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
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.
************ Royal Mute Swan Cygnets 6-8 Months Old.************ Mature Breeding Pair of Mute Swans.
************ Adult Royal Female-Pen Mute Swan.
************ Two Year Old Juvenile Royal Male Mute Swan.
************ Mature Breeding Pair of Royal Mute Swans.
************ Juvenile Male Royal Mute Swan. ************ Four Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.
************ Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans.
************ Juvenile Female Royal Mute Swan.
************ 10 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.
************ Breeding Pair of Black Australian Swans. ************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob. ************ 11 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet. ************ Breeding Pair of Black Necked Swans. ************ Juvenile Female Royal Mute Swan.
************ Juvenile Royal Male Mute Swan.
************ Mature Breeding Pair of Mute Swans. ************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob.
************ Adult Trumpeter Swan. ************ Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female. ************ Adult Black Australian Female-Pen. ************ Mature Adult Trumpeter Swan. ************ 5 to 6 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet.
************ Adult Trumpeter Swan Female-Pen.
************ Breeding Pair of Royal Mute Swans. ************ Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Male.
************ Mature Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans. ************ Mature Adult Mute Swan Male-Cob. ************ Adult Black Australian Swan Male-Cob.
************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob ************ 4 Week Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnet. ************ 4 Week Old Black Australian Cygnets. ************ 6 Month Old Polish Mute Swan Cygnet. ************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Female-Pen. ************ Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans.
************ Breeding Pair of Royal Mute Swans.
************ Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
************ 4 Month Old Black Australian Cygnets.
************ 4 to 6 Month Old Mute Swan Cygnets. One Royal & One Polish. Cute ! ************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Female-Pen. ************ Adult Black Australian Male-Cob.
************ Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
************ 12 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Male. ************ Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
************ Adult Black Australian Swan Male-Cob.
************ 5-6 Month Old Trumpeter Swan Cygnets.
************ 4 Month Old Royal Mute Swan Cygnets. ************ Adult Breeding Pair of Trumpeter Swans.
************ 11 Month Old Black Australian Female.
************ 6 Month Old Royal Male Mute Swan Cygnet. ************ Adult Trumpeter Swan Male-Cob.
************ 6 Month Old Royal Male Mute Swans. ************ 18 Month Old Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Male-Cob.
************ 6 Month Old Trumpeter Swan Cygnet.
************ Juvenile Royal Mute Swan Female.
************ Adult Royal Mute Swan Female-Pen.
************ THANK YOU for Sharing your Homes and Ponds/Lakes with our Swans and Cygnets.
************ INVOICE-RECEIPTs Created by PA SWANLOVER Linda March 2022.
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..
Click Images to Enlarge
Swans Evolved to Fly – Flight is Programmed in their DNA.
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.
I WISH Grounding Swans was not Necessary. Seeing Mute Swans Living Wild and Free to Fly is an Experience I will always Cherish.
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..
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.
I have Come to Terms with the Practical Reasons for Pinioning.
When we want to Enjoy Swans as Captive Domestic Pets.. ** When Pinioned they are Safer.. a Little Less Worry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When these Cygnets are Chased off Private Property by their Parent in Late Fall-Mid Winter, there is NO Natural Food Available.
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. 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..
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.. 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.
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.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Another Sad Story of a Young Full Wing Swan.
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.
NOW the U.S. Federal Government WildLife Services Require that Non-indigenous Mute Swans be Pinioned.
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.”
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.
Several States that Still Allow Mute Swans >> Require them to be Grounded.
Permits and Pinioning are Required in Several States.. Compliance will be Randomly Checked..
Some States may Tolerate Annual “Clipping.” This MUST be Done.
There is a State that Requires Mute Swans to be Enclosed in Fencing.. Totally.. Basically Caged.
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. For Years these Social Birds will Live Alone.
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.
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.
Responsible Care of your Swans and Cygnets will greatly Reduce many SAD Outcomes to Swans that become Feral. 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.
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.
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.
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.
**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. ”
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.”
ANY MUTE SWAN that becomes Feral in PA will not survive Long. This is Posted in the PA Hunting & Trapping Digest..
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..
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.
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… ALL 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.
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.
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.
You have Paid an Adoption Fee.. $600 to $1,500 to $2,000 Dollars. Much more for the More Exotic.. Swans.
