WHOLE Story Starts in 2006 – I have Condensed it..
This Summary Account Covers 11 Months..

The Cast of Characters in this “Swan Soap Opera.”
“Handsome Fellow”  –  Little “Hannah”
“Jezebelle” <<<->>> “Sweet Harmony”
Rob  “Meadow”  Linda

Rogue Feral Mute Swan

“Handsome Fellow” was our First Feral Rescue.. July 2007.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

We Learned so much about Swans while Caring for him.
After Nine Months he was Finally on a Real Pond.. But Alone.
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

We Acquired the Only Female Mute at a Country Auction.
Little “Hannah” was Young, very Scared and Dirty… April 2008..
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

“Handsome” Adopted this 10 Month Old and Raised her.
Soon “Hannah” became the Pond Princess.. So Cute !
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

By December 2008 they were Starting to Pair-Bond.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
January of 2009 the Pair were Mating.. They were Good..
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

We had Wonderful Summer thru Winter Days by their Pond.
Below the Swans were Play Chasing.. Silly Fun.
Pair-Bonding Mute Swans

February 13, 2009 was a Sweet Day.  The Last One.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

On February 14th, 2009 a Mature Female Mute Swan
Circled and then Landed on their Pond.. ( FROM WHERE ?? )
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
We had NO Idea what was about to Happen.
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

“Handsome” was IMMEDIATELY Attracted to the New Swan.
In a Few Hours they were Mating ! We were Bewildered !
and so was our Dear Young “Hannah.”
I gave the Intruder a Name, “Jezebelle” – it Fit.
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

Early each Morning, One of us had been going Up River
Appx. 6 Miles to Feed a Lone Feral Swan, “Sweet Harmony.”
A Local Man would Feed “him” again after his Work Shift..
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

“Harmony” had gone Missing. We Checked for Weeks.
We Feared he had been Shot.. PA Hunters had that Right.
The Local Man said, he would call if “Harmony” Returned.
ROGUE Feral Mute SWAN

“Jezebelle” Charmed and Claimed “Handsome.” He was Smitten.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
They Shunned “Hannah” to the Farthest Area of the Pond..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
We watched her become Fearful if the Two Looked her way.
It was Hard to Watch “Handsome” Chase Little “Hannah” !!
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
She did not Understand “WHY ?”
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

“Jezebelle” started to Chase, determined to Attack “Hannah.”
Then “Handsome” joined the Chase to Drive “Hannah” Away.
We had NO way to Stop this Drama.. “Jezebelle” was in Control.Rogue Feral Mute Swan

At One Point, “Handsome” was Chasing and “Hannah”
turned toward him.. Sat in the Water Facing him..
He Stopped.. He did not Chase her Again that Day..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

For SEVEN Days we Watched almost Helpless…
Finally with Focused Intent “Jezebelle” forced “Hannah”
along a Muddy Bank >> Up into my Arms.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
We had NO Choice, we took “Hannah” Home with us..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
Sadly, we had to Rehome “Hannah” with Good Swan Friends.
Their Mute Cob had been Alone for Close to a Year.Rogue Feral Mute Swans
It Took Several Months for Older Cob,”George” to Accept “Hannah.”
Dear “Hannah” was Much Loved at her New Home.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

About Three Weeks Later, “Handsome” and “Jezebelle”
were a Bonded- Pair.. Mating Several Time a Day.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

One Night Rob was Comparing Close-up Photos
he had Taken of “Harmony” to Photo we Snapped of “Jezebelle.”
He showed me.. We were Stunned.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
THIS BIG Bossy Female, “Jezebelle” was the Missing Swan
from 6 Miles Away.. that we Thought was a Male..!!!

Her Behavior was SO DIFFERENT. But, It did Explain,
Why “Jezebelle” Liked Graham Crackers that First Day.
“Harmony” and “Handsome” were Together Again..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
They had been on the River together for Two Years,
“Handsome” had been Rescued 20 Months Earlier..
*******************

We had a Protected Nesting Site Ready for the Swans.
“Handsome” Spent Time Arranging the Material..
“Harmony” Totally Ignored the Area.. Weeks Passed..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

March 23, the Swans were Sitting on the Pond Bank when we Left.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

The NEXT Afternoon, the Swans were GONE.. REALLY GONE !!

We Frantically Searched and Located them on the Local Creek.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
They were Exploring.. Seeking their Own Nesting Site.
We had NO Way to Catch them.. Very Helpless..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Their Perfect Nesting Place was Picked.. We Asked Permission
to Visit the Water’s Edge behind that Creek Property.
We Spent most Afternoons Feeding, Watching, Guarding, etc.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Heavy Rain Flooded their Nest/Eggs Twice – All Lost.Rogue Feral Mute Swan

They Recycled and Nested a THIRD Time.. 5 BIG EGGs.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

During the HEAT of July, Three Tiny Cygnets Hatched.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Only One Survived to Leave the Nest.. “Meadow.”
Rogue Feral Mute Swans

The Happy Parents took “Meadow” Out to Explore the
World of the Creek.. We Visited as Much as Possible.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

At 38 Days Old.. a Snapping Turtle Bit “Meadow’s”
Tiny Foot Almost in Half. HE was Bleeding..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Hearing “Handsome” and “Harmony” Screaming
when we Took “Meadow” from them, to Save him,
is a Sound that Haunts my Memory..
We had to Try to Save him.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Success was 11 Months of Vet Visits, Surgeries, Healing.
“Meadow” has a Badly Damaged Semi-Functional Foot.
In Summer 2023, “Meadow” was 14 Years Old.
Mute Swan Cob

On November 15th, 2009, “Harmony” had Lead “Handsome”
Downstream in the Creek to the River.
They were Full-Circle – back where they Started.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
“Handsome” was Happy to be with “Harmony.”
He had taken his Life back as a Free Swan..

Trying to Return them to the Safety of the Private Pond
was not Realistic.. They would Likely Leave again..
Their Return to Life on the River had NO Future..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

One Day Later, “Harmony” aka “Jezebelle” was Shot by a Hunter from Maryland.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

“Handsome” was Spared.. and Alone..
He Searched and Called for “Harmony” for Days..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Early December 2009, “Handsome” Swam back UP
the Creek to a Parking Area of a Small Public Park.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

We make Plans to Capture him and Return him to
the Private Pond… and Hope for the Best..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

We Visited Daily, Spent Time Trying to Get Closer to him..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
Almost.. almost… The Creek Flooded our Last Hope..
January 25th, 2010 was the Last Day we Saw “Handsome.”
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
We Searched for Weeks, Months.. Nothing.. No News..

At Home we had “Meadow” with a Huge Surgical
Wound to Care for.. We Focused on his Needs..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
We have “Meadow” Thanks to “Sweet Harmony,”
but we Lost “Handsome Fellow” as a Tragic Outcome.

For One Summer these Swans had a Life Together.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

This Rouge Swan… Changed EVERYTHING for Us.
Rogue Mute Swan

When this Rogue Swan Flew in Out of a Grey Sky.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I will Add Two or Three more Stories..

I had to Condense-Summarize these Examples.
A Few Photo Images are NOT the Mentioned Swans.
But they are Good Examples of the General Topic.
Our Adventures with Swans has had LOTs of Twists and Surprises.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

SO Many Wanted to Help this Abandoned-Feral-Rogue Swan.

This Summary Covers THREE Frustrating Months.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

For Years, a Lone Swan was seen in a Very Shallow Swampy Pond
as People Drove along a Busy Highway.. Then in Summer 2022,
Plans to Develop this Property were about to begin.

A Local Couple wanted to Rescue and Find a Home for the Swan.
I Got a Call… Could we Help. I Collected Info and Made Calls.
I Contacted a Variety of People WILLING to Help.. It was June.

The Work Site Foreman said, Now that this was a Construction Site,
he could Not Grant Permission for Anyone to come on the Property..
We would have to Contact the Florida Corporate Office.
Several Calls. > NO. They would Not Allow Anyone to Feed or Rescue.

We had a Window of Time, while the Swan was Moulting..
To Rescue the Swans while it was Flightless.. BUT, NO Permission !
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Earth Moving Equipment Fill-in the Swampy Water.. It was July.
The Water was Disappearing Day after Days. The Swan Flew Away.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Landed in a Township Dump-Waste Pond with a High Locked Fence.
Permission Denied.. the Area was TOO Dangerous for Public Access.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

Weeks Later the Swan Flew Out.. TO… the Local Fire House..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

It was Late August.
Seeking Company, the Swan Explored the Fire House..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

The Firemen were Happy to Welcome this Unique Visitor..
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

They Posted to Social Media.. Hundreds of Comments Followed.
I Suspect from seeing the Photos.. “Charley” might be a Pen.

I CALLED and EMAILED.. Trying to Contact ANYONE at the Fire House.
>>>> PLEASE Close the Doors and Someone will Come for the Swan..!!
Rogue Feral Mute Swan
We had a Team of People Ready, to Rescue, Transport, Shelter..
Plans for a Veterinary Check-up.. and then to a Private Property Home.
With the Flood of Social Media Interest.. I was Ignored. UNTIL….

I Got a Call from the Fire Chief.. I Explained we wanted to Rescue..
He Informed me.. that after about 10 Days.. the Swan Flew Away.
It was Now Late September,
TWO Days.. before the Beginning of Fall Hunting Season.
The Swan they called “Charley” was Never Seen Again..

 I want to Acknowledge, that there are Lots of Caring People
who are Willing to Help.. But, the Odds are Against us.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

This Rogue Swan Story will be Short.

A young Pair of Seven Month Old Mute Cygnets
were Settled on their Country Pond.  ALL Good.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

I Got a Frantic Call from the Wife…. There was a Larger Swan
on their Pond CHASING the Two Youngsters.

The Husband was Outside, Yelling and Banging a Metal Pan,
trying to Scare the Rogue Swan Away..  Not much Luck.
But, he was Definitely Scaring their Young Pair.
Rogue Feral Mute Swan

The Rogue Swan would Fly-off and Returned for Several Days.
Finally Left and did not Return.
Another Day of Harassing the Young Cygnets
there would have been a Fatal End to the Rogue.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

One More – A Terrible Easter Morning Memory.

In Early February a Pair of Unrelated 9 Month Old Mute Cygnets
were Adopted.. to a Family with a Lovely Four Acre Rural Lake.
The Young Female was VERY Shy.. she Kept her Distance for Weeks.

Rogue Feral Mute Swans

As the Weather Warmed so did her Trust of her New Family.
Early in April, I got a Call.. There were TWO LARGE Swans
Flying about their Pond and Chasing their Young Pair.

Through Social Media, they Located the Original Family.
WHO Said, “That’s Ok, you can Keep them.”

Being New to Swan Care, the Cygnet’s Family has NO Idea
what their Right were or what to do..
It is the Responsibility of the Original Family to Remove
these Two Full-Wing Wayward Swans and Rehome them..

Several People were Hired to Catch the Wayward Swans..
It was Hopeless, they just Flew about Avoiding their Attempts.

To the Horror of the Lake Family… Early Easter Morning..

Rogue Feral Mute Swans
A Hunter stood by the Lake and Shot both Rogue Swans.
One was Killed Immediately, the other was Fatally Wounded.
It was Left to Bleed to Death while a Four Year Old Child
was Aware and Afraid for his Pet Swans.

The Family had to Deal with the Bloody Body once it Floated to Shore.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Are there Other Rogue Swan Stories..??  Yes, but this is Enough.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Compiled & Organized by  (c) Linda M.Sweger       February 2024
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

To the Memory of  “Handsome Fellow.”

Rogue Feral Mute Swan

FISHING and SWANs.. NOT a GOOD MIX

September 28th, 2023 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in FISHING is RISKY BUSINESS - (Comments Off on FISHING and SWANs.. NOT a GOOD MIX)

I Understand that Fishing is an Activity Enjoyed by Many.

Fishing and Swans

I am not Going to Bash or Complain about the Sport of Fishing..

It seems to be a Popular Way to Spend Time Outside.
Fishing and Swans

To Enlarge Right Click Image – Open in a New Tab.

FISHING: If you Allow Anyone to Fish in Your Pond or Lake..

Fishing and Swans
Ask them to be EXTREMELY Careful
with Fishing Line,
Sinkers and Hooks..
Fishing and Swans

It is Safest for your Captive Pet Swans if NO Fishing is Allowed..

Fishing and Swans

I am Always Happy to See Ponds Designated “NO FISHING.”

Fishing and Swans

A BRIGHT Red Bobber… Someone was Fishing on a NO Fishing Pond.

Fishing and Swans

The Pond or Lake Your Swans Live on.. is their Home.

Fishing and Swans

What is Difficult to Accept is the Careless Disregard for the Environment
by Some – Not All – People who Fish..

Fishing and Swans

******
Fishing and Swans

Fishermen Say they Love the OutDoors.. > > > Why do they Trash It. ? ?

Fishing and Swans

Mute Swans get Blamed for All Kind of Negative Impacts
on the WaterWays they Live on.. But, this is Not Swan Waste..
Fishing and Swans******
Fishing and Swans
******
Fishing and Swans
THIS is People TRASH ! !

Fishing and Swans

I Want to Share with Folks interested in Having Swans
what Can Happen if Fishing Hooks, Lines and Sinkers
are Left in the Water where your Captive Pet Swans
and other Water Birds Live.

Fishing and Swans

Your Domestic Ducks and Geese will Suffer Injuries that Mangle them.
Many of these Fishing Related Tangles and Puncture Wounds
will Require a Visit to a Veterinarian..
Wounds can be Time Consuming to Treat.  Many are Fatal….

Fishing and Swans

This Tiny Cygnet was Barely OUT of the Nest and it is HOOKED !

Fishing and Swans

This Female Mallard became Entangled in a SIX-Pronged Barbed Hook.
She was First Hooked in the Webbing of her Foot.
Trying to Free herself with her Beak, her Tongue became Impaled.
She was Lucky, Found, Helped and Released.

Fishing and Swans

Discarded Fishing Line Around the Leg of this Goose was Cutting
in so Deeply, Saving the Leg was Questionable.
Fishing and Swans

One Hook can Destroy the Future of an Entire Family.

Fishing and Swans

A FISHING Hook is Literally a TIME BOMB
waiting to Kill any Bird or Animal that Swallows One.

Use GREAT CARE when Capturing a Swan/Cygnet that may have
ingested a Fishing Hook.
Do your BEST NOT to handle the Neck. Keep Stress as LOW as Possible.

VERY GENTLY – Touch the Neck ALL Around to feel
for any Lump that might be the Location of a Hook !!

WHAT YOU CAN NOT SEE ! !
Below an X-RAY of a Duck that Swallowed a Fishing Hook.
This would Required Risky Surgery to Remove. Outcome Unknown.
Fishing and Swans

If an Unfortunate Swan/Cygnet Swallows a Fishing Hook
OR any Bird or Waterfowl…
The SOONER it is Removed the Better the Chance
that no Long Term Harm or Death will occur.
Fishing and Swans

One of the Young Cygnets above Swallowed a Length of Fishing Line..
The Cygnet’s Owner CUT the Line at his Beak and Released him.
NO Plan to Find Out if there was a Hook or to Help him..
“He is a Wild Creature. God will take Care of him..”      ( B… S… ! )

My Heart SANK, when I learned they turned the Cygnet out to their Pond.

DO NOT CUT SWALLOWED FISHING LINE SHORT
– there MIGHT be a HOOK…

This will Aid finding the Hook.. Leave Several SECURED Inches Visible.

The Bird or Animal will BEST be helped by a Veterinarian.

Fishing and Swans

We Arranged with the County Cruelty Officer for this Cygnet
to be Removed from the Farm Pond.
He was Taken to a Veterinarian for Help.
His Weight was 40 % below what he should have Weighed.

There is NO WAY:  > > > WITHOUT an X-RAY
No way to know how Large the Hook is..
No way to know how the Hook is Oriented..
No way to know how Far Down the Hook has Gone..
NO WAY to know how many Barbs the Hook has..

If a Painful Puncture and Bleeding does Not Kill the Animal/Bird,
Fishing Hooks will Dissolve/Rust over Time..
Depending on the Size, this can take Weeks to Months..
Dissolving Metals will S-L-O-W-L-Y be Absorbed..
Heavy Metal Poisoning.

In the MEANTIME:
As the Swan/Cygnet moves about the Hook Barbs may change its
Position and Location.  Swans Twist their Necks to Drink, Eat and
Preen.. It will likely cause PAIN as it Stabs into Tender Tissues.

Fishing and Swans

Throat Tissues may become Swollen, Sore and Ulcerate.
High incidents of Infection.. Bacteria – Fungus.. Necrosis.

A Swallowed Fishing Hook may cause Chronic to Severe Bleeding..
Especially, if it Punctures a Carotid Artery or Jugular Vein.
Massive Bleeding, Loss of Blood to their Brain.
Obstructive Blood Clots.  Many Fatal Potentials.

Plant Material, which Swans Try to Eat, may be Caught and Choke
the Cygnet/Swan. Prevent Eating – High Risk of Starving.

Hook Barbs may Migrate to the Trachea – cause Airway Obstruction,
Bleeding into their Lungs. Painful Fatal Outcome.

Hook Barbs may Migrate to their Neck Vertebrae.
Damage Nerves-Impair Function. Imagine the PAIN !!

By the Time the Swan/Cygnet is in Distress from a FISHING HOOK,
it will be more Difficult to Save them. The Longer the FISHING HOOK
is in the Throat the more Treatment will likely be Needed.
Poor Prognosis.
Fishing and Swans

This Young Cygnet was Lucky. He was Rescued and taken for Help.
He did not have a Fishing Hook in his Esophagus..
BUT, he did have a Wad of Balled-up Fishing Line in his Gizzard.
The Line was Abrading the Lining of his Gizzard, causing Bleeding.
The Fishing Line was Removed, he was Treated with Antibiotics,
Time to Recover and Gain Weight.. Adopted to a New Home.

Fishing and Swans

If you SEE Fishing Line Hanging from a Swan’s Mouth…
DO NOT CUT the Line. – Leave SEVERAL Inches Visible.
Find a Way to KEEP it from being SWALLOWED Further.
TIE the Fishing Line Around a Kids SOCK.. or a Small Wash Cloth.
Something Soft that the Swan/Cygnet can NOT Swallow.
Your VET will have a BETTER Chance of Removing the HOOK.

Fishing and Swans

The Young Swan Cygnet Below was Rescued – Not Saved.. Died.

Fishing and Swans

Carelessly Discarded Fishing Line, Hooks and Lead Sinkers
have been Responsible for “Way Too Many” Waterfowl Deaths..

Fishing and Swans

Painful Tissue Injuries might be Treated after Days of Bleeding
when Infections have started.. All Blood Loss is an Emergency !

What you are Seeing is a Result of FISHING..
and NOT being Responsible for Fishing Line.. and HOOKs !

Fishing and Swans

The Pain and Stress the Swans Endure May Contribute to a Poor Outcome..

At a Pond that was to be Designated “No Fishing” – Public Fishing Continued.

Fishing and Swans

The Young Swans on this Pond were Hooked and Injured Several Times.

Fishing and Swans

******
Fishing and Swans
We Arranged for a Rescue to Occur on a Wednesday..
A Veterinarian Appointment was Made for that Evening.

Fishing and Swans

The Owner Arranged for Someone to Shoot the Juvenile Swan on Tuesday.
They were Tired of all the Expensive Veterinary Bills..
The Young Swan was a Victim Twice.. through NO Fault of his. So Sad.

They did Allow the Rescuers to Collect his Brother.
We found him a New Home.  In 2023, he was a Sire to Three Cygnets.

Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans

The Line was Caught on Rocks.. Luckily the Swan Pulled Free..
We Could Not get Hold of her.. The Hook Eventually Rusted Off.

Fishing and Swans

A Lost Bobber.. Floating out in the River..
Fishing and Swans

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The Saga of a Rescued Swan.. Who Knows how Long she was Hooked.

Fishing and Swans

A Family that had been Visiting and Feeding her… Took her Home.

Fishing and Swans
It Took Repeated Tries to Capture this Feral Mute Swan.

Fishing and Swans
A Trip to their Veterinarian.. Hook was Removed and Treated.

Fishing and Swans
Weeks of Recovery Time.. the Swan Continued to Struggle.

Fishing and Swans
She was Using her Wings to Assist her Walking.

Fishing and Swans
This Swan’s Leg was Not Ok.. She Struggled to Walk.. Victim of a Hook.

Fishing and Swans

Now she has a Home.. Beautiful and Graceful in the Water.

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SINKERs:
Lead Poisoning is a BIG Problem for Wild and Domestic Waterfowl.

Fishing and Swans

Swallowed Lead will Slowly Cause Toxic Heavy Metal Poisoning.
Difficult and Time Consuming to Treat.

Fishing and Swans

Over the Years, we have Talked with Pond Families and Helped Rescue
Way TOO Many Swans and Cygnets Entangled-Snagged
by Fishing Hooks, Lines.. So Far No Sinkers or Shot Gun Lead.

Well, that has Changed.. Late July 2023.. I Received a Call..
A Young Cygnet was being taken ASAP to an Animal Medical Hospital..
It was Found early in the Day.. Very Weak..
An XRay at a Local Vet’s Office showed a Fishing Split.
It had to be Resuscitated on Arriving at the Hospital..
Sorta Stable for 36 Hours..
Then Seizures Ended this Tiny Life.. Before Treatment could be Started.

Fishing and Swans
The Cygnet above with the Weak Neck Muscles..
Very Suspicious of Lead Poisoning..

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This OnLine Image became Real for One of Our Swan Friends.

Fishing and Swans

The Female is Young, the Cob is Older.
They were Getting to Know Each Other.

Fishing and Swans
A Fishing Bobber Floating into their Pond from the Source Stream.
The Young Female Swallowed it ?? Hook and Line. ???
It was NOT going to Pull OUT.. WAS there a HOOK ???
The Fishing Line would CUT if Tugged to Hard.

An XRay did not Show a HOOK..
But the Fishing Line was Very Tight in the Gizzard Muscle.
First Vet Said, Nothing Could be Done… but, Euthanize her.

I Recommended taking this Young Female to another Vet…
that we Know..  Dr. L. gave her a Little Sedation..
That Relaxed the Gizzard Muscles and the Fishing Line
was Gently Pulled UP and OUT !!!
Fishing and Swans

It was a 90 Minute Drive Home.. By then she was Totally Awake..
And Released Back to her Adoring Mate..  LUCKY & Happy Ending.

Fishing and Swans
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A Distressed Swan Rescued after having Tongue Impaled
by Discarded Fishing Hook.

Fishing and Swans

Some Hooks will Come OUT Easily..
Some Hooks Embed Deeply.. Cause Bleeding and Pain.

Fishing and Swans

These are the Painful Punctures Suffered by a Swan in the U.K.
after Swallowing Fishing Line attached to TWO Hooks.

Fishing and Swans

Fishing Line Tangles Wings, Legs, Necks..
Tissue Damage and Permanent Injuries are Common.

Fishing and Swans

One of their Four Month Old Cygnets was Tangled,
Struggling Likely Broke her Wing.
She Died during the Night, before she could get to the Vet’s Office.
Fishing and Swans

There are many Sad Stories I could share..
“PiP” is Another One. He was between 4–5 Months when Rescued.
A Caring Team of People spent Months Helping him Recover.
Thanks to All.
Fishing and Swans

He was Lucky to Survive his Encounter with Fishing Line.
Any Waterfowl, Birds… and other Animals can become Tangled
in Fishing Line left in their Living Environment..
Fishing Line is Strong and does not breakdown..

Fishing and Swans

He was Found with his Foot Tangled with Fishing Line.
His Struggling to Free himself caused Mutilation
of his Left Foot’s Web Tissues.

Fishing and Swans

When Rescued, the Damaged Tissues were Surgically Removed.
All the Network of Blood Vessels between his Toe Digits were Damaged.

Fishing and Swans

It was Over a Year before he was Ready for Adoption to a New Home.

Fishing and Swans

The Primary use of Webbed Feet is for Paddling through Water.
Webbed Feet have more Surface Area to Push Water Backwards
and thus Propelling the Waterfowl Forward.

Fishing and Swans

The Large Network of Blood Vessels in the Webbing is Important
to Aid Waterfowl Regulate their Body Temperature.

This Nasty Damage will Affect his Life.. He will Need to Adapt.
His Foot will Sink into Soft Muddy Dirt, be more Easily Cut.

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Entangled Waterfowl Can NOT Fly, Swim, Forage for Food
or Protect Themselves from Predators.
Tightening Constriction around the Body can cause Suffocation.

If Fishing Line gets Wrapped and Tight enough it can AMPUTATE
Legs, Wings, Strangle their Neck Affecting Breathing, etc.
While causing Gangrene as a Body Part Slowly Dies.
The Poor Helpless, Tangled Swan can easily Starve if it does not get help..

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Another Young Swan’s Life has been Changed.. Forever.

Fishing and Swans

Once Tangled in Fishing Line, the Line Tightens around her Leg
to the Point it Cut through the Skin and into the Bone
as she Struggled to Free herself.

Fishing and Swans
Infections incur, Circulation is Cut Off Resulting in Amputation.

Fishing and Swans

A Little Local was Given to Finish the Amputation..
Fishing and Swans

This is Where the Leg was Damaged – No Hope to Repair.

Fishing and Swans

She will Not be Able to Walk.. Swans are Too Large to Hop on One Leg.

Fishing and Swans

It is Hard to think about this Live Bird Suffering Endless Hours
for over 2–3 Weeks – Alone in Pain and Scared.
I do not have Words..

A Series of Dedicated People Tended Tirelessly to Help this Young Swan Recover.

An Experienced Rehab Angel in Florida.. Welcomed this Young Female.
Close to Round the Clock Care.. Weeks of Therapy.

Fishing and Swans

In the End, the Swan kept Trying to Stand to Preen..
Then Plop-down on her Abdomen.
The Abdomen Skin was Bruised Over and Over..
Damaged beyond Healing.

If this Swan would have Stayed in the Water,
she might have had a Chance.
Her Loss was Heart Wrenching for Everyone
who Tried so Hard to Save her.

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Countless Birds Suffer an Agonizing Death.

Fishing and Swans

Birds/Swans often Pick-up Fishing Line to put in their Nest.
This may have a Fatal Outcome for the Cygnets.

Fishing and Swans

******
Fishing and Swans
The Trumpeter Swan Parents Could Do Nothing to Help their Cygnet.
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Do a Simple Internet Search for ** Images Swan Fishing **
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WaterFowl Do NOT have TEETH..

Fishing and Swans

They Ingest their Food in Bites that can be Swallowed.
Swans are Vegetarians and Eat a Diet with Lots of Tough Fiber.

Fishing and Swans

These Foods Need to be Ground into Smaller Bits that will
Pass into their Digestive System.

Most Waterfowl Swallow Small Bits of Gravel that Act as “Teeth”
in their Gizzard, Breaking Down the Tough Plant Fibers
thus Aiding Digestion.

Fishing and Swans

Ingested Fishing Line can cause Intestinal Blockage and Bleeding.
Balled-up Wads of Line will Churn in the Gizzard Muscle..
Pain and Bleeding..Slow Starvation..

Fishing and Swans

Not Being a Person who Goes Fishing..
I am Using Wikipedia for the Following Information..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_sinker

A Fishing Sinker or Knoch is a Weight used in Conjunction with a
Fishing Lure or Hook to increase its Rate of Sink, Anchoring Ability,
and/or Casting Distance.

Fishing and Swans

A Lead Fishing Sinker is a Weight used to Sink a Lure
or Bait to the Bottom of the Waterway.

Fishing and Swans

Sinkers are Formed into many Shapes for Diverse Fishing Applications.
Depending on the Metals.. Swallowed Sinkers will Poison Waterfowl.

Fishing and Swans

Most Fishing Sinkers are made of Solid Lead.
Lead is Inexpensive to Produce and Mold into a Large Variety
of Shapes for Specific Fishing Applications.

Fishing and Swans

Fishing Sinkers may be as Small as 1 Gram for Applications
in Shallow Water, and even Smaller for Fly Fishing Applications,
or as Large as Several Pounds or Considerably more for Deep Sea Fishing.

Fishing and Swans

There are many Environmental Concerns Surrounding the use
of Lead and other Materials in Fishing Sinkers.
Lead in Fishing Sinkers causes Lead Poisoning in WildLife.

Anglers should be Careful when using Lead Sinkers
and if at all Possible Never Leave Lead Sinkers
in the Environment they are Enjoying.

Fishing and Swans

Any Lead Fishing Items Swallowed by Waterfowl will
Slowly Poison the Birds.. There are MANY Articles onLine..

Fishing and Swans

Treating and Saving a Swan Suffering from Lead Poisoning
is a Long and Difficult Process.. if Successful.

When I see Fishing on a Pond or Lake where Swans are Living..
I feel myself Tense – Cringe .. Immediate Worry..
> > > Too Many Sad Stories.

Fishing and Swans

*******
Fishing and Swans
A Clean, Litter Free Environment Benefits All.

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Fishing and Swans

WildLife would be Happy to See these Signs..

Fishing and Swans

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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans

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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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An OnLine Search:  Fishing Hooks Swans.. Lots of Sad Photos.
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans

You Get the Idea..  Swans and Fishing do NOT Mix Well !

Fishing and Swans

You will have FEWER Injured Swans, Ducks, Geese !

Fishing and Swans

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Thoughts, Information and Memories Collected – September 2023
An Unfortunate Work in Progress. (C) Linda M.Sweger
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We can Share the Great OutDoors.
Fishing and Swans

Fishing, Boating, Enjoying Wildlife Safely.
Did you know you can Recycle your Used Fishing Line?

Fishing and Swans

The Fishing Line Recycling Unit above was Installed by an Eagle Scout
as a Community Service Project for a Large Lake Community.
GREAT IDEA.

We hope more Fishing Folks will Use this Type of Recycling.

Do a Search for: Fishing Line Recycling Program.

Fishing Line will be Sent Back to be Recycled into Fish Habitats.

There are Products to Help Fisher Folks Recover Line.. and Hooks.

Fishing and Swans

I Learned that there are Effort to Provide Ways to ReClaim
and Dispose of Hooks, Lines and Fishing Stuff…

Please Help Reduce the Suffering.

Fishing and Swans

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Fishing and Swans
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Fishing and Swans
It is Just a Matter of Time.

SWAN CYGNETs have FRAGILE LEGS.

August 23rd, 2023 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS - (Comments Off on SWAN CYGNETs have FRAGILE LEGS.)

It is Important with Young Swan Cygnets to be Careful Handling them.

IF Possible !  > > NO Chasing ! No Twisting when you Pick them UP.
 > > > Set Cygnets Down on the Ground Gently.

Look that those CUTE LITTLE LEGs..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

As I have been Gathering Examples..
It has been Disheartening how many Swans/Cygnets
We know that have had their Legs Injured Permanently.
Many will not be Mentioned here.

It is Important with Young Cygnets to be Careful Handling them.
IF Possible. > > NO Chasing ! No Twisting when you Pick them UP.
Set Cygnets Down on the Ground Gently.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

**********************
Within Hours of Hatching Swan Cygnet are Ready to Leave their Nest.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Within 24-36 Hours Swan Cygnets are
READY to Leave the Nest and will Learn to EAT !
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

I Had to Laugh Seeing the Tiny Cygnet Tasting his Sire’s Feathers. 
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

For THREE Months Swan CYGNETs are Eating Machines !
They EAT and Poop !   Lots of Poop !!

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Cygnets have VERY Fragile Legs when Young..
A Poor Diet the first 5-6 Months.. does not Help..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Calcium is the Main Mineral they need to Develop Strong Bones.
Tiny Water Insects are Rich in Calcium and Proteins..

“Crunchy Munchies.”
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

They will Soon be Floating on the Water that is Only
a Very Short Waddle from their Nest to Start Life as Very Young Swans..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Imprinted they Follow Close to the Tail Feathers of their Parents..
Their Little Legs will be Very Active.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Swan Cygnets will Grow VERY FAST..
When Cygnets Hatch..
Their Tiny Bodies are Much like a Balloon before you Inflate with Air..
( One Way to Think of it. )
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

In 4 to 5 Months they will be 12-20 Pounds..
Depending on Many Factors..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Their Bones can not be Firm, they must be able to Stretch
into the Proper Shapes. Their Bones are just Thin Scaffolding..

First the Cute Little Webbed Feet >>>GROW..!!
Exaggerate for Fast Paddling.
They Must Keep Up with their Parents..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Then their Necks Shoot UP
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
… Within 5 Months they are Close to the Size of their Parents.. !!
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Healthy Cygnets will be “Feathered OUT..” by 5 Months.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Swans Evolved to Float and Fly.. Not to Stand or Walk..
When we Pinion them.. we Change this..
Pinioned Swans are Safer as Domestic Pets.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

For Cygnets that are NOT Pinioned.. ( Please Pinion your Cygnets )
4 to 6 Months is their Instinctive TIME to Learn to Fly
and Leg Injuries are Common.
( The Cygnet Below is Pinioned.)
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Their First Primary Wing Feathers are Larger then they will be
the Rest of their Lives..
Larger Feathers for more Control.. Softer Landings..
These are Nature’s “Training Wheel.”
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

At Six Months their Bones are Close to the Adult Size..
NOW it is Time for Bone Development Changes
and for Minerals to Start to Strengthen the Bone Scaffolding.
They will SLOWLY become Firm – more Solid/Dense..
This will take Another Year + Plus..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

BUT, Their Bones are Still Developing.. Their Legs are Still Fragile !
HANDLE Cygnets Gently. Very Little Pressure on their Legs.
They Bend Easily.. Handle like a Fine Stemware Wine Glass..

The Cygnet Below: Notice her Leg Bone ( Blue Cable Tie) is Bent.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Cygnets at 4-6 Months are Old Enough to be Cared for as Adults..
>>>Except for being VERY CAREFUL with their Legs,
which are Still Fragile and Injure Easily..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

DO NOT Chase them or Put ANY Pressure on their Legs,
No Twisting their Legs as they are Growing..
Take Care when Traveling with Young Swans/Any Swans
that you DO NOT take Turns TOO Fast or STOP Suddenly
and Knock the Swans OFF their Feet.

If there is Room in their Travel Container Swans may Stand
to Stretch their Leg while your Vehicle is Moving.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Any “Pressure Bends” CAN NOT be Corrected.
The Internal Struts in their Hollow Bones are Damaged.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The First 6-9 Month the Legs of Cygnets are Growing Fast..
Stretching into their Adult Shape and Size the Structures are Thin..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Cygnet Legs Start to Firm from ca. 8 to 24 Months..
Swan Bones are NOT as Solid as Mammal Bones.
Bird Bones Remain Light Weight.. so they can Fly..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

If Hand Raised Cygnets are Kept in a Shelter with Very Little SunShine,
Depending on their Diet, they may have an Inbalance
of Bone Healthy Vitamins, Minerals and Exercise.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Bone Density Reflects Mineral Content for Bone Firmness.

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Some Years Mute Cygnets Hatch VERY Early in the Spring.
and they are Sheltered to Protect them from the Cold…
and/or the Predators that Snatch these Tiny Fuzz Balls..

The Swan Family below Started with 6 Cygnets..
A Red-tailed Hawk Snatched 3 Cygnets within 10 Days.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Black Australian Cygnets often Hatch in COLD Weather (March)
and are Often Sheltered the First Several Weeks
when they Legs are Growing SO FAST.
Not Sure Most will have even a Kidde Pools.. or SunLight

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Being in the Water to Work their Legs is GOOD.
Allow them to SWIM as Much as Possible. ( being Safe..)
Be Sure they can get IN and OUT of the Water Easily…
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Below we Used a Kidde Pool on a Slope with the Side Cut to the Ground.
This Cygnet’s Legs were Bent when an Adult Male Sat on her..
Her Legs were Bent-Very Sore, she Scooted on her Belly.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Cracked Corn is NOT a Complete Diet.. !!!!
The General Cygnet Feeding Tips are on this Topic Page..

Feeding Swan Cygnets
https://swanlovers.net/category/feeding-swan-cygnets/
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We had Several, NOT a Large Sample of Cygnets,
that had some Leg Issues due their Poor Diet..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Correcting their Poor Diet most Cygnets did Improved..
“Abigail” is an Example..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The Commercial Poultry Feeds will have Vitamins and Calcium..etc.
Swan are Birds – Poultry Feed is for Birds..

They Need to Keep their Body Weight in Balance
with their Leg Growth.. This can be Tricky..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

As they Rapidly Gain Weight, their Legs are often under Stress..
Stress may Cause the Leg Bones to Twist.
The Bones are Stretching and Growing RAPIDLY.. They are Thin..
At Times the Cygnets Walk as if their Legs are Sore..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Some Young Cygnets may have Shaky Legs when Walking or Standing..
They Avoiding being Out of the Water.. Sitting more then Walking..

Young “Philo’s” Owner was Worried about his Shaky Legs.
As he Grew his Shaking Legs did Stop.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
I Presume this is Similar to Kids with “Growing Pains.”
I have Observed this when we Hand Raised Cygnets.

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So being in Water Helps keep their Weight OFF their Legs.
And Works ALL their Leg Muscles.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

SUNLIGHT is Important for Vitamin D.. ( Shade on HOT Days. )
Hopefully as they Grow, their Legs will Strengthen
in the Proper Shapes. Nature is Moulding them.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Personally, I would Add some Crushed Boiled Egg Shells.
A TSP to a Gallon of Feed Mixture….( OR Fine Oyster Shell )
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The Cygnets with Injured Legs were Never Quite Right..
In the Mute Swan Community, MANY Swans Limp..

The Precious Young Female below was Lucky.
She was Attacked by a Bob Cat and Escaped. One Leg was Twisted.
It took Close to a Year for her to Walk well.  She Limps.
In her Pond she is “Princess Hannah.”
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Swans that Limp or have Some Leg /Foot Issues is VERY Common.
In the Water they do Fine.. On Land.. Far from their Pond/Water..
they are more Vulnerable.. Especially when Pinioned..
Encourage your Swans to Stay Close to their Water.

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I have Learned of Too Many Swans who had Broken Legs..
They are Seldom OK..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Most of the Cygnets or Swans with Displaced Leg Fractures..
did not Survive very Long.. These Fractures did not Heal..
A Poor Blood Supply and Damaged Nerves the Legs will not Function.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

These Two Black Swan Cygnets had Poor Union of their Fractures..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

One had been Dropped Over a Fence, the Impact Broke his Leg..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The Other ( Poor Diet ) his Leg Broke when he was Hit
with a Chunk of Lettuce.. OUCH !
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

This Mature Cob was Pushed Sideways.. It Broke his One Leg.
It was Pinned and he was Confined for Weeks.. It did not Heal..SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Their Legs Died..and so did they.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

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The Xray Attached is of a Young Cygnet..
who was Fluttering Down a Hill and Landed in Shallow Water.
His Foot Hit a Flat Rock and Cracked his Leg Bone..

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

He was a Lucky One.. his Leg Healed.. Xrayed Three Times.
His Adoption was Delayed 6-7 Weeks.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Be Gentle with Swan Cygnet Legs..

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Some Broken Wings … Can be Splinted
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
or if Needed be Removed..
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Captive Waterfowl will Adapt to a Damaged Wing being Removed.

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CHECK Your Pond Area for Tangle Hazards !
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

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SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
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This was a Fun Topic Page to Organize..

Swan Cygnets Grow SO FAST Day 1 to 12 Months..
https://swanlovers.net/category/swan-cygnets-grow-so-fast/

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I am Only going to Provide Basic Information about Avian Bones..

Watching with Aww Birds Flying is Something many of us have Done.
Soaring High in the Sky.. Zipping into Trees.. Landing on Lawns.
OR Watching Waterfowl Glide onto a Water Surface.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

A Bird’s Skeleton must be Very Strong to Meet the Demands of Flight.
And Birds Need to be as Light as Possible in Order to Fly.
The Bones of Birds are Lighter in Weight than those of Mammals.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

What is the Main Difference between Bird Bones and Mammal Bones?

Bird Bones are Hollow or Semi-Hollow and have Large Air Chambers.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

Mammal Bones are Filled with Bone Marrow and Spongy Tissue.

All Birds that Fly have Hollow Bones that have many Pockets of Air.
Their Bones are held together by Thin Bar-like Structures called Struts.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The Struts Prevent the Bones from Collapsing Inward with the
Pressure of Landing.. Healthy Mature Bird Bones are Stronger
than Mammal Bones because their Bones have Denser Calcium-Minerals.

When Bird Bones Break, they tend to Shatter and Splinter
while Mammal Bones tend to Break Relatively Cleanly.

Birds have Evolved for Flight by a Reduction in Absolute Bone Mass.
Unlike Humans, who have Massive Bones, Birds have Pneumatized Bones.
Their Bones contain Hollow Structures Accessible to Air.

Their Hollow Bones are Part of the Avian Respiratory System.
These Hollow Air Chambers are Honeycombed with Criss-Crossing Struts
which Increase Structural Strength while Reducing Bone Mass.

The Pneumatic Bones, include the Skull, Humerus, Clavicle, Keel,
Pelvic Girdle, Lumbar and Sacral Vertebrae.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Organized for Your Information by Linda M. Sweger August 2023.

Below I am Adding some Individual Cygnet-Swan Stories.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

**************************************************

Sadly we have to Rescue and Move a Brood of Cygnets.
After Hours Traveling together the Cygnets were a Poopy Mess.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

We had the Cygnets in our Spare Shower for Several Days.
The Slippy Surface Caused their Legs to Splay in ALL Directions.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Terry Towels on the Shower Floor Provided Traction.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
This Brood was SO CUTE !
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

I Pinioned them and we Arranged for them
to go to a BackYard Rescue with a Pond to be Hand Raised.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

One more Shower Clean-up and we are Heading to the Rescue.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The 7 Cygnets Grew that Summer and ALL were Adopted.
A Rescued Mute Cob cared for them as his.  So Cute.
Some Adult Swans will Accept Unrelated Cygnets
OTHERs will Reject and Attack them.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The Story of “Little Cutie.”

My Summary of her Groin Injures will be Brief.. 
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

There were a Number of Unrelated Swans and Cygnets
on a Pond of a Swan Breeder.

One of the Adult Female Swans got behind this Cygnet,
Put her Feet between the Cygnet’s Legs,
and Flipped the Cygnet’s Legs Back and Upward.
This Pulled the Groin Muscles.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

This Action Disabled the Cygnet.. She could not Walk.
The Muscles were So Sore she would Barely Swim.
For Months “Little Cutie” had to be Carried from Place to Place.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

It was Puzzling to me.. This Cygnet Stopped Growing.
Her Nest Mates on the Pond Grew Normally.
By December of that Year.. “Little Cutie” Passed.

I have Witness this Disabling Behavior by Adult Pens.
If they Disable Unwanted Cygnets.. they do not Survive.
In the Wild these Cygnets would be Left Behind and Perish.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Many Adult Swans want Nothing to do with Unrelated Cygnets.

This Young Cygnet’s Legs were Bent
When a Adult Cob Sat on her.. to Kill her.
He wanted to Push the Air OUT of her Lungs.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

WEEKs of Quiet and she was Standing !
Her Overall Growth Slowed Down.. She Stunted.

Stunting occurs when there is Insufficient Nutrition
to Grow and Develop.
It is often Exacerbated by Disease and Poor Health.
“Regina” did not have a Good Appetite..

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
We Named her “Regina” – Little Queen..
Her Adopters Renamed her “Queen Elizabeth” > “Lizzie.”
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
It was Several Months before “Regina”/”Lizzie”
was able to Leave the Pond and Graze in their Grass Yard.

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS
Watching “Lizzie” Struggle to Walk was so Sad..
She was Very Vulnerable out of the Pond..
A Predator Ended her Struggle.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&    

  “Lily” was Found in our Neighborhood
after a Tropical Storm Blew Through. She was Full-Winged.
She was taken to a Swan Farm as a Rescue.
If Possible it is Good for Swans to have Company.  BUT…
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

The Older Swans Attacked her Over Night.
We brought her to our BackYard Enclosure to Recover
until we could Arrange a Forever Home.

Her Groin Muscles had been Pulled. She could barely Stand.
It took WEEKs for “Lily” to Stand, Walk and Turn Normally.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

We Arrange for “Lily” to be Pinioned by a Veterinarian.
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

“Lily’s” New Home was Full of Adventures.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

” Why is this Happening ? “

I Received a Call and an EMailed Photo of this Trumpeter Swan Cygnet.

He was One of a Brood of Four.  Three Cygnets were Healthy.
This Cygnet was Under Weight and Withdrew from the other Cygnets,
and his Legs were Turning Inward. 
SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

???? Is this a Runt.. It is Not Developing Normally.
This Cygnet did not Survive very Long.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I Hope ALL your Cygnets will be Healthy !

SWAN CYGNETs-FRAGILE LEGS

AND HAVE CUTE LEGs !

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

DO NOT “NICKEL and DIME” your SWANs to DEATH.

June 19th, 2023 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in HARDWARE DISEASE KILLs Birds and Animals. - (Comments Off on DO NOT “NICKEL and DIME” your SWANs to DEATH.)

Hardware Disease in Backyard Poultry & Waterfowl.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Hardware Disease is a Problem for All Pets, Farm & Wild Creatures.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Click Images to Enlarge.

A Basic Definition..
“Hardware Disease” in backyard Chickens and other Birds is caused
by the ingestion of Metal Objects present in their Environment.
These Objects range from Sharp Objects that Abrade and ultimately
Penetrate the Gizzard to Objects that may contain Zinc or Lead
leading to Zinc or Lead Toxicosis
or some other Heavy Metal Toxicosis > POISONING !

The Term, “Hardware Disease” is a Misnomer.
It is not a Disease. But various Health Complications that can
Result when Poultry and Waterfowl Eat Coins, Screws, Nuts,
Bolts, Nails, Staples or other Metal Fragments in their Environment.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Chickens, Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl are Attracted to
Shiny Things they find on the Ground or in their Water.
Things like Coins, Nails, Screws, HOOKs, Staples,
Aluminum Foil, Jewelry, Bits of Wire > TWIST TIES.
( Broken Glass is ALSO Shiny. ) Pieces of Broken Glass or Pottery.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

This is Extremely Dangerous and can Lead to Serious
Health Problems and Death as the Metals Break Down.

The Dissolved Metal enters the Blood Stream and Slowly
Poisons the Birds or Animals.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Small Pieces of Broken Glass or Pottery are the Cause
of Internal Cutting of the Digestive Track..

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The Esophagus, Gizzard, Intestine Lacerations or Punctures
from the Ingestion of Sharp Things are Likely Fatal.
Causing Bleeding and Infection.

One of the 2 Year Old Female Trumpeter Swans in my Swan Network
was found Floating by her Pond Edge..  Her Necropsy found Several
Cuts in her Intestine – She Bleed to Death.  WHAT did she Swallow ?

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Heavy Metal Disease is the Number One KILLER
of Healthy, Domestic Waterfowl.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

It may take Days or Weeks for Symptoms to Emerge,
and by that Time it is generally Too Late to Save them.
HardWare Disease in Waterfowl

The Birds may have a Delayed Crop Emptying, Sour
or Impacted Crop, Green Diarrhea, Stained Vent Feathers.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

If you Suspect your Chickens or Waterfowl have Swallowed
something they should not have, get you Bird to a Vet ASAP for X-Rays.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

A Blood Test for Metal Poisoning may be Requested.
And if Possible Check for Internal Bleeding. ( Bloody Poop )

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Pieces of Heavy Metal within the Upper Digestive Tract
may be Removed Endoscopically, via Gastric Lavage or Surgically.

Awareness and Prevention is Easier then trying to Treat
Birds/Waterfowl that have Swallowed any Foreign Object.
This is True for ALL Animals or Birds that Live InSide or OutSide.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Birds/Poultry/Waterfowl do NOT have Teeth.
They Do NOT Chew what they Eat.
Their Digestive System has Adapted to Unmasticated Foods.
They “Just Swallowing ANYthing” that Fits in their Beaks.

There are a Number of Processes that Modify Ingested Foods to make
the Nutrients and Organic Molecules Accessible for Cellular Function.

AVIAN DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DRAWING
Avian Digestive Systems are VERY Different from Mammals.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

In the Esophagus of many Birds there is a Pouch
called a Crop, which Stores Quickly Eaten Foods.

Swans are Grazers not Gobblers like Ducks and Geese.
When there is Adequate Foods Available,
Swans will Eat Small Amounts throughout their Day.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Ergo, Swans do NOT Seem to have much of a Crop.
Ingested Foods/Items Settle at the Bottom of their LONG Neck..

Food Passes from the Crop to the first of two Stomachs.

The First Stomach is the Proventriculus,
which Produces Digestive Juices that helps Soften Firm/Fibrous Foods.

The Second Stomach of Birds is the Gizzard,
where Food is Stored, Soaked, and Mechanically Ground.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

AVIAN GIZZARD – is the Muscular Part of their Stomach
between the Sac-like Crop and the Intestines.
It Needs and uses Grit – Small, Hard Particles of Pebbles or Sand
to Mechanically Grind Seeds, Grains and Plant Fibers into Smaller Particles.
Food is Ground-Mashed-Softened into a Digestible Mush.

Birds/Swans Swallow small Stones or Grit as they Graze
to Aid the Grinding Process in the Gizzard.
These Hard Objects from their Environment remain
in the Gizzard longer then Softening Food Materials.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

From the Gizzard, Digestible Food Passes into the Small Intestine.
Chemical Digestion and Absorption Occurs in the Intestine
so Nutrients can be used by the Body.

Birds do not have Separate Openings to Excrete Urine and Feces.
Instead, Uric Acid from the Kidneys is Secreted into the Large Intestine
and combines with the Waste from the Digestive Process.
This Waste is Excreted through an Opening called the Cloaca.

HARD Metal Objects DO NOT Just Pass through a Bird…
Depending on the Size..
If they Ingest a Hard Object, such as a Coin, Screw, Lead Fishing Sinker…

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

… these will NOT Pass through their Digestive System the way
they “might” in a Cat or Dog..
Instead they remain Rolling in the Gizzard and Slowly Dissolving..
Releasing Toxic Metal Chronically.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Iron, Lead, Copper, and Aluminum.
These Metals are Prone to Corrode-Dissolve over Time.