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.
As you Watch these BIG White Birds Exploring your Pond or Lake they start to Run.. and Run Flapping..
The Sound of BIG Webbed Feet Slapping on the Water Surface.. Their Black Eyes Gleaming… Flapping, Running..
Flapping Wings Lift the Swans off the Water.. then Quiet..
A Beautiful, Breathtaking Sight as they Leave your Pond Gaining Height, Clearing Shrubs, then Trees.. You are Sitting – Relaxing on your Bench.. Speechless.. Odds are Good they WILL Fly Away. “Bye, Bye Birdies.” They have NO Loyalty to You or your Pond/Lake. ( or your Lone Resident Swan ). NEVER Put Swans on your Pond until you KNOW they are Flightless/Grounded – Pinioned or Clipped. CHECK their WINGs before Releasing to the Water.
Just Because you are Told.. you are Adopting a Pinioned Swan.. Not Everyone Does this Effectively.. CHECK the Wings. Watching Swans in Flight is Breathtaking. Watching Your Swans Fly Away is Heartbreaking.
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.
Trying to Catch Swans that Fly is Very Difficult.
This is the Risk of having Full-Winged Swans.. Odds are Always there that they WILL Fly Away.
Most Swans and Cygnets are ReHomed/Adopted during the Last Summer and Early Fall.. When Air is Still Thin.. 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. The Swans in these Two Images are Pinioned.. and Just Play Chasing. They Can NOT Fly Away. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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.
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.
Done Properly a Pinioned Wing will Appear Fairly Normal.
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..
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.
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.
Once a Swan Cygnet Learns to Fly, they are Harder to Keep in Place. We have tried – FRUSTRATING.
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.. *********************************************
TO Pinion an Older Cygnet or Adult Swan is Time Consuming and Hard on the Swan and their Owners. It is Only done Safely by an Avian/Exotic Veterinarian WILLING to Preforms this Procedure.
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..
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.. We have Rescued Several Swans after Storms..
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..
Pinioned Swans have Difficulty Trying to Fly during the Hot Summer Months.. the Air is Too Thin.
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.
Proper Pinioning makes Balancing Difficult..
************************** 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..
But they Allow these Cygnets to Fly Away, while there are Other Folks who have Been Waiting to Adopt Swans..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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.
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.
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.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Living in Wilderness Areas there are Natural Hazards for Swans. Living near Humans, there are many more Hazards.
OVERHEAD WIRES: 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.
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.
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.
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..
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.. 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.
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..
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.
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. So Many Over Head Wires.
With Wing Spans Six to Eight Feet, any Cables or Rope between any two Points may be a Tangling Hazard.
Even Country Clothesline Ropes.. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
FENCING: Swans Mis- Judging Fences – Common Injury – Broken Neck.. A Fence Meant to Protect Could become a Hazard for a Flying Swan.Electric and Barb Wire Fences are Difficult to See from a Distance.
****** Flying around a Country Farm, a Swan may become Tangled in Wire Fencing, Electric Pasture Fencing, Barb-Wire. The Struggle to Free Itself …well, it will not be Pretty. ****************
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.
Or a Wet Parking Lot as a Pond.. 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.. ?? 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.. The Young Male below.. Had the Impact to his Head.. He was Stunned for Days. Swans are BIG BIRDs.. They can Scare a Driver, Possibly Causing an Accident. If the Police are able to Track the Swan/Cygnet back to your Property.. YOU are Liable..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
FERAL – ROGUE SWANs: 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.
A Rogue Swan may FLY into an Established Swan Pond.. Disrupting the Established Swans that are in Captive Care.. We had our Lives Turned UpSide Down by a Rogue Female Swan.
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..
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. ***********************************
This Pool Cover Below would Look like Water from Above.. A Landing Place ??? Coming in for a Landing ! Perfectly Done on REAL Water. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
SHOT BY HUNTERS:
Flying Into an Area where Hunting is Allowed. In Most States the WildLife Services Remove Feral Swans.
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 ! *******************
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.
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.If 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.
Basically… the Mute Swans that Fly near an Airport are Destined to Perish. They are Not Protected as are the Tundra Swans.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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.
This Swan Flew THROUGH a Bathroom Window. Surprise !