When “Hardware” is Swallowed the Grinding Action of the Muscle
can cause Damage to the Gizzard.
These Birds-Poultry Die from Septicemia (Blood Infection or Sepsis).
This is a Very Painful Process.. they are SUFFERING !

The Trumpeter Cygnet below.. Has NO Pink Color in his Tongue..
It is Severely Anemic and can Barely Breathe.. Few Red Blood Cells..

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs
The Birds and/or Animals are Helpless to Tell Anyone.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The Larger Pieces will Remain in their Gizzard,
Smaller Objects “may” pass through the Digestive Tract
Causing Lacerations, Perforations, Bleeding and Infections.

Domestic and Wild Waterfowl Pick up Lead Shot in the Waters
where Wild Birds are Hunted.  Waterfowl sift Mud and Silt through
their Beaks, swallowing the Grit and other Small Items.
These Small Lead Pellets are Ingested with the Grit Fowl
need to Grind Down Food in their Gizzard.

A Swan’s long Neck allows them to reach further down
under Water and this is why more Swans become Poisoned
by Lead than Ducks or Geese.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The Lead, being soft, is ground down by the Gizzard and Absorbed
into the Blood Stream, Resulting in Muscular Problems.
The Young Cygnet below.. Can not hold its Neck Erect..

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

This Gives Swans the Appearance of having a Kinked Neck, as the
Muscles Weaken and the Swans are unable to Support their Neck Correctly.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

It is Suspected that Low Levels of Lead Poisoning may Contribute to
Deaths caused by Flying Accidents, as Agility and Eyesight may be affected.
>>> No Studies have been Conducted..

The Young Cygnet below.. Flew into the Side of a Bridge..
HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The Birds/Waterfowl become Victims of their Environment.

Some Birds are able to Regurgitate Undigested Material
> Food Pellets.
Birds of Prey > Eagles, Falcons and Hawks, Spit-up Pellets.
Pellets allows them to remove some Indigestible Material
from their Proventriculus.
BUT, Even these Birds may Retain Metal Items.. and become Poisoned.

This Eagle’s XRay Shows Two Lead Pellets Retained
It only takes ONE Lead Shot Gun Pellet to Kill an Eagle.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Having Domestic Poultry/Swans is like having Small Children.
We NEED to be Aware of Objects within their Environment
that may be Ingested.

An X-ray can Detect Hardware in a Bird’s Gizzard.
The Sooner this is Checked the Better the Chance
the Object can be Removed Successfully by a Scoping.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

But without Symptoms of Illness or Suspecting or Seeing
an Ingested Metal Item NO X-Ray is ordinarily taken
of a Bird/Waterfowl/Animal with Hardware Disease.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

After the Metal Object is in the Gizzard for a While..
Surgery into the Gizzard is Technically Possible,
but usually too Risky to be Considered a Reasonable Option.
Especially when the Bird is Weakened by Metal Poisoning.
***********************

Early Symptoms of Hardware Disease include:

Decreased Appetite and Spending Time Alone.
( they are in Pain..)

More Advanced Symptoms may include:

Loss of Appetite ( possibly increase of fluid intake)
Dehydration . . . . .Vomiting
Weight Loss . . . . . Weakness and Lethargy
Watery Bright Greenish or Bloody Droppings
Drooping Wings . . . Loss of Vision
Unsteadiness . . . . Difficulty Walking
Seizures . . . . . . Death ( Suffering Ends )

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The Fact that SOMEONE would offer for SALE.. Photos of Dead Swans..
WHY ?? !!  So Sad..

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
PREVENTING – REDUCING HARDWARE DISEASE

Check Areas around your Pond, Barns, Pastures and Home
where your Waterfowl might be Wandering and Foraging.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Make Frequent Inspections of any Free Range Area
for Small Metal Objects, Coins, Glass or ANY Trash.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Small Items of Construction Materials Buried in the Dirt
from a Former Owners may Resurface.
Chickens are Good at Digging Things Up that have been
Dropped and Covered with a Thin Layer of Soil.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The Chickens are Less likely to Eat these Metal Pieces..
but your Ducks, Geese and Swans are at Risk of Ingesting them.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

They will Suffer Copper, Zinc or Lead Poisoning from
Eating Lost Coinage.. Pennies, Dimes, Nickels, etc.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Sweep with a Metal Detector after Construction or
Building – Fence Repair Projects.

Keep Track of Earrings or other Jewelry that could be Lost.

Avoid using Galvanized Metal Feeders, Waterers and Fencing.

DO NOT use Glass or Pottery in Areas the Waterfowl Visit.

When using Weed Whackers, Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws
or other Types of Equipment near your Poultry/Pond Area
be Aware these may cause Small Metal Pieces Flying about !

Check Bales of Hay, Straw and Shavings for Debris before
using them as Bedding.

Potential Sources of Lead Toxins

Fishing Weights, Sinkers and Lures. Lead Gun Shot.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Lead-based Paint and Paint Chips (especially Around older Structures)
Christmas ornaments, Toys and Toy Parts Imported from China
Coins, Costume Jewelry, Batteries.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Potential Sources of Zinc Toxins
(also known as New Wire Disease)

Galvanized Aviary Wire, Galvanized Nails and Staples.
(the more Shiny the Wire, the Higher the Zinc content)
Galvanized Metal Feeders and Waterers.
Coins, Fertilizers, Metal Contaminated Soil.

They are Hard to See in this Picture..
there are Dozens of 2 Inch Pieces of Wire Fence Trimmings
Left Laying on the Ground…. So Careless.. Deadly.
HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Zinc Hardware (Washers, Nuts, Wire)
U.S. Pennies Minted after 1983

Potential Sources of Iron Toxins

Nails, Water from Older Iron Water Pipes
High Levels of Iron (Ore) in the Soil.
Scrap Metal, Machine Parts, Decaying Metal Structures.
Insecticides Check Ingredients and Follow ALL Instructions.
Multi-vitamins
(especially a Concern if you have House Chickens or Ducks)

***********************
Burn Pits where Folks might Burn Old Wood may have Small Pieces
of Metal in the Ashes.. NAILs, STAPLEs, SCREWs, ETC. CHECK..
BOTTLE CAPs, SODA CAN TABs.. FOIL !

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs
***********************
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Over the Years I have Heard People Say:
“Pennies are NOT Worth Picking UP.”
YES, THEY ARE !!!

Objects as Simple as Lost Coins can be Fatal if Swallowed.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

The U.S. Minted Penny has been Pressed/Struck
from Different Combinations of Metal over the Years.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

1909-1956 . . . . . .95% Copper & 5% Tin and Zinc.
1856–1864 . . . . . .88% Copper & 12% Nickel.
1864–1942 . . . . . .Bronze > 95% Copper & 5% Tin and Zinc.
1943 Steel Cent . . . .Zinc-Coated Steel.
1944–1946 . . . . . .Gilding Metal > 95% Copper & 5% Zinc.
1947–1962 . . . . . .Bronze > 95% Copper & 5% Tin and Zinc.
1962–September 1982. .Gilding Metal > 95% Copper & 5% Zinc.
October 1982–Present .Copper-Plated Zinc > 97.5% Zinc & 2.5% Copper.

*************************************************
Most Nickels are 25% Nickel and 75% Copper.
1916 – 1938 Buffalo Nickel are 25% Nickel and 75% Copper.
1942 TO 1945: the SILVER WAR NICKELS
War Nickels are 56% copper, 35% Silver, and 9% Manganese.

*************************************************
Our Tiny Silver Dimes.. Easier to See and Swallow.

1796 to 1837 Dimes were Composed of 89.24% Silver & 10.76% Copper.
The Silver Percentage was Increased to 90.0% with the Seated Liberty Dime.

Dimes from 1965 to the Present are Struck from a Clad Metal
Composed of Outer Layers of 91.67% Copper & 8.33% Nickel Alloy,
Bonded to a Pure Copper Core.

*************************************************
Today’s Quarters are “Clad,” which means Coated.
Both the Quarter and Dime have a layer of Pure Copper
inside layers of a Nickel-Copper Mix.
On the Outside of a Quarter “the Bread” is a Nickel-Copper Mixture
that is Silver in Color. The “inside Filling” is Copper.
The layers of Metal help the Coins last longer in Circulation.

A Quarter’s overall Composition is 8.33% Nickel & 91.67% Copper.

Before 1965, U.S. Quarters were made of 90 % Silver.
The U.S Mint stopped making Quarters with Silver in 1965.
**************************************************
U.S. 50 Cent Piece..
In 1965, the U.S. introduced layered-composition coins made of
a pure Copper Core Sandwiched between two Cupronickel Outer Faces.

The Silver Content of Dimes and Quarters was Eliminated,
but the Kennedy Half-Dollar composition contained Silver
(reduced from 90% to 40%) from 1965 to 1970.

The Kennedy Half Dollar has been struck in four different
compositions: 90% Silver, 40% Silver Clad, Copper-Nickel, Clad, and Gold.

The Kennedy Silver Half Dollar refers to Half Dollar Coins struck
by the U.S. Mint from 1964-1970.
Only the 1964-minted Coins were composed of 90% Silver.

1965 through 1969, the U.S. Mint issued a circulating Half Dollar
with 40% Silver.

************************************************************
What is the Metal content of the Susan B Anthony Dollar?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, clad to a pure Copper Core.

************************************************************

The Information for the Penny and Dime Metal Contents
is from Wikipedia.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

ENOUGH EXAMPLES: You get the Idea..
Metal is Dangerous.  NOT for Eating.. 

So is Broken Glass, Pottery and Shards of Hard Plastics.
**********************
Hardware Disease is EXTREMELY SERIOUS.
This NEEDS to be Treated ASAP – Should NOT be Ignored.

A Visit to a Veterinarian is the Only Way to Know
what can be done.. and what Treatment will Help you Pets.

If you Suspect ANY Type of Poisoning.
Treatment by your Vet may include:

A Chelating Agent which Works by Binding With
and Filtering the Heavy Metal OUT of the Body. Takes TIME !

Vitamin B Complex (Thiamine in particular) to Prevent further
Poisoning and Allow the Body Tissues to Recover.

Anti-Convulsants to Prevent Seizures.

Bulking Agents can be Fed to Assist in Removing Small Particles
from the Intestine.

Surgery under Anesthesia to Remove Large Piece of Metal.

Antibiotics to Prevent Infection while the Bird is Recovering.

Euthanasia if Surgery is not an Option.
It is Unkind to allow these Birds to Suffer and Slowly Die.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Prevention IS Better then Treatment !
Be Vigilant at Keeping their Area Free of Metal Debris..
All Human Trash has a Potential to Cause Harm.

Hardware Disease ( and/or Heavy Metal Poisoning ),
is Very Difficult to Treat, but Most is Preventable.

Metal Detectors to Clean Pond Areas of Small Pieces of Metal..
Great Idea.
HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

Magnetic Sweepers.. WIDE Range of Prices.
Doing a Sweep for Hidden Metal may SAVE your
Chickens and Waterfowl from this Painful Condition.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

A Magnetic Sweeper Pickup Tool has Limits.
U.S. Coins are NOT Attracted to Magnets.

DO NOT TOSS Money in WATER where Waterfowl Live.

HARDWARE-METAL Kills SWANs

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

THIS TOPIC PAGE was Organized.. During 2022 and 2023.
After a Sad, Tragic Death. “What did he Swallow ?”
Compiled by PA SwanLover Linda .. (c) Linda M. Sweger
HARDWARE DISEASE in Waterfowl

My Soul is in the Sky.
— William Shakespeare,
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act V. Scene I.
********************************************************
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
THIS TOPIC PAGE will be Cross Referenced with another
TOPIC Page.. about Heavy Metal Poisoning.. Coming Soon..

SWANs GATHERING NESTING MATERIALS

February 2nd, 2023 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in Swans Gather Nest Materials - (Comments Off on SWANs GATHERING NESTING MATERIALS)

WHAT Materials do SWANs Like for their NESTs.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Topic Page will be Much Like the Subject,
BIG and MESSY…
And Filled with Memories.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

February 2nd is “Ground Hog Day.”

GROUND HOG DAY

It is a Good Time to Start Planning for your Swans Nesting.
In Six Weeks they will be Nesting.

I Realize how often I have Attempted to Shared this Information Verbally
with Folks New to having Swans..

They are Excited to Experience Swans Nesting for the First Time..
Many want to Know “WHAT Can we DO to Help the Swans ?”
or Simply What to Expect..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We have had the Fun of Visiting a Fair Number of Nesting Swans.
Some were Feral Wild – Most were Domestics on Private Property.
Some we had Visited Several Years..

If you can See what Natural Mute Swan Nests Looks Like..
Then you will Know what Materials to Gather for them.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Folks in my Swan Network have Shared their Nesting Photos.
As a Result, I have Lots of Examples.. Thanks to ALL ! 

Here Goes..!

To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Remember there are NO 100% Rules..
These are General Common Behaviors..
What I am Sharing are from our Swans Adventures.

In the Image Below.. the First Cygnet has Hatched..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

First a Basic Time Line of the Mute Swan Reproductive Season…
These General Behaviors are Similar with all Swan Species.
When they Nest during the Year will Vary.

Late Fall – Early December
The Annual Reproductive Hormones of Mute Swans are Increasing.
Pair Bonded Mute Swans will Start Courting.
Swimming Side by Side.. Sometimes Dipping their Heads..
Swans Gather Nest Materials
More Chest to Chest with Head Turning – a Display of Affection..
Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Swans will Often “Snort” with Happy Affection to Each Other.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
This is a Mature Cob ( 23 Years Old ) and a Maiden Pen ( 3 Years Old.)
This was their First Year as a Bonded Pair.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
By this TIME YOU Need to Give the Cob more Space…
Your Cob will be Protective and Aggressive..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

” NEVER Turn your Back on a Hormonal Cob ! “
DO NOT Wear White or Take White Objects when you Visit.

Never Turn Your Back on a Hormonal Male Swan
https://swanlovers.net/category/hormonal-male-swan/

Your Cob’s Brain is NOW Controlled by his Hormones.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
Swan Cobs “Strut” and “Busk”.. Threatening..!
Get TOO Close and they will FLOG !! OUCH !

Working Around an Aggressive Swan
https://swanlovers.net/category/working-around-an-aggressive-swan/

Swans Gather Nest Materials

GIVE him SPACE and Understanding..
He is doing the Job his Instincts Require.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
Swans are Ground Nesting Birds..
Cobs NEED to be Fierce to Protect their Female.
Pens are MOST Vulnerable while Nesting.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Nesting Swans will Draw Attention.. The Curious Public can be a BIG Problem.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

If the Swans’ Nest is Easily Viewed by the Public..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

It is a Good Idea to Protect your Swans and their Nest.
And to Warn the Public to Keep a Safe Distance.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Pen will Depend on her Cob to Protect her and their Cygnets.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
DO YOUR BEST to ENCOURAGE your Swans
to NEST on your Property.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Nest Needed LOTs of Coarse Dry Material..
Her Pond has Over Flowed at this Spot.. Draining Under her Nest.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

We Spent a LOT of Time with Some of these Nesting Swans..
Some Trusted us.. Some we Just had to Respect and Keep our Distance.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

You WANT your Cob to Protect their Nest !
Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Mute Pen in a Public Park is Standing over her EGGs.
Her Nest is a Huge Pile of Old Tree Leaves..
Her EGGs did not Hatch..

Swans Gather Nest Materials
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Mating Activity will Begin in January..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Mute Swans will Mate Frequently until All their EGGs
are in their Nest and Incubation has Begun.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Early to Mid-March the Mute Swans will Select a Nesting Site..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Sometimes the Cob Picks the Site, Sometimes the Pen Decides.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Pair of Mute Swans were Nesting in a Wild Feral Setting. Swans Gather Nest Materials

You will See the Pen EATING, EATING.
She will be Poking into Soft Mud for Insect Larva..

Swans Gather Nest Materials
This Supplies Protein and Calcium for her EGG Development.
It is a Good Idea to Provide a Feed Mixture with Layer Pellets
Starting in January – And again when Nesting is Over.
Female Mute Swans Eat VERY Little while “Sitting.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Cob will Gather Branches and Twigs for the Base..
One Piece at a Time.. Often Tossing them Over his Shoulder.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Cob Swings a Twig in the Direction of the Nest,
Picks it Up AGAIN and Swings the Twig Closer to the Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

It can be Interesting to Watch ALL this from a Safe Distance.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Cob has Claimed this Area.. and he WILL Protect it !
Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Cob will become more Protective of his Female.
She will be EATING, EATING, EATING !
Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Cob below is Guarding the First EGG in their Nest.
The Pen will NOT Spend much Time on the Nest
until she is Ready to Incubate her EGGs.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Mute Swans Gather Lots of Twigs and Branches.. for Drainage.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This was a Very Cute Behavior.. “Pretty Girl” was Out on the River.
It was Very Breezy.  She would Lift her Wings and “Sail” Up the River
while Singing to “Handsome Fellow.”  So Cute.
She would Turn, Float back Down River.. and Repeat..

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Mute Swans will Select a Nest Site near Water..
Their Cygnets will be Taken to the Water Soon after Hatching.
The Cygnets Need Lots of Insects their First Two Weeks.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Somehow, the Pens know where there will be LOTs of BUGs !

Swans Gather Nest Materials

It is a Good Idea to Learn about Feeding Domestic Cygnets.
So you are READY if/when they Hatch.

Feeding Swan Cygnets
https://swanlovers.net/category/feeding-swan-cygnets/

Swans Gather Nest Materials

As You View these Nest Images you will see how BIG they ARE !
And the Types of Material the Mute Swans Naturally Gather.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Many Mute Swans will Select a Place with One Protected Side..
A Tree, Large Rock, Hill, Wall, etc.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

A Protected Solid Wall in a Public Park.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
These Sister Mute Swans are Nesting with a Fence to their Back..
Their Pond is Steps Away.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

When Pens are Nesting without a Cob,
their Nests are Basically Cavity Nests.

They are Less Likely to have a BIG Twiggy Nest.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Without a Male their EGGs will Not be Fertile.. They Still NEED to Nest !

The Link Below will Provide Helpful Information.

SWAN REPLACEMENT EGGs
https://swanlovers.net/category/swan-replacement-eggs/

Female Swans without a Mature Male to Protect them are VERY Vulnerable.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

MUTE SWAN EGGs are BIG…
Swans Gather Nest Materials

As the BIG EGGs are Being Laid.. One Every Other Day..
The Pens will Preen Loosening Contour Feathers from her Brood Patch.
Her Brood Patch has Extra Blood Vessels to Transfer Warmth.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
This Allows her Warm Skin to get Close to Incubate her EGGs.

And this Lines the Nest Cavity with Soft Feathers.
“Feathering the Nest.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials

A Mute Swan Clutch may Vary from 3 to 9 EGGs.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Six BIG EGGs is a Nice Average.

A Clutch of SIX EGGs takes ELEVEN Days to Complete.
A Clutch of EIGHT EGGs takes FIFTEEN Days.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Healthy Swan EGGs can Support 25-26 Pounds of Weight Pressure.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

We were Learning.  I did Put Food Near the Nest. WRONG !
Then I Read that this is NOT a Good Idea.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
DO NOT PUT FOOD by a SWAN’s NEST
https://swanlovers.net/category/do-not-put-food-by-a-swans-nest/

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Do your Best to Remove Hazards from the Nest Area.
Things like Ropes, Cords, Wires, Trash, etc.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Swans will Rarely Poop In or Near their Nest.

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If you want to Assist your Swans by Gathering Materials for them…
These Examples will Give you Ideas of what they would Collect Naturally.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

If Trash is Near the Nest.. It will Likely End Up in the Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Once the Pen Starts to “SIT” Full-Time.. Incubation Begins.
Make a Note of this Date.. ! !

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Timing Swan Eggs to Hatching
https://swanlovers.net/category/timing-swan-eggs-to-hatch/

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The First Two Feral Mute Swan Nests we Hoped to Visit and Observe in 2006
were Flooded by Snow Melt and Heavy Spring Rains..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Gathered Reeds Acted as a Raft and their Nest Floated.
Until the Rising River became Swift and the Nest was Swept Away.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Their Second 2006 Nest was OUT on an Old Crumbled Bridge Pier..
The River Flooded their Nest after several Weeks..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

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In the Spring of 2007, the Swans’ Luck Changed and so did Ours.
The River did Rise within a Foot of Ruining their Nest Again.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
We had been Visiting with “Handsome Fellow” and “Pretty Girl”
for Close to Three Years.. Several Times a Week..
It was Wonderful how much Time they Allowed us to Spend with them.
Thanks to Digital Photography, we were able to Document this Adventure.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We went to their Remote Nest along the River every Three Days..

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Watched Quietly Sitting within Feet of the Nest..
Their Nest was HUGE..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

I was Intrigued with their Relationship.. Watching the Cob being Protective.
Listening to their Muttering Vocals.. Seeing their Tender Interactions.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Cob would Position himself between Us and his Pen.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Tender and Polite Behavior between them was Surprising.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

I Learned a Great Deal during these Visits..

The Pens Incubates the EGGs at 101 Degrees.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Mute Cobs can Protect and Keep the EGGs Warm,
But they CAN NOT Incubate.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
These Beautiful Swans …. No Words can Express.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

It was ALL Brown and Muddy – No Greens when they Started to Nest.
With each Passing Week the River Plants Helped to Hide their Location.. Almost.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

I Calculated when the Nest might Mature.. I was Off by Two Days..
As we Walked into the Nest Site we were Greeted by the Swan Family.
Three Tiny Cygnets had Hatched from their Clutch of Six EGGs.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

After 30 Minutes along the River “Pretty Girl” headed back to the Nest,
her Tiny Cygnets close behind.. It was Nap Time..  SO Cute !

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We did not get to see them at the Nest after that Day.
The Other Three EGGs.. ??? Were Missing ???

Swans Gather Nest Materials

During the Next Visit..
We Noticed that “Handsome’s” One Wing was Broken.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
“Handsome” had Protected his Family from Someone !!
His Injury was Consistent with being Hit by a Boat Oar.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
There were So Many Perils Living Free and Feral.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We were Not the Only People Watching the Swans.
All the Joy was about to become a Series of Sadness.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Before the Cygnets were 2 Weeks Old, All Three would be Taken.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Weeks Later we were Told a Person Removed the Cygnets.
All the Folks Along the River were Disappointed. Most Enjoyed the Swans.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

By Mid-July we had to Remove “Handsome Fellow” from the River.
He was Injured Several Times.. We wanted to Save him.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
We had Lots more to Learn.. ! !
And No Idea where all this would Lead. 

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The Following is an Example of Poor Nesting Material.

“George” would Annually Gather a Nest
in the Corner of the Family Herb Garden.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Year the Nesting Material was Mostly Dry Leaves and a Few Twigs.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
“Gracie” had been Laying EGGs.. Burying them while she was Off Eating.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Area had Several Days of Heavy Spring Rain… Soaking the Nest.
The Dried Leaves became Soggy Mush.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Clutch was WET and Very Blue.. Likely Spoiled. ( They were. )

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Swans’ Owners kept Hoping the EGGs would Hatch.. 15 Days OverDue.

We Assisted in Removing the EGGS !

THEY SMELLED TERRIBLE.. Surprised they DID NOT EXPLODE.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

In 2014, Heavy Spring Rains Ruined their EGGs Again..
The Nest was Getting Soggy and Mushy..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

On Day 42, we Stopped to Help Remove the Smelly EGGs.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

I Suggested Next Spring the Family Give their Swans
a LARGE BUNCH of Ornamental Grasses from their Landscaping.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Allowed to Stand and Dry Over the Winter..
Coarse Ornamental Grasses make Good Nesting Materials.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

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THE HAPPY NEST BUILDER. 
This Older Cob, “George” was a Favorite to Visit..
While Selecting these Images I Smiled and Cried.
The Spring of 2015 he had Lots of Dry Material for their Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

One Warm Spring Day, I Sat in a Safe Place and Observed “George”
as he Happily Worked with the Long Dried Grasses Left for him to Use.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
It was Wonderful to see how Happy “George” was Organizing the Stems.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

His Mate, “Gracie” was Out on the Far End of their Pond.. EATING…
Swans Gather Nest Materials
I Watched “George” Working for an Hour.  He was So Happy.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

It was Time to Go.  I Enjoyed this Show..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

As we Prepared to Leave…
I Noticed there was ONE BIG EGG in the Nest !

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We Stopped again when “Gracie” was Sitting Full-Time. 

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Now we Watch and Wait..  Sigh !
Swans Gather Nest Materials
“George” was Everything a Mute Cob should be.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

 In 2015, “George” was 28 Years Old..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

He Lived to be 30 Years Old..  I Miss “George.”


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In 2015, we had Three Mature Mute Swans on a Lovely Country Pond.

All Rescued in 2009 & 2010 when Young Cygnets..
NestMate Sisters “Brooke” & “Spring.”  And Unrelated “Meadow.”
We were Very Lucky this Threesome was Happy Together.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
We wanted to Encourage the Swans to Nest on the Pond’s Island.
Over the Winter Months we Collected Lots of Fallen Tree Debris.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Swans Watched us for Weeks as we Put the Branches and Twigs on a Pile.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
In Early April we Started to Add Dry Ornamental Grasses.
The Swans Got the Hint !! and Did Start to Work All this into a BIG Messy Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
“Meadow” was Surprisingly Tolerant of our Being Close to the Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
“Brooke” is Usually the First to Nest.  “Spring” Two Weeks Later.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

BIG SMILE >> There are EGGs in the Nest !