Just thinking about All the Possible Dangers to your Beautiful Swans… the Act of Pinioning starts to Sound like a Reasonable Safety Precaution. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
CLIPPING is the Second Accepted Way to Keep Your Swans Flightless. It Takes 5-10 Minutes Once you have Hold of a Swan..
It is a Challenge to Sell, or Re-Home a Full-Wing Mute Swan/Cygnet. Being Pinioned is BEST.. Much more Adoptable.. Proper Clipping will keep a Swan Grounded until their Next Annual Moult is Complete.
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 !
It is SO IMPORTANT While Adjusting a FULL-WING SWAN to a New Home that they are CLIPPED to Keep them Grounded.
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.
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 ! )
If You are NOT Comfortable Clipping..Ask Your Veterinarian to Assist You. This Topic Page Information will Help.
You will Need to be Extra Careful with Growing Cygnets.
Swans are NOT Clipped like House Birds, Ducks or Geese..
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
IRRESPONSIBLE CRUELTY / ABUSED
The Person who DID this HAD NO IDEA what they were Doing.
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. 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.
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 ! 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.
“Liberty” had been a BIG Healthy 11 Month Old Cygnet before his Owner Allowed someone Else to do this.Over Time I have Learned of Several other Barbaric Practices to Pinion.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The Safest, Simplest Time to Pinion is when Cygnets are Tiny.
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..
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 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Below are Several Examples of the Sad OutCome of Full-Wing Swans.. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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.
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..
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.
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 !!
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 ! !
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 !!!
“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.”
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.
There was One Time he was “Dirty Harry” when he Flew Home. Good Grief… Where had he Been ? ? 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 ! !
“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.
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. 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. “Prince Harry” Lived Flying Free for Less then a Year. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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.)
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.
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.. 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.. **************************************************** In One Day our Male was Smitten with this Rogue Female. We Tried to Catch her and Move her to a New Home.. NO LUCK ! &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
If you Chose Not to Pinion.. and the Cygnets Fly Away. They will more then Likely be Destroyed.. In 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. 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..
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.
The First Weeks after Hatching, If the Cygnets are Taken or Lost the Parents will Search and Call for them for Several Day.. All of her Tiny Cygnets were Gone in 12 Days. ***************************************************
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.. The Adult Swans will start to Run over the Water Flapping their Wings.. It Start as “Play Chasing”.. This will Strengthen the Cygnets’ Wings..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… ( 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.
If the Cygnet Never Learn to Fly, it will be easier to Keep them in Place..
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).
Permanent Enclosures Designed to Prevent Accidental Egress (escape) of Swans Removes the need for Pinioning. These are Extremely Confining Habitats.
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.
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. ***************************************************** We Live with Swans between Semi-Captive and Semi-Free.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Many of the Swans that we Enjoyed are Now Distant Memories. Watercolor Memories Swans we have Loved and Lost. https://swanlovers.net/gallery/
October 25th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in TO Pinion Older Cygnets-Swans Safely - (Comments Off on How are Older Cygnets and Swans Pinioned Safely.)
I have been Collecting Data for Nesting Swans for Years.. Swan Folks Sharing the Happy News when Healthy Cygnets Hatch. I Share the Basics with ALL.. Feeding Cygnets Basics.. AND >>> PLEASE PINION and DNA the Cygnets and Arrange for Homes.
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
By Pinioning Cygnets before THREE Weeks Old..21 Days you may Save their Life.. And you can Skip Reading this Topic Page.
I have Suggested that Folks New to Swan Care and want Help the First Time they Pinion ask their Avian Veterinarian to Help Pinion their Cygnets. Show you How – Learn Together. Many Veterinarians has No Experience with Swans.
BUT: With each Passing Year, I have New Swan Folks who Try to make these Arrangements and are being Told, their Veterinarians have an Ethical Issue with Pinioning Waterfowl – Swans. These Vets will Clip Wing Feathers but they will NOT Pinion.
As a Result Some Swan Owners Attempt to do a Crude Wing Pinion on their Older Cygnets/Swans themselves.
I have Learned of a Number of Horrific Cruel Ways that this might be done. I can not Imagine how Terrified the Cygnets and Swans would be when a Section of their Wing is Removed without Sedation.