Swans Gather Nest Materials

NOW “Meadow” was Protecting the Nest Area !!  
Time for us to Observe from a Safer Place.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Spring the Sisters Decided to Nest Together.
Most Years they Gathered Separate Nests..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

“Meadow” was Patrolling, Busking, Macho BIG and Doing his Job.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Incubation is 37 Days.. Not Much Happening..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Watching the Girls Turning their EGGs.. ALL Wings and Necks..

This was the First and LAST Time they Shared the Same Nest.
The Girls Learned it is Better to have “Your Own Nest.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials

They were Very Patient with Each Other..
And, I did Enjoy having this Photo Opportunity..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Girls took Turns Leaving the Nest for Short Breaks.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

“Brooke” Left the Nest on her 42nd Day.. She did Not Return.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Sweet “Spring” had TWO More Weeks to “Sit.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Most of their EGGs had been Stolen by Raccoons.
Several were Unfertile and had Started to Rot.. Smelling Awful !
Several of the Replacement EGGs made from Real Swan EGGs were Missing.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

It was Time to End “Spring’s” Nesting for this Year..  So she would Start to Eat.
I Walked Slow toward her and Watched her Leave the Nest.
She went into the Water for a Break.  I had Tossed Chopped Green in the Water.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

She was Busy with the Floating Vegetables as I Removed the Last Three EGGs.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

By the Following Morning.. the Nest was Closed.
“Spring” did not Return..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

In a Few Days, we Gathered all the Nest Material for Compost.

Old Nests are Great Places for Mice, Snakes, Insects, etc.
The Old Nest Materials will Rot and Mildew..
It is Better to Start with New Nest Materials Next Year.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

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The Pond below had Two Females Living Together.  No Male. 
Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Pens have their Nest Very Close to the Pond..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

They were Gathering Dried Flower Bed Debris..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

By the Time her EGGs were ALL in the Nest,
The Plants were Growing.. to Surround her.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

This Nest was Gathered by a Pen that did not have a Male
to Protect her Nest.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Each Time she Laid an EGG it was Stolen.
The Pen can NOT Protect or Sit on her EGGs until ALL are in the Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

With a Brood Pair, the Cob will Guard the EGGs until ALL are Laid.
His Body Can NOT Incubate the EGGs..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Proud Cob is Protecting their EGGs.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

SIX BIG BEAUTIFUL EGGs.  It is TIME to Incubate.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
Several Times a Week we would Bring a Handful of New Material
for her Nest.  “Nest Gifts” Ferns, Twigs, Dried Grasses.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
This gives the Pen Something to Do.. while she is “Sitting.”
ONLY Do this if your Swans Trust You !
Swans Gather Nest Materials
OR Put your “Nest Gifts” in a Place your Pen can See them.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

“Meadow” was 13 Years Old.. Summer 2022.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

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The Mute Swan Nesting below is on a Pile of Straw.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

By the End of her Time the Nest was Very Damp and Mildewing..
None of her EGGs Hatched.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

These Trumpeter Swans had Straw for their Nest.. None of their EGGS Hatched.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Over and Over Straw OUT in the Weather had Poor Results.

The Straw Nest Below was Sheltered from Rain.. and Cygnets HATCHED !
Swans Gather Nest Materials

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In the Spring – Summer of 2009,
we had a Number of Heavy Rain Storms.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Our Pen SAT Tight on her EGGs.. Keeping them Dry.
She Spread her Wings a Bit so the Rain Ran Around the Cavity.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Her Nest had Good Drainage and the EGGs were Dry.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Pens Count their EGGs before Leaving the Nest
for a Quick Break.. and Again when she Returns.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The Young Pen below was Living Alone on her Pond.
She was Using this Stand of Dried Ornamental Grass to Create a Nest.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

This Mature Black Australian Cob liked this Raked Pile of Fall Leaves..
No EGGs, No Mate .. Just an Instinct to “Sit.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Black Australian Swans Nest Twice each Year.
They will Frequently use a Shelter to Nest.. ( Needs to be Secure at Night.)
Using Clean Straw is Reasonable since it will Not be Getting Wet..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

These Black Swans did Hatch Cygnets..

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

This Pen’s Nest is Perched on a Fallen Log.. Great Drainage.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

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This is the Remains of a Swans’ Nest we found Along a Creek.
The Swan Family had Left by the Time we Learned of them.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

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Semi-Wild Mute Swans Nesting on a Large Community Lake.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Different Swan Nests from the Same Large Lake..
Swans Gather Nest MaterialsAnother Mute Swan Nest from the Same Large Lake..

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This Nest was Gathered on the Bank of a Private Pond.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Lots of Plant Material to Gather for her Nest.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Beautiful Mute Pens “Sitting.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials

This is a VERY COOL SHOT… THANKs Nick !
Swans Gather Nest Materials

These are Mute Swans on a Large Private Mountain Lake.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

I Love to Snap Photos..
and I have Learned many Interesting Things as I Review these Images.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

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These Pens had Unfertile EGGs.  No Cygnets.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

Look Closely.. there are Tiny Cygnets.  
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Swan Photos have been Share from Far and Wide.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Swans Below Placed their Nest Next to Ornamental Grasses.
The Pen had a Solid Wall behind her.. and was Close to the Pond.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

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We Set-up this Temporary Fencing to Help Protect a Nest Area.

There were Numbers of Foxes and People
that Moved Freely in this Semi-Public Place.
Occasionally People Walking their Unleashed Dogs..

Swans Gather Nest Materials
I was able to Find this Wooden Snow Fencing at Tractor Supply.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We Collected a Variety of Twigs and Dried Ornamental Grasses.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

We Fed the Swans Close to the New Fencing..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Lots of Photos were Taken on Cloudy Days.. Terrible Color..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Swans seemed Comfortable by the Nest Site.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

For Days we Observed “Handsome” Working inside the Fencing.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Swans were Mating, Mating, Mating.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
We were Sure our Plan was Working.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

A Busy Cob Arranging the Nest Materials.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

We were Enjoying Watching the Swans at this Early Stage of Nesting.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
We Expected to See EGGs in the Nest Soon..
Swans Gather Nest Materials
One Spring Morning the Swans were Gone.. !!
The Rogue Swan, “Jezebelle – Harmony” did not want to Nest by the Pond..
There were Spring Golf Carts Buzzing About, Trees were being Cut Down.
Large Trucks were Rumbling by Several Times a Day.
She had Lived Feral and wanted a More Private Place.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
Our Best Guess… the Swans Walked Down the Small Stream
that Drains the Fine and Private Place Pond.
We Found the Swans.  They Decided to Nest along a Local Creek.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

These were Two of the Swans we had Visited for Years along the River.
“Handsome Fellow” & “Sweet Harmony”  ( aka “Jezebelle” )
They had Lived Free and Feral.. They had Taken their Wild Life Back.
We Tried to Keep them Safe.. Now we had Little Control.

“Handsome Fellow’s” Previous Female “Pretty Girl” had been Shot
at the Beginning of the 2008 Canada Hunting Season..

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More and More I Hear Swan Owners Planning for a Floating Platform
for the Swans to Nest on..  Pens are SO Vulnerable while Nesting.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

SWAN FLOATING NEST Box-Platform
https://swanlovers.net/category/swan-floating-nest-box-platform/

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There are Many Types of Swan Nests.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

I Added some Dried Hydrangea Blooms just for Fun.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

The Bushy Growth of Ornament Grasses make Good Camouflage.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

“Meadow” had Fun Play-Hiding under the Tall Grasses..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

LOCATION is Also a Factor for a Swan Nest.

Their Nests are Close to Water.
Along a Creek or River Flooding is a Problem.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

We Watch the Swans Living Wild-Feral Lose most of their Nests.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
These Swans were Flooded Twice in Spring 2009.
They Surprised us by Gathering a Third Nest.
Adding MORE Mud Under the Twigs..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

“Harmony” laid Four Eggs for her Third Early Summer Clutch.
One was Stolen… Three Hatched July 14-15th..
Two Cygnets Died in the Nest.. The One Surviving Cygnet is our “Meadow.”

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Above…
The Nest was SO HIGH.. that it Took the Tiny Cygnet quite a while to Climb
UP into the Nest the Very First Time..  “Harmony” Called him from the Top.
“Handsome” Encouraged and Guided his Little Legs from below.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
While the Swans were Out on the Creek with Little “Meadow”
We Added Mulch Type Material for a Soft Easy Ramp.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

One of the Adult Swans would Check the Nest
before the Cygnet Waddled Up for his Naps.

Swans Gather Nest Materials
Each Time we Witnessed the Swans Returning to their Nest,
One of the Adults would Approach the Nest and Check for any Danger
before Allowing the Cygnet to Scamper Up.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Swan Family Used the Nest for Four Days and Nights..
The Fifth Morning, “Handsome” Stood for a Very Long Time
Studying the Nest.. Watching.. Listening.
He did not Allow the Family to Return.. Instead Closed the Nest.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
I have Witnessed Several Cobs do this.. Check the Nest One Last Time.
Place a Few Twigs in the Cavity.. and Leave for the Season..
Reminds me of Closing Up a Summer Home and Leaving.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
The Swan Family headed off along the Creek..
“Thank You” to ALL the Home Owners along the Creek
Who Allowed us to Visit with the Swans along their BackYard Water’s Edge.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
These Swan Sagas are Long and Winding..

In the End..  We had to Rescue Little “Meadow” at Five Weeks Old,
a Snapping Turtle Severely Damaged his One Foot.

In November 2009, “Sweet Harmony” was Shot..
“Handsome Fellow” Disappeared at the End of January  2010.
We Never Learned his Fate.

“Meadow” was in our Care at our Home for Nine Months.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
There are Many Chapters to our Swan Stories from then to Now..

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YES, Back to Water, Water Everywhere !  AND Nest Examples.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
Spring Rains Often Spoil EGGs.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

Another Reason EGGs are Spoiled.. COLD Spring Weather !
Snow and Freezing Temperatures when they Nest Early.
Swans Gather Nest Materials
Out in the Elements.. Many EGGs Freeze and Crack..  DISCARD These.
Swans Gather Nest Materials

When Cygnets Hatch in Cold Weather, they Need a Dry Nest
for their Dam to Keep them Warm.
Tiny Cygnets can NOT Thermo-Regulate..

Swans Gather Nest Materials
They Need the Warmth of the Adult Swans.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

It is Wonderful when the Swans are Safe.

Swans Gather Nest Materials

With Your Planning and some Luck.. 

Swans Gather Nest Materials

******
This is the Goal of Nesting Swans..  Tiny Cygnets..
Swans Gather Nest Materials

******
Thanks for Allowing me to Ramble about Some of Our Swan Adventures. 

*****
I am about Finished.
*****
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This Topic Page is Being Uploaded with Images we have Gathered
Over the Years we were OUT and About Visiting Swans.
THANKS to ALL who Shared their Swans with Us..
PA SwanLover Linda M. Sweger         February 2023
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DEADLY AVIAN INFLUENZA is ON the WING.

November 5th, 2022 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in DEADLY AVIAN INFLUENZA - (Comments Off on DEADLY AVIAN INFLUENZA is ON the WING.)

Here in Pennsylvania
https://extension.psu.edu/avian-influenza

If you suspect HPAI in your BackYard Flock ( Swans ), contact:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) emergency number:   ( 717 ) 772-2852
    • (press option 1 to reach the veterinarian on call)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) toll-free hotline at   1  ( 866 ) 536-7593

AVIAN FLU Mask

This is a Topic that I Hoped I would Never NEED to Post to SwanLovers.net

Click Images to Enlarge.

I am going to Post a Basic Summary here as of November 2022

InterChangeable Terms:
Avian Influenza – Bird Influenza – Avian Flu – Bird Flu.

Every Spring for the Past 12-15 Years, I have Scanned
the Internet for Articles Posted about Positive Avian Influenza Cases.
I made Note of which U.S. States had Positive Cases.

Outbreaks are all too Common in Other Countries..
AVIAN INFLUENZA

*******************
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Avian Influenza Outbreaks are Increasing around the World.
During the Opening Weeks of 2022, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
found a Total of 317 New Outbreaks in Poultry were Reported by 25 Countries and Territories:

AVIAN INFLUENZA

Europe is having Large Outbreaks in Wild, Domestic Birds and their Poultry Industry.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

European Countries are Culling many Millions of Birds trying to Control the Spread..
AVIAN INFLUENZA

HPAI A(H5N1) is One of the most Contagious Viruses occurring among Birds.
Infected Wild Birds on their Migratory Route are the Main Way that these
Viruses are Spreads. Birds Shed Avian Influenza A Viruses
in their Saliva, Nasal Secretions, and Fecal Waste.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Hundreds of Species of Bird and Waterfowl Carry these Viruses.
There are Numerous Strains of Avian Influenza.. Appx. 144 are Possible.
Some are Mild.. but, the Deadly Strains are Just that.. Deadly.

More CDC Information if you Want to Read it..
https://tools.cdc.gov/medialibrary/index.aspx#/microsite/id/297550
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Until this Year, it has been a Rarity for the Avian Influenza Virus to be Found
in the Northeastern United States.  Pennsylvania is in the Atlantic Flyway.

FLYWAYs 4 North American Migration Zone

No Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses had been
detected in Pennsylvania since the 1983-84 Outbreak.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

*************** This Warning was Issued in Early 2022.AVIAN INFLUENZA

In January 2022, the Virus was First Detected along the Atlantic Flyway in South Carolina.
As the 2022 Spring Bird Migration moved North Numerous States along the East Coast
Reported Positive Cases in Wild Birds and Several BackYard Flocks.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

WildLife Organizations had to Turn Away Sick and Injured Birds Fearing their
Facilities would be Contaminated and Sicken or Kill the Birds Currently in their Care.

Avian Influenza

By March 25, 2022 Millions of Birds in at least 17 States were being Rapidly Killed
in a Determined Attempt to bring a Dangerous Strain of Avian Flu under Control.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

As of April 15, 2022, Infected Birds in Commercial and Backyard Poultry Flocks
had been Confirmed in 27 States including most States surrounding Pennsylvania.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

April 18, 2022 a Dead Bald Eagle found in Chester County, PA Tested Positive !
So it Began in our State of Pennsylvania.
BALD EAGLE AVIAN INFLUENZA

PYS.ORG  https://phys.org/news/2022-12-million-birds-affected-outbreak-avian.html

The Wildlife Futures Program and
the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS),
Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine has ramped up its HPAI-related Diagnostics Work,
supporting agencies including the Pennsylvania Game Commission and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture in monitoring for the disease
.  .  . in both wild and domestic birds.

Even when there is not an Active Disease Outbreak,
PADLS regularly performs Avian Influenza Tests as part of Statewide
Surveillance Monitoring .
“We are available every weekday and are on call over the weekends.”

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – USDA
USDA Avian Influenza

In May 2022, USDA says Department of Agriculture Reports Bird Flu in 34 States.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

This Year the Deadly Virus has been VERY Active in Pennsylvania.
Statewide, HPAI has Infected at least 17 Commercial Turkey and Chicken Farms
and at least One Backyard Flock, leading to the Culling of more than 4.2 Million Birds.”
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Numerous Poultry Farms in Lancaster County PA were Quarantined for Months..
AVIAN INFLUENZA

As of October 2022, 45 States had Positive Cases..
More then 44 Million Domestic-Commercial Poultry have been Depopulated
on Poultry Farms in Multiple States.
AVIAN INFLUENZA


Resulting in the Price of Turkey, Chicken and Eggs to Increase.

AVIAN INFLUENZA BIO SECURITY AREA


CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Updates

Bird Flu Current Situation Summary
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

H5N1 Bird Flu Detections across the United States (Backyard and Commercial)
This Site will Show the Distribution of Avian Influenza across the U.S.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/data-map-commercial.html

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Realistically, Swan Lovers are Helpless to Prevent this..
Until an Effective Vaccine is Available..  This may be a Long Way Off.
I have been Reading about the Challenges of Developing Effective Vaccines
for the Poultry Industry.  What Additional Costs will this Mean ??

What Vaccine Dose is Effective ??
How Long does the Effective Immunity Last ??
How Often will Booster Vaccines be Needed ??
Will there Still be Mild Active Cases in the Birds ??
Will this Lead to Mutations and New Variant Strains of the Viruses ??
How do Farms Monitor Thousands of Birds ??
Will People be Willing to Consume Poultry that was Vaccinated ??

France is Working on this Research for the Poultry Industries.
Culling to Control the Avian Influenza Viruses is Not Working as Hoped.
Millions of Ducks, Geese, Turkeys are Destroyed during OutBreaks.

Having a Vaccine for our BackYard Poultry is not Realistic in 2022.

AVIAN INFLUENZA

Since December of 2019 Covid-19 and its Variant Viruses have Spread
to ALL Parts of the World and has been Handled Differently by each Country.
If this has done Anything, it is to make Humanity AWARE of how Difficult
it is to Control and Avoid a Tiny Protein Fragment that we can not See.. ( SIGH )

We are now Living with the Covid Viruses.. it is Endemic – here to Stay.
These Avian Influenza Viruses are now also Endemic in North America.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

To Protect our BackYard Poultry and Captive Pet Pond Swans –
The Standard Recommendation is:
To Put our Domestic Waterfowl INSIDE during Spring and Fall Migration Seasons..
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Spring Migration Averages February through Early April.
Fall Migration Averages Late September through November.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Swans would be Sheltered Inside 5 to 6 Months of the Year.
Swans become Hormonal and Start Mating in January.
AVIAN INFLUENZA
Swans NEED to be in 3 to 5 Feet of Water to Safely Mate..
NOT in a Kidde Pool. This would be Dangerous for the Pen.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Mute Swans are Nest Building in March..
AVIAN INFLUENZA
They Continue Mating as BIG Eggs are being Laid in their Nest.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

I Can NOT Imagine Confining our Swans this Way..

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

There are Lots of Informative Websites
to Read for the Location of Current Avian Influenza Outbreaks.

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm

CURRENT AVIAN INFLUENZA

The Current Policies of Individual States..
What to Do.. ??? Who to Call.. ???
when your Healthy Domestic Pets Die Suddenly with NO Warning.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

FIRST STEP    WEAR MASK and GLOVEs. 
Carefully Place your Pet/Bird in Double Plastic Bags.
Keep in a Cool Place.       Wash Well Afterwards.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Consult your States Department of Agriculture..AS SOON as Possible.

 

Here in Pennsylvania
https://extension.psu.edu/avian-influenza

A New Lines of Research by Penn Vet Researchers aims to understand
at the Genetic Level, the Reasons this Particular Virus is causing so much Harm.

If you suspect HPAI in your BackYard Flock ( Swans ), contact:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) emergency number:  ( 717 ) 772-2852
    • (press option 1 to reach the veterinarian on call)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) toll-free hotline at   1  ( 866 ) 536-7593

For Questions Concerning your ** Domestic Poultry.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

>>> IN PENNSYLVANIA – Reporting Requirements
If you Suspect your Domestic Poultry is Infected with Avian Influenza,
PLEASE Report your Concerns 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services
at ( 717 ) 772-2852, Option 1.

This Information Helps the State Know what Areas
or Counties need to be Watched or Warned..
AVIAN INFLUENZA

*********
AVIAN INFLUENZA PA MAP

Report Sick Domestic Birds or Unusual Deaths
to State/Federal Officials, either through your State Veterinarian
or through the U.S Department of Agriculture.  ( USDA )
>>> Contacted Toll-Free at 1 ( 866 ) 536-7593.

Diagnosis of Avian Influenza
www.cdc.gov/CDC – GOV?flu/avianflu/wildbirds.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

>>> Report Sick or Dead Wild Birds to:
The Pennsylvania Game Commission at
1 ( 610 ) 926-3136 or pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov.
DEAD CANADA GEESE

They will Provide the Current Information about what to do with these Birds.

Call and Someone may come for a Test Sample.
These Agencies have Trained Staff to Collect Samples.
DO NOT Take Dead Birds to Anyone..Unless Instructed.

WEAR MASK and GLOVEs. 
Carefully Place the/these Dead Birds in Double Plastic Bags.
Keep in a Cool Place.       Wash Well Afterwards.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Poultry Owners should get a Premise Identification Number
from the State Department of Agriculture.
Applications can be Filled-out Online by Clicking on
the “Premises Registration Form” Link at www.agriculture.pa.gov

This will Allow the Dept of Agriculture to WARN you
if Avian Influenza is Found in your Area.
AVIAN INFL VULTURE

If you have had Contact with Sick or Dead Domestic or Wild Birds
and are Not Feeling Well, Contact your Primary Care Physician
or the PA Department of Health at 1 ( 877 ) 724-3258.

If Any of these Phone Number do not Work..
Check OnLine for a Number..

**************************
SUDDEN Death of Healthy Waterfowl/Poultry.
Seeing your Pets Die Suddenly is Shocking.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

Clinical Signs of Avian Influenza.
The Incubation Period is Hours to Days, Depending on Age, Sex,
Species affected, Concurrent Infections and Pathogenicity of the Virus Strain.

Mortality is Rapid with the Virulent Strains.
“We have seen Cases where the Birds were Perfectly Fine,
and then TWO Hours Later, a Third of the Flock was Dead.”

AVIAN INFLUENZA

Poultry: You will Observe Unusual Behavior, Nervous Disorder,
Depression, Sinusitis, Off Feed and Diarrhea may be seen.
Their Upper Respiratory System Fills-up with Fluid,
Notable Respiratory Distress, Coughing, Sneezing, Rales.

At their Endpoint, the Birds may Suffer Hemorrhagic Conditions.
You may see Spots of Blood around their Nares,
Bruising of the Face and Legs as they Succumb to the Disease.

The Presence of Clinical Disease alone is not Diagnostic.
There are other Viruses and Pathogenic Bacteria that are also Deadly.
A FLU VIRUS

Duck Viral Enteritis – DVE Spreads during Migration.
Duck Plague is a Worldwide Disease caused by Anatid alphaherpesvirus –
1 of the family Herpesviridae that causes Acute Disease with High Mortality
in flocks of Ducks, Geese, and Swans.
DUCKs DVE VICTIMs

***********

DUCKs DVE VICTIMs

Avian Botulism – Anaerobic Clostrida Bacteria that Secretes Deadly Toxins
are commonly found in Sticky, Decaying, Organic Mud.
AVIAN BOTULISM

Avian Botulism causes Flaccid Paralysis.  Infected Birds often show Weakness,
Lethargy, Inability to Walk, Fly, or Hold their Heads up.
Paralysis can Lead to Drowning before Progressing to a more Advanced Disease State.
The Degree of Clinical Signs depends upon the Amount of Neurotoxin Ingested.

We Lost both of the Sweet Pens below to Avian Botulism soon after Nesting.
SWAN PENs A Botulism Deaths

There are Many Viruses and Bacteria that can Infect our Domestics.
With a Wide Range from Mild to Deadly Affects.
You will Only Know the Cause of the Death by having them TESTED !
AVIAN BOTULISM

TYPE OF SAMPLES FOR Avian Influenza DIAGNOSTICS
Swabs of the Trachea or Oropharynx and Cloaca are used to Test
for Influenza Virus.

The Preferred Sample for Waterfowl is a Cloacal Swab.

*******************
How Long does Avian Influenza Last in the Environment?
Avian Influenza (AI) Viruses can Survive Outside a Host for Long Periods
depending on Temperature and Humidity of the Environment.
The Virus can LIVE for up to One Month Inside a Poultry House at 40 ºF.
Avian Influenza

Species Affected:
Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Pheasants, Ostriches, Peacocks, Sea Gulls,
Vultures, Crows, Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Quail, Geese, Swans, Etc.
AVIAN INFLUENZA
>>> ANY Feathered Bird.

*******************
Avian Flu Symptoms for Birds – Sudden Death without any Physical Signs.
Lack of Energy, Coordination and Appetite.  Diarrhea.
Nasal Discharge, Swelling of the Head, Eyelids, and Hocks.
Purple Discoloration of the Wattles, Combs, and Legs.
Soft-Shelled or Misshapen Eggs.
AVIAN INFLUENZA
*******************
Per the USDA – In October 2022
Currently if you have a Domestic Bird or Birds Test Positive…
they are NOT Requiring your Healthy BackYard Poultry to be Destroyed..

AVIAN INFLUENZA

But, they will Ask you to Quarantine your Property for 10-14 Days.
No Movement of Poultry during that Time..
*******************

Requirements will be Different for Commercial Poultry Farms.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

******* Various States along the East Coast are having Fall OutBreaks.
AVIAN INFLUENZA

*******
During the Summer and Early Fall of 2022, I have heard Too Many SAD Stories
of Captive Pet Swans Dying SUDDENLY – No Warning, NO Signs of Illness.
A few have been Tested.. Most Positive for Avian Influenza..
AVIAN INFLUENZA

The Healthy Swans above Died within 36 Hours of Each Other.  SHOCKING.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Many of the Photo Images I have Included were Found Online.
I want to THANK All these Photographers.
We ALL Want to Alert Other of this Terrible Avian Virus.

Updated December  2022   by Linda M. Sweger

I HOPE ALL Your Swans & Pet Poultry will be OK.
It will be a Scary Time for ALL of Us during Migration Seasons…
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Take Time to Enjoy your Swans Every Day..

AVIAN INFLUENZA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO NOT PUT FOOD Near a SWAN’s NEST

April 9th, 2022 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in DO NOT PUT FOOD by a SWAN's NEST - (Comments Off on DO NOT PUT FOOD Near a SWAN’s NEST)

Nesting Swans
CLICK to Enlarge Images 

DO NOT PUT FOOD Near a SWAN’s NEST

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

I Must Warn Against Placing ANY Food by a Waterfowl – SWAN’s Nest.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

I Thought this would Not be a Large Topic Page..
Then as I Collected Notes and Learned about
” WHO EATs WHO ? “ This Page Grew..
Nesting Swans WHO Eats WHO

We have All Experienced a Chain of Events that Ended Badly.

I am NOT going to be Able to Include EVERY Possible
Combination of the Chains of Natural Food Webs..
I think you will get the Idea from what I am Including..

I Hope you will Think about this to Protect your Swans.
IF ALL this Helps SAVE just ONE Swan..
It will be Worth the Time it Took me to Organize this Page.
***********************************

Rob and I had the Opportunity to Visit with Several Feral-Wild
Mute Swans Living along our Local River System..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

We Visited these Swans and their Nest Areas Several Days a Week
over Several Years. It was a Magical Time.

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Lots of Photos.. Lots of HeartBreak. Learned a LOT.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
We Learned Wild Swans will not “Nest” where they Live…
and they do not Live where they “Nest.”
Nesting Swans

Generally they would Go a Half Mile or so Away…
Picking a Location AWAY from Humans..
Away from the Food Treats and Support.
This is in Early Spring. There is Little Natural Foods.
The Swans KNEW what they Needed..
Nesting Swans

Before these Pens Start to “Sit,” while they are Laying their Clutch of Eggs..
they will be EATING.. Lots of Eating.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

She is Digging in Soft Mud for Insect Larva..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
But, Once the Pens are ON their EGGs “Incubating,” it is Close to Fasting Time.
Nesting Swans

As Ground Nesting Birds, Swans are VERY Vulnerable…
The Cob and/or Pen may be able to BEAT off a Predator..
but, they may Develop Fatal Infections if Bitten or Scratched..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

The Pens are the most Likely to be Killed while Nesting.
Many Pens will “SIT” on their Eggs as they are Being Attacked.

Swans and Most Waterfowl are Prey..
They become Food for Meat Eating Birds, Mammals, Reptiles..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Putting Food Near the Nest is Risky.. It Invited Predators.
Swans are So Messy when they Eat that Some Feed Gets Dropped on the Ground..
Wet Feed Smells like Dog Food..

Most Swan Nests are Near Water..
Dampness will Aid in the Breakdown of Foods..
Dampness is a Great Environment for Mosquitoes..
Which can Carry Viruses: West Nile, Viral Encephalitis, Zika Fever.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

We had a Tiny Cygnet that had Encephalitis..
It Damage Areas in her Brain.. She behaved more like a Lizard..
We had to make a Hard and Sad Decision for her.
Nesting Swans Mute Swan Cygnet Encephalitis

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus is a Mosquito-borne Alphavirus,
It Cycles between Mosquitoes and Birds in Freshwater Swampy Areas.

Your Cob will Still be Eating – Patrolling and Guarding.
Place his Feed Container Away from the Nest Area..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Keep ALL Feed/Food at Least 30-40 Feet from the Nest.

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

A Pan of Clean (Change Daily) Cold Water on Hot Days
Placed several Feet from the Nest is often “Welcomed” by the Pens.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Nature Evolved the Mute Swan Pens to Barely Eat During Nesting.
Nature WANTs these Pens to be HUNGRY when the Cygnets Hatch..
SO, the Dam will Take her Cygnets to Feast
on Tiny Water Bugs and Critters and Plant Materials
that she will Stir up as she is Finally EATING again..
Nesting Swans

After 35 Days of Incubating her Developing Eggs..
the Cygnets will Start to Wiggle and Peep..
This Signals the Pen.. and her Hunger Returns.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

The Pen’s Sudden Hunger is a “Symptom” of Imminent Nest Maturity.
Usually One to Two Days before the First Cygnet Hatches…
the Female will Spend Time OFF the Nest Eating EVERYTHING
she can find within a Short Distance of the Nest.  …Over 30 Feet Away.Nesting Swans Who Eats WhoTheir Cygnets are Wiggling and “Piping.”  WE Could Hear them ! 
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

The Clutch/Brood of Cygnets will Generally Hatch within 48 Hours..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
The Pen and Cob will Take their Healthy Cygnets to Areas
where there are LOTs of Insects.. A “Buggy Cafeteria..”
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

The Cygnets must go to the Water by their Third Day to Start EATING.
“BUGS are the GRUB” for their First 10 Days… LOTS and LOTS of Bugs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

This is Nature’s Plan..
Your Role is to Provide a GOOD Healthy Diet during the Winter Months..
so you Pen is Healthy going into her Nesting Weeks..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Keeping Food AWAY from the Nest Area..
is NOT Going to Completely Prevent all the Hazards to the Nest..
But, Why Invite Trouble. ??

Just a Little Protein Based Feed or Starchy Corn/Wheat
can Result in a Chain Reaction of Unwanted Pests > Predators..
********************************************

Dropped Feed will Invite a Wide Range of Unwanted Creatures..

FIRST GROUP:
The Spoiled-Decomposing Food Droppings will be Replaced by
“The DECOMPOSERs” BACTERIA, MOLDs, YEASTs, FUNGUS.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

BACTERIA:  There are Thousands of Environmental Bacteria.
…..A Fair Number of these Cause Serious Diseases.
…..Staph and Coliform Infections are Common and a Challenge to Treat.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..There are Millions of Animals who EAT Bacteria as Part of their Diet.
…..BACTERIA are Very Good at Absorbing Mineral Nutrients from the Environment.
…..BACTERIA are at the Bottom of most Food Chains on Earth.
…..BACTERIA Attract a Wide Variety of Critters.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

MOLDs:  Old Food Sours, Smells and Rots..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..The Smell of MOLD Attracts TERMITEs.
…..FUNGUS GNATs and MOLD MITEs are two Pests closely Associated with MOLDs.
…..COCKROACHEs, CRICKETs, SLUGs, and MILLIPEDs are Attracted to MOLDs.
…..These Critters will Attract SPIDERs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..Environmental MOLDsNesting Swans Who Eats Who Mildew
YEASTs:  Yeast is Single-Celled Organism that belongs to the Fungal Ecosystem.
…..There are more than 500 Species and Thousands of varieties of Yeast
…..that can be found in the Soil, Sugary Liquids (in the fruit and flowers)
…..and on the Surface of Plants and Animals.
…..Some YEASTs are Mild to Dangerous Pathogens.
…..Especially Candida albicans, Histoplasma, and Blastomyces.

FUNGUS:  Fungus, ( plural Fungi ), any of about 144,000 known Species
…..of Organisms which includes the YEASTs, RUSTs, SMUTs, MILDEWs,
….MOLDs, MUSHROOMs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..Common Diseases: RINGWORM – THRUSH – ASPERGILLOSIS
….. CANDIDIASIS – PNEUMONIA – Breathing them in has WORSE Effects
…..than Eating them – Causing Respiratory Symptoms & Diseases..
…..ASPERGILLOSIS – The Young Swan below had Lungs Filled with this Mold.
…..  He did not Survive.Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Aspergilloisis******
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..Who Eats FUNGI – DEER, DEER MICE, SQUIRRELs, Small RODENTs,
…..BIRDs, TURTLEs, and many Species of INSECTs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..Over Time we got to See a Wide Variety of Mushrooms and Tree Fungus.

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

PARASITEs:  PROTOZOANss, AMOEBAE and Microscopic Crustaceans,
…..They are the Biggest Consumers of Bacteria.
…..NEMATODEs ( Worms ) GASTROPODs ( Snails, Slugs )
…..and Insects like ANTs, GNAT & FLY MAGGOTs, TERMITEs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

PARASITEs in the Ground:  WORMs, TAPEWORMs, HOOK WORMs,
…..SLUGs, SNAILs.  All these Tiny Creatures have Body Waste that Spread Diseases.

….A TAPEWORM LIFE CYCLE
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Tape Worm Life Cycle

….A ROUND WORM LIFE CYCLE
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Round Worm Life Cycle
COCCIDIOSIS: 
is a Protozoan Parasite Common on Farms.
…..In Poultry, affects their Intestines Reducing a Birds Ability to Digest
…..and Absorb Nutrients. Diarrhea, Weakness to Death.
…..The Disease is Transmitted by the Fecal Waste of Insects and Wild Birds.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

AMOEBAE:  are Microscopic Free-Living in Fresh Water,
…..They are Commonly found in Pond Water, Ditches, and Lakes.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..Amoebiasis or Amoebic Dysentery can have Mild or Severe Symptoms:
…..Loss of Weight, Colonic Ulcerations, Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea or Bloody Diarrhea.
…..Anemia may develop due to Prolonged Gastric Bleeding.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

SPIDERs:  Black Widow Spiders are Native to Pennsylvania
…..are generally found Outdoors.  Insects Attract SPIDERs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who*******We See these Spiders ALL the Time. 
They do have a Job Eating Insects.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
INSECTs:  There are MANY Insects that have a Larve-Maggot Stage.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

FLIES, TICKs, GNATs, MOSQUITOES, BEEs, WASPs,
…..CENTIPEDs, LICE, MITEs, SPIDERs, etc.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

GRUBs and MITEs:  will Consume some Bacteria.

*******************

FLIEs Around a Swan Nest are a SIGN of Trouble.
…..Remove any Cracked, Spoiled or Foul Smelling Eggs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..FLIEs Carry Many Types of Diseases.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

FLIEs:  are One of the largest Insect Orders.
…..It Numbers more than 120,000 Species World Wide.
…..There about 18,000 Species found in North America.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
FLIEs are a Common Insect Pest on the Average Farm.
…..Where there is Animal Waste in Fields and Pastures.. and Decaying Compost Piles.

…..A Female HOUSE FLY can lay up to 600 Eggs in her Short Lifetime.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..Most FLIEs Lives an Average of 15 to 25 Days.
….HORSE FLIEs are Common on Farms..

FLIES – BRITANNICA LIST
https://www.britannica.com/animal/fly-insect

At the End of this Topic Page..
There is a Section on the BLOW FLIES.

ADULT FLIEs Feed and Deposit their Larvae-Maggots on Organic Decaying Material.
…..This includes, Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Animal and Human Feces.

FLIEs.. FLIEs are a REAL CONCERN Near a Nest..
…..I Read an Article Years Ago… A Mute Swan Necropsy Report.
…..A FLY or FLIEs had Lay their Eggs on the Pen’s Cloaca.
…..It is Warm Moist Tissue..
…..The MAGGOTs Went Up into the Pen’s Cloaca and were Feeding on her Vagina..
…..She DIED from the Bleeding and Infections..
…..This was a Horrifying Image.. Imagine her Suffering.

…..Eating MAGGOTs or Maggot-infested Food can cause BACTERIAL Poisoning.
…..Most Foods that have MAGGOTs are NOT Safe to Eat,
…..Especially if the LARVAE-MAGGOTs have been in Contact with Feces.
….HOUSE FLIEs and HORSE FLIEs use Animal and Human Feces as Breeding Sites.
Horse Fly Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

FOXEs, RACCOONs, POSSUMs, BIRDs all eat MAGGOTs when they get the chance.
**********************
ANTs.. Sting and Bite.. can Kill Tiny Cygnets..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

INSECTs will be Attracted to the Cygnets’ Eyes.
…..Various INSECTs will Sting the Wet Cygnets. ( Ants )
….Some will Eat their Eyes.. Any Part that is Moist.

…..When the Cygnets are Still Wet with Egg White
…..and there is a Little Blood in the Shell they are Especially Vulnerable.

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Then there are BEEs, CARPENTER BEEs, HORNETs,
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

YELLOW JACKETs.. WASPs and MUD DAUBLER WASPs.
…..These Stinging Insect are Attracted to Sweet Food Waste.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Both WASPs and YELLOW JACKETs are Beneficial INSECTs in Nature.
…..They help Control the Populations of many other INSECTs and SPIDERs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

BUT, they ALL STING !
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

******* Any Pond or Lake Environment has a Complex Network of Creatures..  
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
BARN SWALLOWs, EASTERN KINGBIRDs, CHICKADEEs
…..and PURPLE MARTINs are Helpful – their Diet is Mostly INSECTs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

WORMs, TERMITEs, CRICKETs, SLUGs, BEETLEs, etc..
…..will Attract.. MICE, VOLEs, MOLEs, SHREWs, CHIPMUNKs, RATs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

….FROG and TOADs are Beneficial… They Eats LOTs of Insects..
Nesting Swans Who Eats WhoNesting Swans Who Eats Who
MICE
and RATs have been Reported to Eat Hatchlings and/or their Faces.
…..Especially when they First Hatch..  They will Drag the Cygnets Out of the Nest.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

MICE and RATs that are Near a Swan Nest will Attract FOXEs, SNAKEs, etc..
…..In the Spring FOXEs  –  and most Predators are Feeding their Young.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
Most Water Environments have WATER SNAKEs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

And SNAPPING TURTLEs..  You will Need to Check Annually for these Harmful Turtles. 
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Snapping Turtle

SNAPPING TURTLEs:  ( Try to Remove Them.)
…..They will Hang Around Areas where there is Spilled Feed/Food.
…..Tiny Cygnets are an Easy Meal for SNAPPING TURTLEs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Snapping Turtle

SNAKEs:  Common US Snakes
…..Depending on WHERE you Live..
….EASTERN HOGNOSE, COPPERHEADs, KING SNAKEs,
….BLACK RAT SNAKEs, WATER SNAKEs, RATTLESNAKEs,
….COTTONMOUTHs, BOAs and PHTHONs
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

SNAKEs will be Attracted to the MICE, VOLEs, MOLEs or RATs..
…..and the SNAKEs will Grab the Tiny Cygnets as they Waddle to the Pond..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who***************
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who…..Cygnets are taken Back and Forth to the Nest for Several Days.  
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..The Adult Swans will Check for any Danger before Bringing the Cygnets Back to the Nest. Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..This Sire below Stood and Watched their Nest for Over 30 Minutes.
…..There was Something in the Nest that he was Alert to.
…..Their Cygnet was Kept Out of the Nest. Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..The Swans Never Took their Cygnet to this Nest Again..
…..The Nest was “Closed” the Next Morning.
**********************
MICE and RATs have been Reported to Eat the Cygnets
…..as they are Trying to Hatch Out of their Shell.
**********************
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
SMALL CREATUREs:  MICE, MOLEs, VOLEs, SHREWs,
….CHIPMUNKs will all Attract SNAKEs to Live Near Water
….AND the LARGER PREDATORs..WITH BIGGER TEETH AND CLAWs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

These FURRY CREATUREs:  Will Attract OWLs, CROWs,
….CATs, FOXEs, BOBCATs, COYOTES..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

FURRY ANIMALs:  Commonly spread TICKs, VIRUSEs and PARASITEs.
….TICKs are Seeking WARM Blooded Animals or Birds to have a Blood Meal..

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
….TICKs can Carry Serious Diseases-Viruses > > Lymes Disease, West Nile, Babesiosis,
…..Powassan, Tularemia, Viral Encephalitis.

…..Diseases Transmitted by Ticks.
…..https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html  ( You will Need to Copy and Paste. )
**********************
FLEAS, TICKs and other PARASITEs:  are commonly Spread
…..by FOXEs to Domestic Pets – Cats and Dogs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

SMALL RODENTs:  may Attract SKUNKs, RACCOONs,
….OPOSSUMs-POSSUMs, WEASELs, MINK.
…..These may Snatch Small Ducklings, Goslings and Cygnets.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

SKUNKs:  SKUNKs prefer Meat, will Eat Plants and Vegetation.
…..INSECTs, Small ANIMALs, BIRDs, EGGs, POULTRY, WORMs, Berries,
…..GRUBs, BEETLEs, CRICKETs and GRASSHOPPERs – Foods with a Strong Odor.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
OPOSSUM – POSSUMs:  Eat a Large Number of TICKs..
…..Ranging from Fruits, Grasses, INSECTs, SLUGs, SNAILs, MICE,
…..RATs, MOLEs, FISH and even CARRION.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..POSSUMs are not totally Immune to Rabies, they Rarely Carry it.
…..As a Marsupial, Possums have a lower Body Temperature than most other Mammals,
…..so their Bodies do not provide a suitable Environment for the Rabies Virus.

RACCOONs:  Raccoons Carry and Spread a Number of Dangerous Diseases..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
…..PARASITEs:  Deadly Ones.. Try NOT to Attract them. They may have Rabies.
…..RACCOON Roundworm – Baylisascaris found in the Pest’s Feces.

…..LEPTOSPIROSIS: A Bacteria spread via Excrement
……which causes Fever, Headache, Chills, Muscle Aches,
……Jaundice, and potentially even Kidney or Liver Failure.

…..GIARDIASIS: Gastrointestinal PARASITE Ailment
……that induces Bloating, Vomiting, Indigestion, and loss of Appetite.

…..SALMONELLOSIS: A BACTERIA when Ingested causes Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea.

…..YOU Do not want RACCOONs Pooping Near the Swan Nests.

RACCOONs are the Common Swan Egg Thief..
…..They will Attack and Kill Swans.. Typically only Removing the Head.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

….Finding Broken Eggs near the Nest or in the Water Nearby is Disheartening.
Raccoon Nesting Swans Who Eats Who …..I Wonder what our Pen is thinking when she Sees a Raccoon Eating her Eggs. Raccoon Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
From Raising Chickens

…..What kind of Animal Bites the Heads off Poultry and leaves the Rest.

RACCOONs and WEASELs:  will do this, they are after the Brain.
…..The Brain has the Best Nutrients and Fats for getting Winterized.

RACCOONs and WEASELs:  are known for Killing Everything they can Catch.
…..They are Responsible for Frenzied Killing in Chicken Coops.
…..They can not eat it all and they can not carry it all away.
…..So they go for the choice Pieces – The Heads.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

…..Personally, I Like having the Swans’ Feed in a Bucket
…..and Take this Food Inside at SunSet.Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

CATs, FOXEs, CANINEs and BIRDs of Prey:  will Generally
…..only take One Bird or Mammal at a Time, Leave to Eat Elsewhere.
…..They will Likely come Back for another Easy Meal.
…..But they Generally do NOT Slaughter and only Eat the Head.
….FOXEs have been known to Carry Rabies.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

WEASELs: are Carnivores and will Eat almost All Animals they find.
WEASELs: Eat Small MAMMALs, INSECTs, LIZARDs, FROGs, BIRDs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
HAWKs and OWLs:  Sit up in Trees and Watch for Small Fuzzy Things to be LUNCH !
Nesting Swans Who Eats WhoHAWKs and OWLs:  Are Feeding their Young in the Spring.

Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
MINK:  Their Dens are usually near Water, they are mostly Carnivorous.
…..They Eat CRAYFISH, FISH, Small FROGs, SNAKEs, EARTHWORMs and SNAILs,
…..Small MAMMALs, RABBITs, CHIPMUNKs, MICE, VOLEs and SHREWs..
…..DUCKs, FARM POULTRY – CHICKENs, GEESE, and TURKEYs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

MINK are Agile and Fierce Fighters, Killing Prey
…..with a Hard Bite to the Back of the Skull.

PREDATORs of MINK include:  WOLVEs, LYNX, BOBCATs, FOXEs,
…..HAWKs, GREAT HORNED OWLs, EAGLEs,
and RIVER OTTERs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

The BOBCATs is the most abundant Wildcat in North America.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Bobcat
…..A Carnivore, they feeds on RODENTs, RABBITs, LIZARDs,
….SNAKEs and some BIRDs And CARRION.

BOBCAT KITTENs are being Feed in Early Spring.
…..The BOBCAT is an incredibly Elusive Predator that Silently Stalks
…..in the Dark before Pouncing with Incredible Force.
…..They are seen as Pest for Farmers Preying on LIVESTOCK and POULTRY.
…..I have had Several Sad Calls about Swans/Cygnets being Killed by BOBCATs.

…..Predators of the BOBCAT include MOUNTAIN LIONs,
….COYOTEs, FOXEs, WOLVEs, and HUMANs.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Mountain Lion

Depending on your Location BEARs.
…..Swan Can Not Defend themselves from a Bear Attack.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

BEARs can Smell Foods from Long Distances.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

*************************************************************
In 2020, While talking about Common Swan Predators with a Man
who lives in a Rural Area of Pennsylvania. I mentioned the Problem of Raccoons
Stealing Swan Eggs even on Isolated Islands.

EGGs are Great Nutrition for the Female Raccoon with Spring Kits..
Raccoons can be Nasty.. Fighting for the Eggs..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

He Said, Over the Years Fur Trapping has Declined due to Campaigns
by Animal Rights Groups.
More and More People are Refusing to Use or Wear Fur from Animal Pelts.

The Decreased Market for Animal Pelts has a Side Effect..
Large Animal Predators are an Increasing Problem for  Farmers and Folks
living in the Wide Open Spaces..

Our Discussion was mainly about Raccoons.. How their Numbers have increased
in some Areas of Farming.. The Raccoons are Destroying Corn Crops.
They Pull the Developing Ear down and Munch on the Corn..
Knowing that Raccoons Carry many Serious Diseases, some in
their Saliva and some in the Body Waste.. It is Consequence of
Saving these Large Nocturnal Rodents.. Cute as they are to See..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

I am not Suggesting that Trapping is OK..
But, I do not want the Predators Harming our Swans..
We Pinion Swans to keep them Safe from the Perils of Flying..
then make them more Vulnerable to being Harmed or Killed
because they can not Flee from Dangerous Animals.      >> A Real Moral Dilemma..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

For Help with the Larger Predators .. FOXEs, RACCOONs, COYOTEs, etc.
You might get Help by Contacting:
WildLife Control Services or Your State’s Trapping Association.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

*********************************

Mute Swan Pens Evolved to NOT Eat during Nesting..
KEEP Foods Away from the Nest.. !!!
She will Eat if she want to go to the Feed Container..

WATER.. is OK.. This will Help the Pen Flush her Gizzard..
Hopefully Reduce the Infections that might Develop in their Gizzards.Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Female Swans barely Eat while they are Incubating their Eggs.
Mother Nature wants her to be VERY Hungry when the Cygnets Hatch..
Have some Feed Mixture where she can Find it..
Take the Feed in at SunSet.. Out in the Morning..
Away from the Nest.. She will be OK.. Nature has a Plan..

It is Safest to Keep all Foods at Least 30 Feet or More from the Nest.

The Cygnets will only Weigh about 8-10 Ounces when they Hatch…
they may be Prefect Meals for Snakes Living Close to the Nest.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Even with the Nesting Platform.. Once there are EGGs..
STOP Placing ANY Food on the Platform.

*************************************************
The Swan Pen will need to Leave the Nest if she Needs to Poop..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Adult Swans do not Poop in their Nests.. ( or Seldom )
The Nest Cavity is Kept Clean for the Cygnets.
YOU Do Not want a Swan to Poop near the Nest.
Swan Poop has a Very Distinct Smell and will Attack Predators..

A Good Swan Nest has NO Poop in it..

NO FOOD NEAR A SWAN NEST !
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

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FLIES: BLOW FLIES
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who Blow Flies

There are approximately 80 species in North America.
In the Fly Order, Diptera, they are Metallic Blue, Green, or Black in Color
…..and are Noisy in Flight.  They are Slightly Larger than Houseflies.
…..They are found with Animal Carcasses, Animal Feces, Garbage Piles,
…..and Piles of Decaying Vegetation > Decaying Compost Piles.

BLOW FLY LARVA are a Problem for all Cavity Nesting Birds.
BLOW FLY Biology varies among the Species and with Environmental Conditions
…..so the following information is General.

BLOW FLIEs Seek Areas that provide a Layer of Loose, Damp Soil and Litter
…..where their Larvae may Thrive and Pupate.

…..Each Female BLOW FLY Deposits Thousands of Eggs over her 2 to 8 Week Life Span.
…..Egg Masses may consist of 1500 to 2,000 Eggs. The Larger Egg Masses are usually
…..the result of Several Females Depositing Eggs on the Same Location.
MAGGOTs Hatch in LESS than 24 Hours when Conditions are Warm and Humid.
BLOWFLY LIFECYCLE Nesting Swans   Who Eats Who

MAGGOTs Feed at Night, Moving Down into the Nesting Material during Day Hours.

This Adaptation has Evolved over many Centuries of a Close Association
…..of BLOW FLIEs with Cavity Nesting Birds.  The LARVAE-MAGGOTs
…..Avoids being Eaten by the Adult Bird during the Day, and Feeds only after Dark,
…..when the Helpless Nestlings are Easy Prey.

…..Blood is usually Sucked from the Feet or Legs, often from between the Toes.

…..Depending on the Temperature MAGGOTs Complete Development in 4 Days.

…..At the End of this Period, MAGGOTs Typically Burrow in the Nesting Material
…..and Pupate for 5 to 7 Days then the Adult Flies Emerge.