I had been Planning to List some of these…To Shock Readers.. But, I will NOT.. I would Hate to Give Anyone an Idea.
IF you are Unable to SAFELY and HUMANLY Pinion an Older Cygnet/Swan.. then Please Plan to Clip to keep these Swans Grounded and Safe from all the Perils of Flight.
Clipping is a Reasonable Commitment for an Unpinioned Adult Swan in Private Care. The Swan Pays the Price if you do not get it done. On a Nice Breezy Day, they may just Fly Off and be Destroyed.
Being Socialized with Humans, the Swans will look for someone to Feed them. They really are not Suited to Live Feral after being in Human Care.. Over Time, if they Survive the Winter Months.. they Relearn being Wild.. but, it is not Automatic. Many will Perish..
I Wish ALL Veterinarians would Think about ALL the Dangers for Domestic Swans that Fly.
Within a Week these young Female Mute Swans were Shot..
Hunters, Power Lines, Fences, Wet Roads, Traffic, etc. If Swans Fly they are at Risk..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& In the Following – these are Swans and Cygnets that we Cared for. Several had OTHER Surgical Wounds while in our BackYard Rehab Enclosure. I have Included their Images that Reflect the General Care that is Similar. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
WHEN CYGNETs are TOO OLD for YOU To PINION.
I am going to Section the Information by Basic Ages:
#1 Cygnets UP to 28 Days – 4 Weeks.. #2 Cygnets that are 4 – 10 Weeks Old. #3 10 Weeks to Mature Adults..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
#1 Cygnets UP to 28 Days – 4 Weeks..
It is Important to know the Date that your Cygnets Hatch.. It is BEST to Pinion by Day 21.. When the Opportunity Allows.
Try Not to WAIT until the Last Few Days to Pinion. The Days Tick By Quickly. Sometimes the Swan Family will NOT Cooperate so that the Pinioning Gets DONE when you are Planning. It Happens.
We have Learned some Tricks.. to Catching the Swan Family.
IF you are planning to have a Veterinarian Pinion Cygnets that are older then 4 Weeks Old.. THEY Need Sedation..
I have Pinioned Cygnets Safely up to 4 Weeks.. I will only do this if I KNOW the Date the Cygnets Hatch. 28 Days is my Limit. The Cygnets are a Little Bigger..
Before Doing ANYTHING.. I Check for any Firm Bone Forming in the Distal-Primary Wing Tip… I have not Felt any Stiff Bone at 28 Days. I have Tied and Snipped the Wing Tip as Usual.
We Keep a Close Watch for any Bleeding before Cygnets are Release to the Water. So Far, I have not had ANY Cygnet have a Problem.
This is the Same Cygnet when she was Four Months Old.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
#2 Cygnets that are 4 – 8 – 10 Weeks Old. Cygnets on Average Hatch in May.. 4 – 10 Weeks would be into July.. HOT Summer Months.
Swan Cygnets Older then 28 Days Need to have Extra Care to keep them Safe.
SURGICAL PINION ***ONLY Done by a Veterinarian.
The Responsible way to Pinion an Older Cygnet, Juvenile or Adult Swan is by a Veterinarian who is Willing and has been Trained to do Surgical Pinion.
The Procedures become much more Involved and Costly with Each Passing Week. The Younger the Cygnet – the less Involved this will be.
Cygnets from 4 – 10 Weeks Old may only need a Simple Sedation Procedure.. NO Pain or Stress. Recovery is Quick and Simple.
An Example of this: Rescue Friends – Rescued a Brood of Cygnets 55 Days Old. Last Week of June.. None were Pinioned..
I Checked for the Bone Forming in the Distal Wing Section. YEP !! It was Firm.. Called our Trusty Veterinarian.. made Appointment. We took 5 Healthy Cygnets to the Vet’s Clinic the Next Day. They were Exactly 8 Weeks Old.. (Below Image is a Different Cygnet 58 Days – as Example.)
Each Cygnet was Sedated.. Pinion Joint Prepared for Surgery – ONE WING ONLY..
Colored ID Bands were Placed on the Same Side the Pinion was being Done.
The Bones were Developed Enough that a Bone Cutter was Used to Remove the Distal-Primary Wing Tips..