…..A Week Later, Females begin to Deposit Eggs and the Life Cycle is Repeated.
….BLOW FLIEs Generally Develop from Egg to Adult in 10 to 25 days,
…..they can have 4 to 8 Generations a Year.

HELP ! – WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE SEE FLIEs ! ! 

FLYS-X is a Natural Organic Spray – Repellent.  
…..Take Care to Avoid Spraying on the Swans..
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

 

ABSORBINE FLYS-X Natural Fly Repellent
…..Ready-to-Use For Multi-Species Live Stock Use.
…..Repels & Controls BITING FLIEs, MOSQUITOEs, GNATs and TICKs.
…..Natural Ingredients:   Use ORGANICs – ONLY if Needed..
…..Rosemary Oil, Thyme Oil, Citronella Oil,
…..Cedar Oil, Clove Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Geraniol.

DO NOT SPRAY Directly into the Nest..
…..Spray 4-5 Feet OUT from the Center of the Nest..
…..Spray Away from the Pen.. On Calm Day.

**************************
FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH:

…..IS an Organic Crawling Insect Killer.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

With all the Concerns about Pesticides DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
is Safe & Effective. It is NOT a Poison.
DE is Finely Ground Fossils of Prehistoric Fresh Water Diatoms.

Apply the Dust Lightly in Infested Nest Areas.
DE Kills Common Household and Garden Pests:
WORMs, SNAILs, ROACHEs, ANTs, FLEAs, BEETLEs and MAGGOTs.

DE is a Long Lasting Control -Sprinkles easily into Cracks and Crevices
where Insects Hide and Eradicate them. When Soft-Bodied Insects come in Contact
with this Fine Powder-Dust, DE causes Massive Loss of Body Fluids and Death.

When the Dust is Eaten by Insects, the DE Inhibits Breathing, Digestion and
Reproduction of Insects and their LARVAE-MAGGOTs.
Find this Product in most Lawn and Garden Departments.

TIP: Use a Plastic Mustard (pull up cap) Bottle to Squeeze
a Small Amount of the DE Dust into the Middle of a Nest.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I have Gathered Information from Many Sources.
I have Used Images and Charts from Searches OnLine..
I have Added Credit to All these Files.
I GREATLY Appreciate those who Created them.
I Hope they will be OK with their Use here.
My Goal is to Save the Lives of the Swans we Care for.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
Organized APRIL 2022 …. PA Swan Lover Linda M.Sweger
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who

Swans do not have an Easy Time While Nesting.
Nesting Swans Who Eats Who
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IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR SWANs to have CYGNETS.

March 14th, 2022 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in SPOILING Swan EGGs - Prevent Cygnets - (Comments Off on IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR SWANs to have CYGNETS.)

Spoiling their EGGs is a Reasonable Solution.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Click Images to Enlarge.

Each Fall and Winter Veterinarians and Wildlife Rehabilitaters in many States
may have Multiple Calls about Young Mute Swans found in Distress.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Some Young Swans are Found by the General Public..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Maybe in their Yards. Maybe along the Road. Maybe on their Ponds.

The Young Swan Below was on the Property Owner’s Pond when she came Home from Work.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

I get Several Calls every Year from Folks who are Excited they have a Lone Surprise Swan.
Now they want to Find a Companion/Mate for this Swan.  They have NO Idea of the Age or Sex.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

I Explain what Needs to be Done.
Feed-Gain Trust, Catch the Swan, Clip One Wing and Send a DNA Sample to Learn the Sex.
So Far, Few Free Flying Rogue Swans has been Caught or Stayed with them.
Some Swan will Come and Go, Gone for a While, Returning at Random..

These 7-8-9 Month Old Rescued Cygnets Below were Likely Chased Away by their Parents,
when the Adults were Getting Ready for their Spring Nesting Season.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

These Growing UnPinioned Cygnets have Nowhere to Go.
They are Chased into the Larger World Totally Unprepared.
No Idea how to Care of themselves.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Young Cygnets are very Vulnerable to Predators and Dog Attaches when Feral..

When Rescued.. Many are Injured, have Wounds and Broken Bones.
Sadly, many will be Euthanized..  This was the Fate of the Young Swan Below.
Evaluated at an Animal Clinic..  Advanced Infection, Wounds Full of Maggots.
Unknown Blood Loss, Badly Mangled Foot.. Euthanized to End Suffering.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Many Rescued Swans are UnderWeight..
During Fall and Winter there are Few Natural Foods for them to Eat, if they can Find any.

The Cygnet below was Very Scared when Brought to a Rescuer’s Home..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

As I have been Reading various Article about Department Natural Resources
WildLife Services ( Different States ) Mute Swan Management Methods.
I have come across a Number of Very Disturbing, Cruel Practices.

It is Far Worse to Allow a Cygnet or Swan to Fly Away to be Abused and Destroyed.
Slaughtering these Helpless Swans can not be much Enjoyment for the WildLife Services
who are Trained and Employed to Protect WildLife.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

My Opinion:
I Feel it would be MUCH more Ethical to Prevent Cygnets Hatching
then to have them Endure the Perils of being Feral and the Potential End
of their Lives by the WildLife Agencies various Cruel Slaughtering Practices.

Having Cygnets every Year can be Demanding – They are Cute and Work.
They NEED to be Pinioned.. DNA-Sex Determined..
and New Adoptive Homes Arrange between 4-9 Months Old.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs
It MAY be Tempting to just let the Cygnets be Chased off..
Out of Sight…Out of Mind.. Now Someone Else’s Problem.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Being a Responsible Swan Keeper.. YOU will Not Let this Happen.

Or Maybe you just want to “Take a Year OFF..”
Prevent Cygnets Hatching in Years that other Things in your Life have Priority.
And just Enjoy your Graceful Adult Swans on a Peaceful Summer Pond.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

OR Maybe your Pond is Really NOT Suitable for a Large Brood of Eating-Pooping Cygnets.
Maybe Limit the Number of Cygnets that Hatch.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

The 0.48 Acre Retention Pond Above & Below became FOULED with Swan Cygnet Poop.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
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Neutering or Spaying is NOT an Option with Swans..

DO NOT Spay or Neuter Swans
https://swanlovers.net/category/do-not-spay-or-neuter-swans/

**************************

I did some Reading about Hormone Implants for Birds.
This is Expensive, May Not be Effective, Needs to be Repeated Frequently.
The Article Below was Informative.

Hormone Implants for Avian Species. … ARE NOT Practical.
https://opensanctuary.org/article/suprelorin-implants-a-critical-tool-in-chicken-health/

**************************
DO NOT JUST REMOVE OR BREAK the EGGS !

Removal of All the Eggs or Breaking the Eggs will cause the Pen
to Lay a Second Clutch of Eggs.

This will Deplete her Body more then Necessary… and Extend the Nesting Season.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Having to lay Extra Eggs may/will Deplete the Pen of the Nutrients
to Regrow Healthy Feathers after her Annual Moulting.

***********************
The Swans Above and Below Lost their Early Spring Nests to the Creek Flooding Twice.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

We could only Guess… she may have Laid around 20 Eggs that Year.
Nest #1  > 8 Eggs – Nest  #2  >  7 Eggs – Nest  #3  >  5 Eggs.   ca. 15 were Lost to Flooding.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

They ReCycled..  the Pen Laid 5 more Eggs ( Third Clutch ) Nesting into Mid-July.
One Egg Cracked and I Removed it.  ??? Maybe the Shell was Thinner.
SPOILING SWAN EGGsOne Egg was Stolen by a Raccoon.. Then there were just Three Eggs.

We were Helpless to do Anything since these Swans were Living Feral..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
After a Very Long Nesting Season, Three Tiny Cygnets Hatched on July 14-15th.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

In 2022, We Still have the Pale Brown Cygnet on the Left.. He is our “Meadow.”
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

*****************************************************

During the Late Winter and Very Early Spring Months,
Roughly THREE Weeks before a Mute Pen begins to Lay her Eggs..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
YOU WILL Typically SEE the Pen EATING – EATING – EATING..
Preparing her Bodies to Lay a Clutch of BIG Eggs. ( Average 4-8 )
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Natural Egg Production is Stressful for Female Birds/Swans.
It Depletes their Nutritional Stores, and Predisposes them to Malnutrition,
Osteoporosis, and Life Threatening Illnesses.
They Benefit from a Proper Diet during the Winter Months.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

It is a BAD Idea to Catch or Disrupt your Pen’s Egg Laying Process.
Catching your Pen during the Days that she is Laying her Eggs
may STOP an Egg from Moving through her
Uterus > Shell Gland > Vagina > Cloaca and being Expelled into her Nest.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Risking the Pen becoming EGG BOUND with all the Risks
and Serious Complications an Egg being Stuck
in the Pen’s Uterus-Shell Gland may Cause.

BEST to WAIT and Allow your Pen to Naturally Lay her Full Clutch of Eggs,
Allow her to “Sitting” to Incubate her Clutch for at Least 7-10 Days
before you do ANYTHING with your Pen during her Nesting Sequence.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

You WANT to be sure she is Finished Laying Eggs.

Black Australian Swans Nest Twice a Year..
It can be Challenging to Raise these Cygnets during the Winter Months.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
These Last Season Cygnets will Need to be Shelter-Raised in Cold Regions.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Maybe you Want to have just One Brood during the Warmer Months.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

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Here I will State: I have No Experience with Spoiling Swan Eggs.
I have not “Actively” Spoiled any Swan Eggs with Plain Corn Oil..
So my Information is NOT Hands-On.. Just from Reading.

I have Talked with a Number of Folks who have Used Spoiling Methods
to Control other Types of Waterfowl.. Example Muscovy Eggs.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

We have used Replacement Eggs most Years… Successfully.
At First Real Mute Swan Eggs, Drained, Cleaned and Filled.
But without a Doubt the Wooden Reusable Eggs have Worked Well.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

SWAN REPLACEMENT EGGs
https://swanlovers.net/category/swan-replacement-eggs/

We can use them to “Swap-Out” the Real Eggs to Prevent Cygnets Hatching.
OR they are Ready if Eggs are being Stolen from a Fertile Swan Nest.
OR if there are Eggs that are Not Developing and Start to STINK ! !
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

I Know there is a Need for this Information about Spoiling to be Available.
I am going to RELY on Reading a Number of Articles and Compile General Information.
I Suggest you ALSO Read a Variety of Articles.
If the Articles seem to make Sense.. Gathering Information is Best.

I did Call our State’s Waterfowl Specialist and Ask for Information..
I am Including this in the Text Below.

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I hear People Troubling with the Ethics of Killing the Embryos..
They want to Remove or Oil the Eggs VERY Soon after they are Laid.
Before there is much Development..

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

I have Searched without Success for a SWAN Embryo Development Chart.
Chicken Chicks Hatch in 20 Days..  Swan Cygnets Hatch at 37 Days.
Each Stage on this Chart would be Almost 2 Days for the Developmental Stages of a Cygnet.
AT 7-10 Days of Incubation the Cygnet Embryos would be at 4 to 5 Days on this Chart.
It is Up to You.. when you Decide to Spoil the Eggs..   7th Day or the 25th Day..etc.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

BUT, I do think it is Wise to Wait until the Pen is “Sitting” Full-Time for at least a Week..
JUST to be Sure her Clutch is Finished !

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

True Story: One Swan Keeper saw his Pen “Sitting” on Four Eggs.
He “Swapped-Out” Two Real Eggs for Two Replacement Eggs he made.
Goal to Allow just Two Cygnets to Hatch.. Manageable for their Enjoyment.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
SURPRISE > > > SIX Tiny Cygnets Hatched.. Explanation.
Four more Fertile Eggs were Laid after the “Swap-Out.”

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COMMONLY USED METHODS for Spoiling or Reducing:

ADDLING – Addling is a Wildlife Management Method of Population Control
of Various Bird Species that are Increasing in Numbers.
Eggs are Temporarily Removed from the Nest, the Embryo Development is Terminated
and the Eggs are Returned to the Nest.

Methods that Terminates Embryo Development are by Oiling, Shaking
or Puncturing the Eggs and then placing the Eggs Back in the Nest.

It is Important Not to Change the Odor, Appearance or Texture of the Eggs.

This Allows the Nesting Female to Continue her Nesting Process..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

By Disrupting the Yolks from Developing there will be No Cygnets.
AS I was Reading, One Person Leaves the Parent Swans One ”Good Egg” to Care for.
Personally, a Cygnet Raised Alone is a Little Sad..  Maybe Leave them Two Fertile Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

*******************************
OILING: It is IMPORTANT to ONLY USE a FOOD GRADE OIL.

AS I Searched for Information,
I came Across the Same Field Study Article Several Times.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

“Spraying Corn Oil on Mute Swan Cygnus olor Eggs to Prevent Hatching.”
1996-1997 Larry J. Hindman, William F. Harvey, IV, & Linda E. Conley

Corn Oil is an Effective, Nontoxic Method of Reducing Mute Swan Eggs Hatching.
Spraying an Oil/Oil Flour Product on the Eggs will Cut Off the Oxygen Exchange
through the Tiny Pores in the Shell.  This will Stop the Embryos Developing.

My Best Guess is that Eggs Coated with Plain Corn/Vegetable Oil
should Not be Soaked and Slimy..  The Oil can be Sprayed or Rubbed on with a Rag.
Be Sure to Coat the Entire Surface of the Egg.

It Occurred to me that this Oil might Interfere with the Pen’s WaterProofing.
She would be Sitting on the Eggs and get the Corn Oil on her Abdomen Feathers
and then Preen the Oil ALL OVER.  Hummm !
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
*** I am Going to see if I can Learn More.

These Oil Spoiled EGGs will Start to Rot and Stink by the End of 42 Days.

********************************
EGG SHAKING: This Method of Waterfowl Population Control has been the Standard.
Used for Decades by Fish and Wildlife Services
and has the General Approval of the Atlantic Flyway Council.

Eggs are Vulnerable to Vibration Type Injuries Early in Incubation.
Shaking or Jarring can Kill the Developing Embryo either Directly
or by Rupturing the Yolk.

The Yolk of an Egg is Suspended between two opposing Filaments of Protein
called the Chalazae.  Shaking can Dislodge the Chalazae.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Brisk Vigorously Shaking beyond the Point of Breaking the Chalazae,
will Start to Break-Up the Yolk and No Embryo will Develop.

These Spoiled Eggs will Start to Rot.. ( PPPe-UUU )

There “Might” be a Small Percentage that Survive Shaking.

June 2022… I am ADDING this Personal Note:
Last Weekend I was Preparing a Casserole that Calls for 6 Eggs..
I Thought I would SHAKE these Raw Eggs and See if they would be Scrambled
when I Cracked them into my Recipe..  I SHOOK and SHOOK.. Very Hard.
I Could Hear the Liquid Inside each EGG Rattling as I SHOOK….
I Shook Harder and Longer with Each Egg.. NOT ONE had a Broken Yolk.
ALL 6 Eggs were in Perfect Condition when I Cracked them.
PERSONALLY >>> I would not Try this Method..

SPOILING SWAN EGGs The Cygnet Above was a BIG SURPRISE..   ( A Happy Surprise ! )
It was Day 42… We are there to Take All the Eggs Away ! !

*********************************
CULLING: The Word seems to have Various Meanings..
Here I am Using Culling.. as Reducing the Number of Eggs.

If a Swan has a Clutch of 8 Eggs.. Up to 5 Might be Removed
to Reduce the Number of Cygnets that will Hatch..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Removing Some or All of a Clutch.. ( REPLACE Some with Replacement Eggs.)
Leave the Pen at Least 3 Eggs to “Sit.” Spoiled or Fake or Fertile.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

If you Remove Several Eggs from the Clutch.. Put them in a Container
to keep them Safe and Refrigerated.. You might Need them for Replacements.

To Reduce the Clutch Size.
Example:  You Only want 3-4 Cygnets..  Not 7-8…
Watch for 4 Eggs to be in the Nest..  The First Eggs Laid are the Healthiest..
The Swan Pens are NOT Ready to “Sit” Full-Time.. She will be Off EATING.
You might be able to Sneak Close to the Nest.. BE Careful..
Reducing Swan Eggs

>>>> Safely Mark the First 4 Eggs with a Dot ( Tricky I Know.)
Do this in Late Afternoon or Early Evening.. Only do this Once.. Not Each Day..
Try NOT to Distrub the Pen in the Morning, that is Generally Egg Laying Time.
Allow the Pen to Finished Laying her Clutch.. Then Wait a Few Days..

Removing the Last Few is Recommended.. > the UnMarked Ones..
Refrigerate the Removed Eggs.. Just in Case they are Needed..
**********************************

PUNCTURING:  I Tried Several Key Word Searches.. and I could not
Find much about Puncturing Eggs to Prevent Hatching.
I would think this Method would NOT be a Foremost Method.

Piercing with a Thin Hat Pin and Stirring the Content.. Breaks the Yolk.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

From a United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service WebSite:

Puncturing—To Puncture the Egg, hold it securely in your hand, Braced against the Ground.
Insert a Long, Thin Metal Probe into the Pointed End of the Egg.
Best Results are by placing Slow Steady Pressure.  ( If the Egg Breaks-Cracks, Remove it. )
Once the Probe Passes Through the Shell, Place the Tip against the Inside of the Shell,
and Swirl with a Circular Motion.  Swirl Several Times to Ensure the York is Broken.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Puncturing the Shell would Introduce Bacteria and Dirt.
One of the Most Common Causes of In-Shell Deaths for Forming Embryos
is a Bacterial or Viral Infection Entering through a Crack in an EGG.

As the Pen Turns her Clutch Several Time a Day, I would Expect the Albumin
to Start to Leak from the Eggs.  That would Attract Insects.. and be a Sticky Mess.
As the Egg Contents Degrades the Leaking would Increase.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

***********************************
If you Spoil your Pen’s EGGS…
DO NOT Allow her to “Over-SIT” Incubating Eggs that will Never Hatch.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
She Needs to be Able to Start Eating..
Remove the “Eggs” from the Nest at 42 Days.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

***********************************
Another Plan to Consider:
Contact a Swan Breeder who might Want the Fertilized Swan Eggs.
Talk with them about when to Remove Some of the Fertile Eggs Under your Pen.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Only Remove a Few of the Clutch…
Leave the Pen some Eggs to “Sit-On”.. Or “Swap-Out” with Replacements.

*********************
IF you PLAN AHEAD :  Arrange for Another Person to Raise your Cygnets.

Before the Cygnets Hatch.. See if you can Arrange for Another Person
to Raise the Cygnets.  Be Sure they have a Proper Environment to do this.
A Protected Pond and a Shelter for Night Time Safety.
Decide Who will Pinioned the Cygnets before 21 Days Old.
Hand Raised Cygnets have a Better Survival Rate then Cygnets Raised
by their Parent Out on an Average Pond.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

All Ten of the Cygnets Above – in 2022 are Mature Swans in Homes that Love them.
*********************************************************************

I like the Replacement Eggs the Best.. Zoos use them.
The Real Unfertile or Spoiled Eggs will Start to Rot..
They Smell Terrible, Attract Flies and Some Explode.. Stink BOMBs – BIG Mess !
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

AND with the Sneaky Raccoons Stealing so many Eggs..
It is SO Helpful to have the Replacement Eggs.. Real Eggs Refrigerated or Wooden Fakes.
043018L YKCo WV Brooke Nesting (5CBD4 600)9DFTXT

We have been using the Wooden Replacement Eggs for 5-6 Years..
They have been so much LESS Worry…  Ready when Needed..
And our Pens have Accepted them without any Problems.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
( All but One Egg. )
I Never Figured-Out Why this One Egg was Rejected Repeatedly.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

I Must Decline ANY Request to Make Replacement Eggs for you Folks.
I would have to make Hundreds for All the People who have Asked.. (-;

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SPOILING the EGGs in a Swans’ Nest.
This is a Helpful Procedure if you Do NOT want to have Swan Cygnets every Year.

I have Found the BEST Items to use to Protect Myself Working by a Swan Nest..
is a Folding Lawn Chair.. I Turn it Around as a Barrier-Shield.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

 

Female Swans MUST “Sit” on their Unfertile-Spoiled Eggs for at least 42 Days.
OR They Will ReCycle and Lay more Eggs.. With or Without a Cob.
They have NO Control over this Timing.. Mother Nature is in Charge..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Normally Fertile Swan Eggs will Mature in 37 Days.. – /+ a Day.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Healthy Cygnets will All Hatch within 24-36 Hours.. 48 Hours at most.
The Pen will usually continue to “Sit” as much as Possible on UnHatched Eggs for 72 Hours..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Then She will take her Healthy Cygnets out to Begin Feeding
and Spend more and more Time away from the Nest.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

The Dam ( Pen ) and Cygnets may Return to the Nest for Several Day..
for the Cygnets to take Naps. (Very Cute).  And Warm-Up Under their Dam.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Female Swans will Lay One Large Egg every other Day until ALL her Clutch is in the Nest.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
She will NOT “Sit” Full Time until ALL her Eggs are Laid.
This may take 2 – 3 Weeks, if she Lays 7 – 8 – 9 Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

During this Time.. the Cob and the Pen will Keep a Close Watch over their Eggs..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Especially if Someone Approaches..One or Both will QUICKLY Head to their Nest..
They may Cover the Eggs at Times.  Making it Tricky to Count the Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
You might see the Cob Sitting for Long Periods on the Eggs…
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
The Female Only a Few Minutes.. Just to Guard and Protect her Eggs from Visitors.

The Cob can not Incubate..
He can Only Protect and Keep the Eggs Warm Once Incubation Begins..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

ONCE the Pen STARTs to “SIT” Full-Time.. NOTE this DATE ! !
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Incubation of the Entire Clutch will begin. THE 37-42 Days Starts.
37 Days for Fertile Eggs to Hatch..
This way ALL Fertile Eggs should Hatch within a 24-48 Hour Period.
42 Days to Remove UnHatched-Spoiled Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

WAIT for a Few Days, after you KNOW the Pen is “Sitting” Full-Time.
You want to be SURE she is Finished Laying. ( 7-10 Days )
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

It is VERY Helpful to have Several People to Do these Projects.
Keep CALM and TRY NOT to be LOUD.. Quiet is Less Stressful.
Make Your Plan and Who will do What !! Practice – Be Prepared.
Do a Basic Practice Walk Through..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Have a Spray Can of Baking Spray with Flour READY.
OR a Plain Spray Can of Baking OIL..  Or a Cup of Salad Oil in a Plastic Container.
And a Rag for Applying the Oil.   AND some Paper Towels if Needed..
It is Helpful to have your Supplies in a Bucket.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

BE SURE the CAN of Baking Spray will Spray Freely..
and that there is ENOUGH Product.
An Older Can from you Kitchen Cabinet, might NOT WORK !
This is Inexpensive and Readily Available where Baking Supplies are Sold.
Most Grocery Stores Carry this. USE a FRESH Full Can.. ANY Brand.

First, Contain the Cob.
He will generally be Hormonal and is EASY to Catch.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

( This is a Good Time to Wear White. )
Most Cobs will COME TOWARD you.. Hoping to Chase you AWAY !
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Have a Large Net or Large Beach Towel READY.   Let him come to you ! !
We put our Cobs into a Transport Carrier placed in a Shady Place.
Turn the Carrier away from the View of the Nest..

SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Approach the Nesting Pen Slowly.. Give her a Chance to Assess her Risk.
Some will Leave the Nest and Slip into the Water..
and Some Pens will Continue to Sit and Protect their Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Move Closer Talk Softly, Net or Wrap the Pen in a Large Towel.. Be Gentle.
Hold her Aside from the Nest. Cover her Head if Possible.

Have your Helper Spray the Top Side of EACH Egg..
Turn Over and Spray ALL Sides. COAT the Entire EGG.

Release the Pen…. She will Usually Return to her Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Next, Release the Cob. Open the Carrier.. let him Exit..
He will HOPEFULLY Head to the Water..
Keep Something Between YOU and the Cob..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

If the Eggs are Fertile, the Oil-Flour in the Spray will fill the
Tiny Air Exchange Pores in the Egg Shell.. the Embryos will NOT Develop..

Once the 42 Days of “Sitting” Time has Passed..
A few Pens will leave these UnHatched Eggs on their Own.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Some Females will Continue to “Sit” for many more Days..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

If the Pen HAS NOT left the Eggs on her own..
For her Health, it is a Good Idea to Remove and Discard the Eggs.
( THEY WILL SMELL and Attract Flies. )
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

The Pen does Not Realizing the Eggs will Not Hatch.
A Percentage have been known to Stay on the Nest for Weeks.
She is at Risk of Starving to Death. ReMove the Eggs.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

It Took us 90 Seconds to Remove the Stinky Eggs from the Nest Above.
In that Short Time – The Pen was So Stressed that she Collapsed – Fainted.

She Scared the Heck OUT of Us.. The Stress Caused her Blood Glucose to DROP !
After about 2 Minutes her Eyes Started to Blink.. and Sloooowly she Lifted her Head.
We Allowed her to Rest – She Stayed with her Empty Nest that Day.
By the Following Morning, she was out on the Pond Eating.. Recovered.

Now I keep a Few Ounces of a Sweet Syrup like Honey with us. 
******
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Timing Swan Eggs to Hatching
https://swanlovers.net/category/timing-swan-eggs-to-hatch/

If necessary do the Same as above.. Contain the Cob..
Encourage the Pen to Leave her Nest.. Be Patient about Half Will.

**********************
We had a Small Container of Concentrated Sugar – Honey, Karo or King Syrup Ready.
The Pens have Little Extra Blood Sugar to be Stressed when the Eggs are Removed.
If the Pen becomes Very Weak or Faints.. Put a Little Syrup under her Tongue..
Keep her in a Safe Place.. and Allow her to Recover from the Excitement.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Yes, we have had Pens become Very Weak.. Only One that Fainted.. This was Scary..
Within a Few Minutes, she was Awake and Recovered.. Out on her Pond the Following Morning.

SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Wear Protective Glove ( the Eggs will Smell )
Quickly put the EGGs in Double Plastic Bags in a Bucket.. ( they may Explode ! )
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Release the Cob..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

LEAVE the Swans Alone.
They need some time to Realize the Eggs are gone.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Typically, they may Spend One more Day at the Nest.
The Following Morning most are Out on their Pond Grazing.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

The Next Morning the Pen was OUT on her Pond.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
After a Few Days.. Remove the Nest Material..
A Decaying Nest will Attract Unwanted Critters.. Insects, Worms, Rodents and Snakes.
Plus Nasty Bacteria and MOLDs..
Better to Supply New Nesting Materials Next Spring.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

***************************************
Female Swans MUST “Sit” on their Eggs for at Least 42 Days..
OR they are likely to Recycle and lay more Eggs..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Nest Mortality is High for the Pens.. So, it is BEST not to have them
Laying a Second Clutch by taking their Eggs away.

We had one Feral Female Years Ago.. She lost Two Clutches to the Creek Flooding..
Both after “Sitting” for Three Weeks.. AND they Started a Third Nest !
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
Started “Sitting” June 11th with Four Eggs….
Hatched Three Cygnets July 15th. IT was HOT ! ! ! ..

SPOILING SWAN EGGs I would take her a Container of Ice Water in the Afternoon and put it on the Side of her Nest.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Getting Flooded Out or having a Raccoon ( or People )
take the Eggs are Common Reasons for Swans to ReCycle..
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
You will See the Swans Mating Again.. and More Eggs.
Extending their Nesting into the Hottest Period of Summer.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

Natural has programmed their Bodies to keep Trying if they lose their Eggs
to Flooding or Predators.  We can NOT Control All Situation.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs
But, it is GOOD to Know your Options.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

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This Topic Page was Compiled from a Combination of our Experiences
with Feral/Wild and Numerous BackYard Nesting Swans.  
And Lots of Online Reading.. and Chats with Other Swan Folks.
Organized in March 2022              (c) Linda M. Sweger
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“To Hatch or Not to Hatch” – You have a Choice.
SPOILING SWAN EGGs

INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs for SWANs

February 27th, 2022 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs - (Comments Off on INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs for SWANs)

 

INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs for SWANs
PRINTABLE Files

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


I have Uploaded a Number of Printable Files.

There are ALL Types of Swans from Cygnets to Adults.
There are Files for Males-Cobs and for Females-Pens.
The General Title just Above the File will NOT Print..
These Titles are which Type of Swans the Invoice Represents.

There are a Few Invoice-Receipts for Black Australian Swans.
There are a Few Invoice-Receipts for Trumpeter Swans.
There is Only One Invoice-Receipts for Black Necked Swans.

You will Need to Import the File to your Computer.
Or Maybe your Printer.. So Many Different Ways.

These will be a Small File. But, you will be able to
Enlarge them to Print a Decent Invoice-Receipt Form.

Enlarge File then…
Print these Files Horizontal-LandScape..
or Rotate and Print the File Vertical-Portrait.

You should be able to Print Two Copies on One Page.
If you want to have Forms for Both Seller and Adopter.

You Can Add Extra Notes such as:  DNA-Sex Determination Results.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pinioned or Full-Wing.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When Clipped if Necessary.

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Adult Pair of Royal Mute Swans.

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Royal Mute Swans Mixed Ages. 

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Royal Mute Swan Cygnets 6-8 Months Old.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs************
Mature Breeding Pair of Mute Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Royal Female-Pen Mute Swan.

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Two Year Old Juvenile Royal Male Mute Swan. 

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Mature Breeding Pair of Royal Mute Swans.

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Juvenile Male Royal Mute Swan.

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Four Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet. 

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Juvenile Female Royal Mute Swan.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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10 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Breeding Pair of Black Australian Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob. 

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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11 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Breeding Pair of Black Necked Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Juvenile Female Royal Mute Swan. 

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Juvenile Royal Male Mute Swan. 

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Mature Breeding Pair of Mute Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob.

SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Adult Trumpeter Swan.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Black Australian Female-Pen. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Mature Adult Trumpeter Swan.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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5 to 6 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Trumpeter Swan Female-Pen.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Breeding Pair of Royal Mute Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Male.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Mature Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Mature Adult Mute Swan Male-Cob. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Adult Black Australian Swan Male-Cob.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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4 Week Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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4 Week Old Black Australian Cygnets.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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6 Month Old Polish Mute Swan Cygnet.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Royal Mute Swan Female-Pen.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Breeding Pair of Royal Mute Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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4 Month Old Black Australian Cygnets.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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4 to 6 Month Old Mute Swan Cygnets.  One Royal & One Polish.  Cute !
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Adult Royal Mute Swan Female-Pen.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Black Australian Male-Cob.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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12 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Male.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Black Australian Swan Male-Cob.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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5-6 Month Old Trumpeter Swan Cygnets.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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4 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnets.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Adult Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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11 Month Old Black Australian Female. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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6 Month Old Royal Male Mute Swan Cygnet.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs
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Adult Trumpeter Swan Male-Cob. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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6 Month Old Royal Male Mute Swans.
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs************
18 Month Old Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs


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Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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6 Month Old Trumpeter Swan Cygnet. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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Adult Royal Mute Swan Female-Pen. 
SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

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THANK YOU for Sharing your Homes and Ponds/Lakes with our Swans and Cygnets. SWAN INVOICE-PAID RECEIPTs

 

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INVOICE-RECEIPTs Created by PA SWANLOVER Linda    March 2022. 

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WHY we Ground Captive Swans

February 11th, 2022 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in WHY Ground Captive Swans - (Comments Off on WHY we Ground Captive Swans)

WHY PINIONING YOUR SWANs and CYGNETs
is a WISE DECISION – Responsible.

Swans are Much Better Pets, if they Do NOT Fly Away..

Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion
Click Images to Enlarge

Swans Evolved to Fly – Flight is Programmed in their DNA.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

YOU can NOT say to your Swans – “You are Not Allowed to Fly.”
We Live with Pet Swans in a Realm between Captive Domestics
and their Wild Instincts.. and NO 100% Rules.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

I WISH Grounding Swans was not Necessary.
Seeing Mute Swans Living Wild and Free to Fly
is an Experience I will always Cherish.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

When I First Start Learning about Swans,
I Hated the Idea of taking their Flight Away…
It is Magical to Watch Swans.. Flying Free.. Such Joy..Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

Over Time I have Experienced TOO many Sad Outcomes when Swans Fly.
Basically, a Mute Swan that Flies is likely Doomed.
TOO many Sad Stories.. of Full-Wing Swans and their Tragic Ends.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

I have Come to Terms with the Practical Reasons for Pinioning.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

When we want to Enjoy Swans as Captive Domestic Pets..
** When Pinioned they are Safer.. a Little Less Worry.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

Every Time I Pinion a Cygnet, I know I Increase the Chance this
Precious Little Life will Grow to be a Healthy, Happy, Domestic Pet.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

I DO Understand the Reluctance.. Especially the First Time.
My Emotions.. Hates taking Flight Away from the Swans.
For them to Never know the Joy of Flying Free..
BUT,,,, If we allow them to Fly.. their ODD of Dying Increases.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

There are So Many Thing that can Happen to a Swan that Flies..

Once we Pinion and they are Captive for us to Enjoy (Pets),
the Swans Depend on us to Help them have the Nutrients
that their Healthy Bodies require. We are Domesticating them.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Captive-Raised Domestic Swans often lack Survival Skills
such as Predator Avoidance and the Ability to Navigate back
to their Home, their Pond, and Private Property Safety.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

On Ponds with Adult Swans that are Pinioned
the Captive Raised Cygnets Never Learn to Forage beyond their Ponds.
These Cygnets become Dependent on the Available Feeds.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

When these Cygnets are Chased off Private Property by their
Parent in Late Fall-Mid Winter, there is NO Natural Food Available.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

At the Pond Below.. there was Limited Food.
The Cygnets were Chased-OFF in Early Fall.  Half of the Eight Cygnets Perished.
We Arranged Homes for Three of them.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
If these Young Swans are Socialize,
they may Look for Places where there are People – Seeking Food.
AND Scare the Heck out of Folks Unfamiliar with them.
They may Land on a School Yard, Shopping Center, etc..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Eight to Ten Month Old Cygnets are Actively Growing..
If they are Lucky and are NOT Shot to be Meat on a Hunter’s Table,
Months of Starvation is Painful. Many will Perish..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
The Young Female Mute Swan Above was Very Lucky to be Rescued.
She was TOO Weak to Walk, Closed to Death.
After Two Months of Care at a BackYard Rescue she was Adopted to a Loving Home.

If Swans were Naturally Living in the Wild, they would have
a Feeding Range of 3-5 Square Miles to find the Nutrients
their Bodies needs to be Healthy.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

For Feral-Wild Swans Harsh Winter Conditions will be
a Hardship without Humans Supplementing Feed/Food.
Many first year Cygnets will Starve or Freeze to Death.
SWAN CYGNET Dies on ICE

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Another Sad Story of a Young Full Wing Swan.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

On a February Day Images of a Dead Swan Stuck in the Ice of the
Landwer Canal (Berlin, Germany) started to appear on Social Networks.

Passersby Speculated the Cause of Death to be the Extreme Cold
Winter Weathers that Germany was experiencing as part of a Polar Vortex
with Temperatures going well Below Freezing.

People Walking along the Frozen Canal would Toss Flowers onto
Swans Carcass. After 3 Days Authorities removed the Swan from the Ice,
Closed the Area under the Bridge to prevent People from Gathering
on the Unsafe Spot.

The Following August, a Comment was left under a Post of One the Images.
“I passed that bridge when he was still alive…
he flew to pass underneath the bridge
but it was pretty dark already and he crashed against the bridge
leaving his neck broken. We couldn’t help him as the ice
was still too thin to walk on it. Was very sad”

 Another Swan Flying into a Solid Structure.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
LEGAL STATUS
The Legal Status of Mute Swans in the United States
has Drastically Changed since 2003-2004.

Mute Swans are No Longer Protected by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918.

Until 2004-2005, the Practice to Pinion was a Swan Owner’s Choice.
Often Ignored.. Too much Trouble.  They Want the Beauty of the Full Wings.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

NOW the U.S. Federal Government WildLife Services Require
that Non-indigenous Mute Swans be Pinioned.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Mute Swans are Required by Law in Canada to be Pinioned.
Mute Swans in the United States are NOT Allowed to be Feral.
Several States are Very Strict with these Requirement.
“ZERO Tolerance.”
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

In the United States, in the States where Mute Swans are still Allowed
to be Privately Owned, it is generally Required that these Mute Swans
be Pinioned to Discourage Feral Populations.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Several States that Still Allow Mute Swans
>> Require them to be Grounded.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Permits and Pinioning are Required in Several States..
Compliance will be Randomly Checked..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Some States may Tolerate Annual “Clipping.”  This MUST be Done.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

There is a State that Requires Mute Swans to be Enclosed in Fencing..
Totally.. Basically Caged.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Each State has Determined what will be Included
in their Mute Swan Management Policy.

More and More State are Prohibiting Ownership of Mute Swans.

There are States that Only have a few “Grand-fathered” Mute Swans.
These are Mute Swans that were Living there before the State’s
Management Policies changed to Prohibit Future Mute Swans..
These Mute Swans are Permitted to Remain > if Grounded.
but, Can NOT be Replaced. No Cygnets may Hatch.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
For Years these Social Birds will Live Alone.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

To Sell or Buy or Barter or Give a Mute Swan, Cygnet or their Eggs
to another Person in many States has become more Restricted.
Guideline and Regulation Differ in each U.S. State.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Some States that “PERMIT” Captive Mute Swans
do not Allow Cygnets to Hatch.. Swan Eggs may Not be Sold.
So, Learning to Prevent Eggs Hatching is Necessary.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Responsible Care of your Swans and Cygnets will greatly
Reduce many SAD Outcomes to Swans that become Feral.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
The Beautiful Female Swans Above were Destroyed – Both Shot to Death.

**************
As of 2022: It is still Legal – OK to Own and Care for Mute Swans
on Private Property in Pennsylvania.
Mute Swans are Classified as Exotic Domestic Poultry.
PA Swans can Reproduce and Cygnets be Adopted to New Home.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

In Pennsylvania, Feral Mute Swans are Classified as Vermin..
and may be Destroyed by any “humane” method 24 Hours a Day,
365 Days a Year.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Any Mute Swan, Adult or Cygnet that might Wander away from
Private Property into a Navigable Public Water Ways is Fair Game
to anyone who wants to Destroy these WayWard Swans.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

This includes any Mute Swan, that might Walk off Private Property
to Nest along a Nearby Stream, Creek, Lake, etc. Classified as Public.
Do your BEST to ENCOURAGE your Swans to Nest on your Private Property.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

**From a Print-Out for Navigable Water Ways in Pennsylvania.
“Depending on how a Swan Owner’s Property is Bordered or Crosses
some Water Ways which may be used by the Public for Recreation,
there will be Debates on where the Swans would be on
Legally Protected Private Property or considered Feral.
If you have any Doubt Check with your PA Regional (WCO)
WildLife Conservation Officer. ”
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Every Year or So there are Changes/Updates on the
PA Fish & WildLife – Game Commission WebSites.
Nothing in Favor of Relaxing the Regulations for the Mute Swans.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

It is STRONGLY Recommended to have Adult Swans Pinioned
and to Pinion their Off-Spring/Cygnets.
The PA Game Commission may Revise their Recommendations at any time.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Before 2004-2005, the Mute Cygnets Living on Private Property
with Captive Swan Parents until they were 8-10 Months Old,
were Allowed to Simply Fly away when the Adult Pair
began Preparing for the next Nesting Season.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
A large Percentage of these young Swans are Ill prepared to Care
for themselves Living Feral-Free.
Their Captive Parents can not Teach them to Live as Wild Swans.
The few that Survive are the Feral Mute Swans,
that have become the Swans of “Lethal Management Practices”
in many States since 2004-2005.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Feral Mute Swans are being Destroyed in more and more States
as a Lethal form of Management of the Mute Swans.
The Atlantic Flyway and the U.S. Hunting Lobby are basically
working toward Eradicating Mute Swans in the United States
and much of Eastern Canada.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Countless Thousands of these Beautiful, Graceful Swans have been
Destroyed in the last 15 years.
Mute Swans have been Maligned by most WildLife Services.
Animal Right Groups have been unable to Stop their Slaughter.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Public Push-Back has had Small Successes – Be a Voice for the Mute Swans.
Being Responsible Swan Owners will Help Prevent Feral – Free Flying Swans.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
It is Recommended that the Removal of Feral Mute Swans
be Done Out of View of the Public. To Avoid Public OutRage.

I will Add a Topic Page about >> “Silent Taking” Methods.
It is Difficult to Accept that these are “Humane Methods.”Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

ANY MUTE SWAN that becomes Feral in PA will not survive Long.
This is Posted in the PA Hunting & Trapping Digest..

https://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=56877

Mute Swans are Considered an Invasive Species in the State.
The PAGC Recommends that the Feral Mute Swans be Removed
at any Opportunity.
There is No Closed Season and they may be taken at any time
on Public Lands and Waterways.
In PA Hunters Shoot as many Feral Swan as they can..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

There have NEVER been more then 100 Mute Swans living Feral in PA
According to the Mid-Summer Mute Swan Surveys conducted by
the Pennsylvania Game Commission in 2005 – 2008 – 2011.
(MSMSS) These Counts have been Discontinued.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Working with and Learning about Mute Swans over the Years,
I have come to Terms with the Benefit of Pinioning Swan Cygnets.
Any Swan that leaves your Private Property and becomes Feral and Free
WILL Pay Dearly.  Few will Survive.

This is Why I help Swan Folks Learn to Safely Pinion…
Keep Swans Grounded FlightlessALL these Darling Cygnets are Living on Private Ponds and Loved.

The FEW Young Mute Cygnets that are Rescued in the Spring..
are JUST LUCKY that someone found them before the Hunters.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

All Species of Swans will be Safer when Grounded.

Registered Trumpeter – Black Australian – Mute Swans
Whooper – Black Necked – Coscoroba Swan
( Tundra Swans are Prohibited as Captive Pets. )
PINIONED-GROUNDED SWANs are CAPTIVE PETs.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

All Species of Swans have the Same Hazards if they are Able to Fly.

*********************
NOW BEYOND THE LEGAL FACTs.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Imagine this Scenario:
You have Just Purchased Mute Swans..
You have been Planning this for Weeks, maybe Months.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

You have Paid an Adoption Fee.. $600 to $1,500 to $2,000 Dollars.
Much more for the More Exotic.. Swans.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

You are Home.. Swans are out of their Transport Containers..
and Gliding Gracefully out on the Water Environment
you have been Planning to Enhance with their Beauty..

Your First Time to have these Magnificent Waterfowl..
You Turn to Sit on your Pond Bench.. Big Smile..
They are Finally here.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

As you Watch these BIG White Birds Exploring your Pond or Lake
they start to Run.. and Run Flapping..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Sound of BIG Webbed Feet Slapping on the Water Surface..
Their Black Eyes Gleaming… Flapping, Running..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Flapping Wings Lift the Swans off the Water.. then Quiet..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

A Beautiful, Breathtaking Sight as they Leave your Pond
Gaining Height, Clearing Shrubs, then Trees..
You are Sitting – Relaxing on your Bench.. Speechless..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Odds are Good they WILL Fly Away. “Bye, Bye Birdies.” Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
They have NO Loyalty to You or your Pond/Lake.
( or your Lone Resident Swan ).
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
NEVER Put Swans on your Pond until you KNOW they are Flightless/Grounded
– Pinioned or Clipped.  CHECK their WINGs before Releasing to the Water.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

PINIONED or FULL Wing
https://swanlovers.net/category/pinioned-or-full-wing/
*************************
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Just Because you are Told.. you are Adopting a Pinioned Swan..
Not Everyone Does this Effectively.. CHECK the Wings.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Watching Swans in Flight is Breathtaking.
Watching Your Swans Fly Away is Heartbreaking.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Purchase and Care of Swans is not Cheap.
Prices vary by Age, Specie, Availability, Location, Breeder or BackYard Ponds.
…They are not Cheap. You will not be Happy if to see your Swans
go for a Morning Flight on a Cool, Stiff Breeze and just keep going,
leaving you with a few White Feathers.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Trying to Catch Swans that Fly is Very Difficult.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

This is the Risk of having Full-Winged Swans..
Odds are Always there that they WILL Fly Away.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Most Swans and Cygnets are ReHomed/Adopted during
the Last Summer and Early Fall.. When Air is Still Thin..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless All Five Cygnets Above were into New Home by September.

When we get to Cooler Mornings.. Cool Fall Mornings.
The Air is Denser.. and Swans Enjoy Flying..
Swans get a Twinkle in their Eyes.. Turn to a Brisk Breeze..
Wings Start to Flap… They Run Across the Water ..
and May Lift up into the Air.. A BIG Risk they will Fly Away.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless The Swans in these Two Images are Pinioned.. and Just Play Chasing.
They Can NOT Fly Away. Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

To PINION Pet Swans is Responsible.  Yes, My Opinion..LMS
The RESPONSIBLE thing to do is to Pinion Cygnets.

Then Arrange New Homes for them by Fall.. NOT Release.
DO NOT Allow them to Fly Away and become Feral.. and Shot.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Understanding How and When to Pinion Swan Cygnets
will Minimize many of the Problems of Full Wing Swans
for Current and Future Swan Owner-Adopters.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Done Properly a Pinioned Wing will Appear Fairly Normal.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

I have Helped a Wide Variety of People Learn in Person.. and with these WebPages..
Swan Folks and Veterinarians have Used this Procedure on their Own..
and Called to let me know.

As Far as Hurting the Tiny Cygnets..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

I can say, most of these Folks are Surprise that the only Time
the Cygnets feel Pain.. is the Second you PULL the Dental Tape Tight.
ONE Second to Save their Life and Improve their Future as Pets.
When You Cut the Wing Tip – they do not Flinch..
( IF the Tape is TIGHT ! )

A Spring Cygnet that is not Pinioned and is Flying by Late Summer,
knows the World is a Bigger Place then its Home Pond..
Catching to Clip them is VERY TRICKY.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

A Cygnet’s Instinct to Fly is Intense when their First Flight Feathers Emerge.
Their First Primary Flight Feather are BLOOD Feathers..
You will have to be Very Careful to Clip them Safely.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Once a Swan Cygnet Learns to Fly, they are Harder to Keep in Place.
We have tried – FRUSTRATING.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

IF I AM HERE:
I will be Happy to Talk you Through.. or Answer ANY Questions.
I will be Happy to be on the Phone as you do the Pinion Procedure..
Their Future Safety as Captive Pets is the Goal..
FEBRUARY 2022 AS LONG as I can.. I will Share Information..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
*********************************************

Pinioning is Permanent
https://swanlovers.net/category/pinioning-is-permanent/
*************************

For a While I was Recommending Folks have their Veterinarian
Assist at least the First Time.

I have Learned that Just Finding an Avian/Exotic Veterinarian
is NOT Enough.

As Time Passes, I find that it is NOT Easy to Find Veterinarians
that are Trained or Willing to Treat Swans OR Pinion !

SEEK Exotic – Avian Trained DVM / VMDs.
You will Also Need their Help to Control Parasites.

Check Your Area for an Avian Veterinarian
https://swanlovers.net/category/check-your-area-for-an-avian-veterinarian/
*************************

TO Pinion an Older Cygnet or Adult Swan is Time Consuming
and Hard on the Swan and their Owners.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
It is Only done Safely by an Avian/Exotic Veterinarian
WILLING to Preforms this Procedure.

To Pinion Older Cygnets-Swans Safely
https://swanlovers.net/category/to-pinion-older-cygnets-swans-safely/
*************************

As I Interact with Swan Folks across the Country,
I am hearing more People are Learning their Veterinarians
are NOT Willing. They will NOT Pinion.. ONLY Clip..
They Express they have an Ethical Issue to Pinion Swans.
– Considering Swans Wild Waterfowl.
SO, Start Early to CALL Avian Veterinarians,
so you Know what your Options are.

We have Learned Over the Years, how Tragic it is when a Swan is Lost.
Lost to a Predator, Lost to an Injury, Lost to an Illness.
All Hard to Prevent. These Losses are Heart Wrenching..

But, Watching a Beloved Swan Spread it Wings and take Flight
with NO Guarantee that they will Return to your Property..
Anxiety and Apprehension..

Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

I have had Too Many Calls from Anguished Swan Folks
Fearing their Swan is Gone. Many are.

Some have been able to Keep Track of their Swans for a Few Days or Weeks.
Only a Few have been Successful bring them back Home.. Clipping ASAP.
BE SURE TO CLIP when you have hold of your Swan..

Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Young Swan Above was a Rescue.  It Took Time for him to Socialize.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Mute Swans that Fly are at High Risk of Perishing.
Ask me.. I have a Growing List of Swans that Flew Away.
Many, we will Never Learn what Fate they Met.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

With Each Passing Year.. I have Contact with More and More
Swan Folks, who find this Website.. And Get in Touch with me.

I Listen to their Stories of Anguish and Woe.
They are Hoping I Will Tell them their Swans will Return.
This is a Very Hard Lesson for Swan Owners to Learn.

Occasionally, I Learn of some Lucky Swan that is Rescued
and Brought Back to Private Property.. Home ! ( BIG SIGH ! )
>>> CLIP that Swan BEFORE Putting Back on Your Pond.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Swans do have Good Memories.. If they Left and Decide to
Return Days, Weeks or Months Later.. it was their Choice.

OOOOOOHHHH… the Wind.. Be Aware of Windy Days..

Cool Windy Fall Days.. the Air is Dense and Flight is Easy.
Swans – All Waterfowl LOVE the Freedom of Flight.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Flight Capable Swans may Take to Air and Fly about Close to Home…
…If It is NOT Storming and Visibility is Good they may Return.
Swans are Visual and they Know where they are.. In Good Weather.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Flight Worthy Swans do become Lost when there is a Nasty Storm
with Rain or Snow.. when Land Marks are more Blurred
from their Vision.. Some Mute Swans Get Blown Far Away..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
We have Rescued Several Swans after Storms..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Swans Living Free – Feral will be Exposed to MANY Hazards.

There are SO Many Dangers for a Swan that Flies.
Swans are at more Risk of Mortal Injuries. Few will Get Help.
Mute Swans that Fly Away may not Survive for Long.