Each Cygnet took an Average of 15 Minutes.. The Cygnets were Waking-up within Minutes..
I was Able to Express a Nice Drop of Blood from the Wing Tips Removed.. for a DNA-Sex Blood Dot Sample.
2-3 Stitches were Placed in the Skin at the Surgery Site.
We Checked each Cygnet for any Bleeding before we Left the Clinic..
We were Home within 30 Minutes.. The Cygnets were Placed in a Safe Place for the Rest of the Day and Over Night.. Checked in the Morning – All OK and Release to the Rescue Center’s Pond..
There were NOT Antibiotics Needed.. NO Restrictions for the Cygnets.. The Cygnets were Checked Daily for about a Week.. for any Sign of Infection. ALL Cygnets did Well.. NO Further Appointments. DONE..
Within a Few Weeks New Homes were Arranged.. ALL 5 Cygnets were Adopted to Loving Home..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
#3 Cygnets 10 – 12 Weeks to Mature Adults..
TO PINION SWANs – Juveniles and Adults – Swan 3 Months Old and Older – Mature.
The Diagram Below is the BASIC Idea of the Action to Pinioning a more Mature Bird. This Diagram is of Smaller House Birds.. Cygnets and Swans are MUCH LARGER.
This was the Plan for this 11 Month Old Male Mute.. to Constrict and Cause the Distal Section of his Wing to Die.. This was the WORST I have Every Seen. This was a Healthy Young Swan.. He Died due to this Terrible Effort to Pinion him.
Older Cygnets and Swans are TOO BIG for Constriction Amputation. The Older the Cygnet, the More Extensive the Procedure WILL be.
Once a Cygnet is 3-6 Months Old.. Your Vet will Decide what is the Safest Procedure for the Growing Swan Cygnets.
Older Cygnets, Juveniles and Adult Swans.. BIGGER Procedure.
If you have WAITED until the Cygnets are Several Months Old, then try to Wait for Cold Weather to have them Pinioned. ( if Possible.)
The Risk of Infections is much Higher in Warmer Weather. You will have a much Better Outcome if you Wait until after Heavy Frost in the Fall.
In Areas where there are True Cold Winter Conditions, it is Recommended that Surgical Pinioning be done during the Coldest Months to Reduce the Risk of Infection and Insect Maggots..
In Pennsylvania, December, January and February are the Preferred Months.
If you Plan to Surgically Pinion a 16-18 Month Old Swan during the Swan’s Moult.. (Summer) the Swans will be trying to Preen MORE and there will be LOTs of Loose Feathers to Deal with.. BIGGER Mess.. Better to Consider Waiting for the Winter Months.. ( if Practical )
In the Mean Time You will need to Ground your Cygnets-Swans (#1) Clip 5-7 Primary Flight Feathers on ONE WING Only OR (#2) Pull some Primary Flight Feathers – ONE WING Only until you are Ready to have the Surgical Pinion Procedure.
DO NOT CLIP OR PULL Primary Flight Feathers unless you know when and how to do ONE of these Safely.
BEFORE THE SURGICAL PINION PROCEDURE: For Cygnets 3-4 Months Old to All Mature Adults. This is Elective Surgery.. to Render a Swan Flightless.
You will Need to Locate a Veterinarian who is Trained and Willing to Preform this Procedure.. If you Talk with your Avian Veterinarian while your Adult Swans are Incubating their Clutch of Eggs.. you will Know what your Options are..
It takes a Minimum of 3-4 Weeks. Three-Four Vet. Visits.
(1) Discuss the Cost with your Veterinarian… Average Total Cost $600-800-1200 for Surgical Pinion of the Older Cygnets/Swans.
(2) First the Swan Needs to be seen by the Veterinarian for a Pre-Op Evaluation. (About 7 – 14 Days before Surgery)
The Evaluation will likely include Laboratory Blood Tests. Maybe an Ova & Parasite Check on a Fresh Stool Sample.
Swans need to be Healthy to have Elective Surgery-Anesthesia. There will be some Blood Loss. The Swan should not be Anemic.
Their Kidneys and Liver need to be Healthy. Various Medications need to Clear through these Organs.
This is a GOOD Time to Pull a Sample of Breast Feathers to send for DNA-Sex Testing. (If you do not know the Swan’s Sex.)