Keep Your Swans Grounded – Flightless – for their Safety.
It is Important your Swans are GROUNDED..
( I Know I AM REPEATING Myself. )

Pinioned Cygnets and Swans have a BETTER Chance
to be Captive, Private Property Pets..
They can Still Walk – Wander About..  You Still Need to Keep Track of them..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Pinioned Swans have Difficulty Trying to Fly during the
Hot Summer Months.. the Air is Too Thin.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

BUT, in the Fall and Winter the Air is Denser..
Add a Cool Brisk Breeze.. and Some “Grounded”
Swans will be able to go for Short Flights.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Proper Pinioning makes Balancing Difficult..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

**************************
Knowing that there are Swan Folks who will NOT be Responsible
and Ignore Pinioning Cygnets that Hatch on their Ponds
is VERY Disappointing. They are Enjoying their Swans..Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

But they Allow these Cygnets to Fly Away,
while there are Other Folks who have Been Waiting to Adopt Swans..

Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

CAPTIVE MUTE SWANS are not Migratory.

Mute Swans are NOT Migratory Birds.
They will not Fly South in the Fall..for the Winter Months.
They will not Fly to the Chesapeake Bay..
Living Feral-Wild Mute Swans normally move
about an area of Three to Five Square Miles.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Captive Pet Swans that Fly Away ARE NOT Migratory Waterfowl.
Mute Swans are NOT Migratory Waterfowl..
Trumpeter Swans Raised in Captivity are NOT Migratory Waterfowl.
Captive Raised Trumpeter Cygnets DO NOT LEARN to Migrate.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Escaped Feral “Pet” Swans will not have an Easy Time Surviving,
Especially in the Northern States.
There are an Average of Five Winter Months with Little Natural Food.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Living in Wilderness Areas there are Natural Hazards for Swans.
Living near Humans, there are many more Hazards.

OVERHEAD WIRES:
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Over Head Electric Wires.. Swans are in Danger of being Electrocuted..
Their Forward Vision is Poor.. they do NOT See the Thin Wires.
They Fly into Electric Wire and are Electrocuted..

The Power Lines along a Rural Road may carry 7,200-14,000 Volt Circuits.
In Larger Towns there are Power Lines carrying more than 19,000 volts.
Coming in Contact with any of those Voltages would be Deadly.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

If a Swan happens to touch TWO Wires at once, or a Wire and a Ground,
they will Probably be Electrocuted.
If they Survive, the Severe Burns will do far more Damage then will be Noticed at first.
A Fair Percentage will need to be Euthanized,
unable to Recover from unseen Internal Burns.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Over the 2021 Winter Holidays.. I Received a Call from a Person in my Swan Network.
A Man who for Several Years has been Actively
Caring for the Swans on a Large Retirement Community Lake.
Polish Female Mute Swan

While he was on Vacation, FAR from Home..
One of the Young 2021 Cygnets – 7 Months Old.. (Above is an Example )
Flew into Electric Wire, was Electrocuted – ( Did Not Survive )
and Knocked out the Power for the Surrounding Area..Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

The Electric Utilities were NOT Happy, the State Police were NOT Happy,
the State’s WildLife Services were NOT Happy,
the Lake Community was NOT Happy..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Now ALL the FULL Wing Swans that have been Living on this
Lake have Questionable Futures.. NO One wants a Repeat.
The Man who has been Caring for the Swans.. Loving them
will not have the Final Says..
*************************

  A Very Pleasant Surprise.. ONE Young Cygnet has Survived being Electrocuted !
Memorial Day Weekend 2022.. A Wayward Mute Cygnet Flew UP into the Transmission Lines
of a Small Area Town.. Shorted OUT the Area,.. and Fell Lifeless to the Ground.

Electrocuted Swan Cygnet
I will Summarize the Month Long Story..  The Stunned Cygnets… Yes, it was Alive..
was Taken to an Animal Rescue Group.. Evaluated by a Veterinarian..
Watched for a Month.. DNA Determined MALE.. and a Private Home Arranged.
This is the FIRST Swan I have Know to Survive Electrocution.

******************
Living in Areas with Over Head Telephone and TV Cable Wires,
Swans can get Tangled
Communication Wires have Lower Potential for Electric Shock..
But, they can Still be a TANGLE Hazard..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

It is Impossible to tell what Voltage a Wire may be Carrying
just from looking at it or whether a Particular Wire Carries Electricity,
Phone or Cable TV Service.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Normal Voltage in Telephone Wires that provides the Dial Tone
is not Dangerous. When a Phone Rings, a Series of High Voltage AC
Surges up to 100 Volts, and this can be Mildly Shocking.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless So Many Over Head Wires.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

With Wing Spans Six to Eight Feet, any Cables or Rope
between any two Points may be a Tangling Hazard.

Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Even Country Clothesline Ropes..Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

FENCING:Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Swans Mis- Judging Fences – Common Injury – Broken Neck..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
A Fence Meant to Protect Could become a Hazard for a Flying Swan.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - FlightlessElectric and Barb Wire Fences are Difficult to See from a Distance.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

******
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
Flying around a Country Farm, a Swan may become Tangled
in Wire Fencing, Electric Pasture Fencing, Barb-Wire.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
The Struggle to Free Itself …well, it will not be Pretty.
****************
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Just his Neck Fits Through this Garden Fence.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

WET ROADs – Wet Parking Lots:

On Rainy Days, Swans may see a Wet Rain Soaked Asphalt Roads as a Stream.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Or a Wet Parking Lot as a Pond..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Attempting to Land on these Wet Surfaces they Break Legs or Foot Bones.
Frequently Broken Leg Bones Result in Euthanasia.

Below ???  Parking Lot or Pond.. ??
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Like other Waterfowl, Swans may Fly into Moving Cars or Trucks, etc.
Especially on Rainy Days.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

BEING HIT by VEHICLEs:

TOO Many Swans are Hit by Vehicles..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
The Young Male below.. Had the Impact to his Head.. He was Stunned for Days.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Swans are BIG BIRDs.. They can Scare a Driver,
Possibly Causing an Accident.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
If the Police are able to Track the Swan/Cygnet back to your Property..
YOU are Liable..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

FERAL – ROGUE SWANs:
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Feral Swans Lost and Wandering
– Flying about from Place to Place – Become Rogue Swans.

These Swans might End-Up in a Public Places that may Abuse them.
Since they do not belong to Anyone.. they often do not get Help when Hurt.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

A Rogue Swan may FLY into an Established Swan Pond..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
Disrupting the Established Swans that are in Captive Care..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
We had our Lives Turned UpSide Down by a Rogue Female Swan.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

The Result..  We Lost All Three Swans in the End.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

SWIMMING POOLs:

Swans are NOT Welcome Guests in Private Swimming Pools..
NOT Welcome ! ! BIG BIRDs.. Lots of Poop..
Mute Swan Swimming Pool Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

If a Rogue, Feral, Wild or Pet Swan, Duck or Goose
Finds a Swimming Pool and Decided this a Safe Place to Enjoy..

They will be DRINKING the Chlorinated Water the Entire Time
they are in the Pool. This could Damage their Internal Organs.
 WHY we Ground Captive Swans
***********************************

This Pool Cover Below would Look like Water from Above.. A Landing Place ???
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - FlightlessComing in for a Landing !  Keeping Your Swans Grounded - FlightlessPerfectly Done on REAL Water.
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SHOT BY HUNTERS:

Flying Into an Area where Hunting is Allowed.
In Most States the WildLife Services Remove Feral Swans.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Many Feral Swans in PA are Found in the Sight of
a Hunter’s Rifle and Shot Dead.
A Percentage of Hunters feel “If they Fly.. they Die..”
BOOM !Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
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Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

In PA Mute Swans must stay on Private Property or they are Likely Destroyed.
On Public Lands and Public WaterWays they are Fair Game 365 Days a Year.

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FLYING NEAR AIRPORTS:    This might be a Rare Risk..

How Dangerous is Bird Strike on an Airplane?
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/25822-how-dangerous-is-bird-strike-on-airplane
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

Swans that are Flying About an Airport are a REAL HAZARD to the AirCraft..
These LARGE Birds Getting Sucked into an ENGINE
will Likely Cause Engine Damaged.

Because of their large Size, Mute Swans pose an Aviation Hazard
in the Event of Collision with an Aircraft. Three such Collisions have
been reported from JFK Airport in New York despite Active Management
of Swans on the Airport Property (NYSDEC 2017).

From 1988 to 2017, a total of 263 Civilian Aircraft were either Destroyed
or Damaged beyond Repair due to Wildlife Strikes around the World.
98% of Wildlife Strikes are Bird Strikes.

Below are Migrating Tundra Swans..
They are a Concern for Airports During the Season they are On the Move.Keeping Your Swans Grounded - FlightlessIf the Swans Keep Moving Great or the Air Traffic may be Delayed
Until the Swans are Not Near the Airport Run Ways.

DNR might be Called to Come, Chase or Destroy these Swans if Necessary.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

Basically… the Mute Swans that Fly near an Airport are Destined to Perish.
They are Not Protected as are the Tundra Swans.

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Life is Very Difficult for Feral Swans..

In 2022 I Talked with a Person who Lives in a Large Golf Community.
They have Swans that are Not Pinioned..
One of their Females Flew into the UpStair’s Picture Window
of One LakeSide Home – it was a Fatal Flight.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Pinion

This Swan Flew THROUGH a Bathroom Window.  Surprise !
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

Just thinking about All the Possible Dangers to your Beautiful Swans…
the Act of Pinioning starts to Sound like a Reasonable Safety Precaution.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
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CLIPPING is the Second Accepted Way to Keep Your Swans Flightless.
It Takes 5-10 Minutes Once you have Hold of a Swan..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

It is a Challenge to Sell, or Re-Home a Full-Wing Mute Swan/Cygnet.
Being Pinioned is BEST..  Much more Adoptable..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
Proper Clipping will keep a Swan Grounded until
their Next Annual Moult is Complete.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

A New Owner Should be WILLING to keep these Swans Properly “Clipped.”
And UNDERSTAND what this means.
***********************************************
If you Acquire a Feral Rescued Swan… from a WildLife Rescue Group..
these Swans will Likely be Full-Winged.   BE SURE TO ASK About this !Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

It is SO IMPORTANT While Adjusting a FULL-WING SWAN to a
New Home that they are CLIPPED to Keep them Grounded.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

I have talked with Numerous People, who Purchased Full-Wing Swans
that Flew Away.. in a few Short Days. Few Folks ever get them back.

Or have Gotten a Swan from a Rescue Group..
( Many Rescue Groups do not like to even Clip )
And Days-Weeks later the Swan Flies Away.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

These Swans were Lucky to be Rescued the First Time..
There was Time and Resources to Care for these Mute Swans until Healthy..
These Rescued Mute Swans may NOT be Release to the Wild.
But, then Given to People who do not Know.. the Swan might Fly Away..
These Swans are Back OUT in the Dangerous Feral Environment
they were Rescued from.. ( SIGH ! )
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

If You are NOT Comfortable Clipping..Ask Your Veterinarian
to Assist You. This Topic Page Information will Help.

Clipping Captive Swan Pets
https://swanlovers.net/category/clipping-captive-swan-pets/
*************************

You will Need to be Extra Careful with Growing Cygnets.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

 Swans are NOT Clipped like House Birds, Ducks or Geese..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

This Needs to be Done Annually after Your Swans Moults.

Timing this is Tricky.. and You MUST Observe the Stages of Moulting
their Primary Flight Feathers to do this Safely and Successfully.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

I have Documented the Stages of Moulting..
on the Clipping Captive Swan Pets Page.

I Understand the Difficult Challenge to >>> TIME Clipping.
NOT ALL Swans Moult at the Same Time..
Pens Moult First.. the Cobs Moult about a Month Later.
If a Swan is in Poor Health, that may Delay a Proper Moult.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

If your Swans and/or Cygnets are Full-Wing..
There is a Short Window of Time for the Optimal Time to Clip..
The Risk of being Late by a Few Days or Weeks is a Swan that Flies Away..

THE Most Concerning Time is as Fall Approaches and the Air Cools.
On a Cool Crisp Day ADD a Breeze and Swans WANT to Fly.

This Wonderful Image of Whooper Swan Cygnets was Shared by a Gal in Finland.
They are Wild.. Free to Fly as their Natural Instinct is in Control.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

I Feel it is VERY UNWISE to have TWO Full-Wing Swans on the Same Pond..
They would Need to be Clipped at Different Times.
**********************
This was the Exception.. a VERY Dedicated Adopter..
A Gal who Wanted to Try having the THREE Rescued Mute Cygnets Above
Come to Live on her Large Mountain Lake.  She has DONE Well.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
It has been SIX Years and ALL Three Swans are Still on her Lake.
The Three Together have had Periods of Seasonal Squabbling.
The Large Water Environment has Provided Space for them to Work it Out.
With Each Passing Year, they are Doing Better as a Mute Threesome.

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IRRESPONSIBLE CRUELTY / ABUSED

The Person who DID this HAD NO IDEA what they were Doing.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Several Images are of a very CRUDE Attempt to Clip. Cutting through Blood Feathers.
The Stated Purpose was to Constrict Band Amputate the Portion of Wing.. to Pinion.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless The Tight Green Band was not Stopping the Bleeding.
After Several Days this Cygnet was Surrender to us..
ASAP, we took him to our Avian Veterinarian.
The Cut Feathers Blood Loss was Significant.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

His Blood Values were Terrible.. He was Not Eating.
We had Two Days to Try to Stabilize him Physically.
His Mutilated Wing Started to SMELL TERRIBLE !
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
The Sliced Wing Skin was Developing Wet Gangrene.
The Infected Portion of the Wing was Surgically Removed.
We had Named him “Liberty” – he did not Survive.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

“Liberty” had been a BIG Healthy 11 Month Old Cygnet
before his Owner Allowed someone Else to do this.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless Over Time I have Learned of Several other Barbaric Practices to Pinion.

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The Safest, Simplest Time to Pinion is when Cygnets are Tiny.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

I Will Always be Sad to take Flight Away from Swans.
I have to keep Reminding myself.. that they will be Safer..
Grounding is what Allows us to keep Swans as Pets..Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

I am Sure there will be Lots of Debate on what is Wise
and What is Best.. and What is Right.. ..We Pinion.

This Information is a Work in Progress…..
Compiled by (C) L.M.Sweger . . . . .  . . UpDated FEBRUARY 2024
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Below are Several Examples of the Sad OutCome of Full-Wing Swans..
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The Sad Saga of a Swan named “Prince Harry.”

“Prince Harry” was Rescued in Early Summer of 2015,
by a Dedicated, Active Wildlife Rescue Group..  He was Injured – Found Living Feral.
The WildLife Rescue Group cared for him for Weeks until his Health Improved.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

In PA, WildLife Rescue Groups are Allowed to Care for Mute Swans
that are Brought in from a *Feral Situation.
But Unlike other Wild Animals and Birds that they Care for and Release,
the Mute Swans MAY NOT be Release back to Live in the Wild-Feral.
Mute Swans will Need a Private Property Adoption..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

I Arranged for a Home for this Full-Wing Juvenile Male Mute.
I EXPLAINED to the Adopter that this Swan would NEED to be Clipped Annually.
They already had a Pinioned Juvenile Female on their Pond.
“Prince Harry” was Placed on the Family’s BackYard Pond in Mid-Summer of 2015.Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

On Arrival to us, We Clipped “Harry” ASAP to keep him Grounded..
His Moult was just Starting..
So Clipping would Need to be done Again after his Moult Completed..
Not as Trusting yet, No One could Get Hold of  “Harry”..
I Reminded the Adopter Several Time.. We would come Help.. “No, he is OK.”
On a Breezy November Day… OFF “Prince Harry” Flew !!!  AND FLEW !!
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Rob and I had an Amazing “Rescue” Catching “Harry”.. Unbelievable Story.
Talk about “DUMB Luck”.. “Prince Harry” was ALSO VERY Lucky.”
He was Clipped ASAP Following this November Adventure ! !
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

After his Moult in Summer 2016.. This Busy Person did not Clip him..
I Reminded Multiple Times.. “It was TIME to Clip ! ! ”
On a Chilly February Day ( 2017) while Visiting.. I Reminded AGAIN !!!
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

“NO Problem, “Harry” has Not been Trying to Fly.”
He is Settled in here.. “Harry” is OK..
>>>>> WRONG !
We Learn Later, his Wife Saw “Harry” Flying.

Two Days Later, “Harry” Left… Flying about to Local Country Ponds..
There are Roughly 12-15 Small to Medium Size Ponds that are Short Flights.
He would be Gone for Days or Weeks at a Time.. then Return.

Now and then “Harry” would Stop at Home for Quick Visits..
But, he was Basically a “Rogue Swans.”
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

He was almost Three Years Old in the Winter of 2016-2017.
A Gentle Cob. For some Reason, he did not Pair-Bond
with the Female that was on this Private Family Pond.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

There was One Time he was “Dirty Harry” when he Flew Home.
Good Grief… Where had he Been ? ?
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
One Morning, the Family looked out – “Prince Harry” was there.
They Noticed Something LOOKED Odd with “Harry.”
Getting Closer, OH NO.. what Happened !!!

“Harry” was Eating, Drinking, otherwise looked OK.. ?????
Except he was Bleeding.. ! !  His One Wing was Mangled ! !
The Couple went into the VERY COLD February Pond to get him..

We got a Call from “Harry’s” Owner. “Harry” was Hurt ! !
“Harry” had became Tangled in Something and Severely Broken One Wing..
Poor Guy.. “Harry” could not tell Anyone how it happened. ? ?
He was Lucky to be Alive. He got Home Somehow.

“Harry” was taken to an Avian Veterinarian due
to an Almost Total Traumatic Wing Amputation.
The Stump NEEDed to be Cleaned, Prepared and Properly Closed..
One of the WORST Wing Injuries I have seen..
Almost Twisted Completely OFF..Terrible ! !
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

“Prince Harry’s” Owner was Stepping-up to try to get him through this.
I have Cared for my Share of Severe Injuries.. It is Full-Time Care.
It would have been much Easier to Put “Harry” Down.. Sad Thought.

There was NO Chance to Stabilize this Swan..
An Unknown Blood Loss – NO Choice Surgery NOW !!
This had to be Addressed NOW.. ! !
“Harry’s” Broken Bones were Oozing Blood.
There was just an Inch of Skin Holding the Primary and
Secondary Section of his Wing together. It would be a Quick
Snip.. Debride, Clean – Stitch the Stump, Dress the Wound.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Surgery was Done.. Completed..
But, “Harry” did not Wake-Up from the Anesthesia.
His Loss was Heart Breaking for All of Us..

Sadly, the Fast Trip to a Veterinarian was NOT Successful.

If “Harry” had Survived, NO Pond TIME.. Kept DRY and Quiet.
He would need Antibiotics Twice a Day for Several Weeks..
Probiotics X2 Daily, Bandage Changes, Sponge Baths to keep his
Waterproofing and his Bottom Cleaned..

Maybe One or Two Trips to the Vets Office for Rechecks..
A Special Vitamin-Mineral Supplement to help him Replace the Lost Blood.

His Wing Stump Kept Dry until the Stitches Come Out.
They would need to keep his Feet on Soft Substrate
to Prevent Bumble Sores.

Lots of Clean-up – Swans are BIG Messy Birds.
Kept in a Safe Place. ETC. The Family has 3 Small Girls..
It would be a Big Chunk of Time in their Day.

The ONE Big Worry, we were all Helpless to Control was “Stress Mortality.”
There is No Way to know what “Prince Harry” went through
when he was Injured.  During the next 2-3 weeks,
he could Die from Capture Myopathy-“White Muscle Disease.”

Everything done at the Vet’s and Post-op Care can be Perfect.
But, the Stress of his Entanglement may have Sealed his Fate.
You hold your Breath for about a Month.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless This Gentle Male – Full-Wing Feral Rescue. Knew the World was a Bigger Place.
We Could NOT Keep him in Place when his Wings could Carry him Away.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless “Prince Harry” Lived Flying Free for Less then a Year.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
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The Saga of “Gilbert” Sad, but True.

A Young Male Mute 11-23 Months Old.. ??  Very Confusing History.
Early April..  “Gilbert” was Advertised
To be ReHomed – Free for the Taking..
“Gilbert” had Started to Chase the Owner’s Dog, etc.

“Gilbert” had been Alone for Close to 8 Months
on a Large Tree Lined BackYard Pond.
( Where NO One had Observed him Flying.)
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Happy Adopter was TOLD this young Male was DNA Checked
and Pinioned. ( The Original BackYard Breeder, Said this. )

“Gilbert” was Released Shortly onto the New Family’s Pond..

Thrilled to have this Young Male Swan, I was Contacted
to see if I might Know of an Available Female.

Yes, I had a Young Female on my ReHome List.. Yeah !
She was 11 Months Old. She was Not Pinioned.
She is Full-Wing..Clipped for Now.
I Explained what would Need to be Done in the Future.
She would be Grounded until Late July-Early August.

The Man Drove to Pick-up the Female.. A Long Round Trip.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

They Arrived Home to an Empty Pond.. NO “Gilbert” ! !
“Gilbert” was Located Swimming on a Neighbor’s Pond..

This Very New Swan Novice went to Feed “Gilbert” at the Neighbor’s..
One Day, maybe Two Days. Then “Gilbert” was GONE Again..

Searching Local Ponds and Streams.. He FINALLY Found “Gilbert”
on a Pond 1/4 Mile Away..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
Again Arranging Permission to Feed “Gilbert.”  Hope to Get Hold of him.
Several Days Later, we had a VERY Windy Day State Wide..
This Time “Gilbert” Flew off into the Clear Blue Air.
Now he was Really Gone..

This Young Male..ca. 22-23 Months Old.. is now a Rogue..
He is just Out and About.. where the Blue Sky Takes him..
Until he is Not.. “Gilbert’s” Fate is UnKnown..

This Unsure Outcome.. means “Gilbert” could Bounce about
and Maybe Return once in a while..
NO Loyalty to Anyone or any Body of Water..

A Rogue Swan can be a REAL Problem to an Established Swan Pond.
Sigh !!! Just Ask me.
Our WHOLE Swan World Changed on a Chilly February the 14th..
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Keeping Your Swans Grounded - FlightlessIn One Day our Male was Smitten with this Rogue Female.
We Tried to Catch her and Move her to a New Home..  NO LUCK !
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If you Chose Not to Pinion.. and the Cygnets Fly Away.
They will more then Likely be Destroyed..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - FlightlessIn PA it is Not Legal to Release Mute Swans or their Cygnets into the Wild.
Sadly, it is not the Swan Owners who Pays a Fine..
It is the Swans or Cygnets, they Pay with their Lives.
The Discarded Pinioned Pen Below was Shot to Death.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
Few are Rescued, most are Destroyed.. They are Fairly Helpless.

Your Tiny Cygnet will Grow Quickly.. Summer Days will Pass..
When Fall Arrives.. you Need to have Plans for Rehoming-Adopting Cygnets.
Young Swans are Much Better Pets, if they Do NOT Fly Away..
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

The Parent Swans are Ready for them to Leave..
We Rarely have the Adult Swans Show any Sign of Missing them by Sept-Oct.
Healthy Cygnets do well their First Winter.. They are Ready.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

The First Weeks after Hatching, If the Cygnets are Taken or Lost
the Parents will Search and Call for them for Several Day..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
All of her Tiny Cygnets were Gone in 12 Days.
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If your Adults are Full-Winged,
when their Cygnets are around 3-4 Months Old..
It will be TIME to Clip your Adults to Prevent them from Flying.
The Instinct is there for the Parents to Teach their Cygnets to FLY..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless The Adult Swans will start to Run over the Water Flapping their Wings..
It Start as “Play Chasing”.. This will Strengthen the Cygnets’ Wings..Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless In a Short Time the Group will try to go to Air..
If your Adults are Grounded that will Minimize the Risk.
BUT, there will Still be an Instinct in the Cygnets to try to Fly…
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless ( If the Cygnets are NOT Pinioned. )
DO CLIP them once you See their Primary Wing Feathers Fully Emerged..
Use Care NOT to Clip Where there is Blood in the Primary Feather Shafts.
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

If the Cygnet Never Learn to Fly, it will be easier to Keep them in Place..
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless

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Keeping Captive Birds that through Natural Adaptation or Selective Breeding
have lost the ability to Fly removes the need for Pinioning;
for example, keeping Indian Runner Ducks as opposed to Wild-type Mallard Ducks.

Quality of Life:
The Removal of a Body Part of a Captive Animal-Bird by Human Beings
is an Issue of Contention (see animal rights).
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Permanent Enclosures Designed to Prevent Accidental Egress (escape) of Swans
Removes the need for Pinioning. These are Extremely Confining Habitats.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Quality of Life for a Captive Animal-Bird is often used to justify Modifications.
In most Circumstances, if Swans are to be kept in Captivity,
Pinioning can Increase their Quality of Life.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless

Captive Swans allowed to Roam a Property and Pond
have a Higher Quality of Life through their Freedom of Movement,
Allowance for Natural Behaviors, and Increased Mental Stimulation
when compared to Penning in a Fenced Enclosure.
Keep Swans Grounded Flightless
*****************************************************
Keeping Your Swans Grounded - Flightless
We Live with Swans between Semi-Captive and Semi-Free.

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Many of the Swans that we Enjoyed are Now Distant Memories.
Watercolor Memories
Swans we have Loved and Lost.
https://swanlovers.net/gallery/

Keep Swans Grounded Flightless