It takes 7-10 days to get the DNA-Sex Test Results. This way you will know which Wing to have Pinioned.
For Cygnets Too Young to have Feathers, (True Feathers start around 55-60 Days Old.) Ask for a Drop of Blood when the Lab Tests are Collected and Send this Blood-DOT Sample for DNA-Sex Testing. Order or Prepare Blood-DOT Collection Cards/Papers Ahead of Time.
It takes 7-10 Days to get the DNA Results. This way you will know which Wing to have Pinioned. MALEs – Left Wing …..FEMALEs – Right Wing
If you are Having Several Cygnets Pinioned.. BE SURE you can Match the Results to Each Cygnet/Swan. Banding with Colored Leg Band is the Easiest.. Change as they GROW…
(3) CONSIDER the Difficulty in having to Recapture the Cygnets/Swan… For the Day of Scheduled Surgery.. PLAN Ahead..
(4) Post-Op Care… The Veterinarian will Advise HOW LONG to Keep the Swan OUT of Water.. PLAN for a Safe Place to Recover. The Cygnets/Swan will Likely need Antiboitics for 10-14 Days. The Surgical Wounds will Need to be Checked and Bandages Changed.
You Need to Keep the Cygnets/Swan in a SAFE Fenced Area or in a SAFE Shelter during Recovery.
This is a GOOD TIME to GIVE Parasite – Medication. These Treatments are usually 2 doses – Given 14 Days Apart. These Medication need to be Prescribed by your Veterinarian.
(5) Once your Swan is Cleared for Surgery… Set-up an Appointment for the Surgery.
This Young Female was Under Weight when we Rescued her.. Her Moult was Delayed.
We did needed to Wait for her Health to Improve before having an Elective Surgery.
(6) AS YOU PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR SWAN PINIONED. EXPECT the Following and Prepare for these Post-Surgery Needs.
To keep the Swan/Cygnet DRY & CLEAN for Two to Three Weeks.. NO POND – NO POOL… Keep Wound DRY.
You will Need a VERY SAFE PLACE for the Feathered Patients Day and Night.. They will be Recovering..Healing. They Can NOT Protect themselves.
Best to keep Swans in a Barn, Shed, a Sturdy Tent or a Protected Covered Fence Enclosure. Protect from Predators ! Check these Areas for Hazards to Create a Safe Place.
Remove Glass Items, Sharp Things, Things they may Reach and Pull Down.
Check Cables, Cords, Ropes, etc. Swans will get Bored and Explore. AND, LOOK for Places they may Crawl through and get Stuck. Swans CAN NOT Breathe if they can not Move their Rib Cage. If they get their Heads Stuck, they may Pull Hard Enough to Injure themselves or Worse.
Protect from Freezing COLD. Provide Safe Heat.. Out of their Pond they are Subject to Air Temperature. Consider an Electric Heated CAT PAD.. Put Inside a Thick Trash Bag to Protect the Pad from being Soiled.
Provide Plenty of CLEAN Dry Bedding Material to Snuggle Down into. > > > STRAW NOT Hay.. NOT Wood Chips.
Electric Heated Water Dishes are very Useful.. Available at most Farm and Pet Stores.
Try to have Blunted Scissors to Cut Bandages OFF. Safer.. Some Blunted Kid’s Scissors do fine. Try them first.
Antiseptic Wet Wipes are Useful. A Gallon of Clean Water/Paper Towels. Plastic Bags – Gallon Size – Not ZipLoc. NEW Roll of Paper Towels. (In Clean Bag) Roll of 1″ Painters Masking Tape. Plastic or Vinyl Disposable Gloves. 3-4 Large Clean Short Cotton Tube Socks. Cut Ribbing off Old Tube Socks.
Medium Bowl to Soak Wound.. If Advised. Have a Bottle of Betadine – Povidone-Iodine, an Antiseptic used for Skin Disinfection before and after Surgery.
Several Large Clean Bath Towels. Wash after each Use – Sanitize in Dryer.
You will need Food and Water Containers.. Choose Containers that will NOT BREAK. (NO METAL) Swans will STEP-in and Upset Containers Not Fastened or Not Heavy Enough to Stay Upright.
Choose Smaller Container for Water.. Swans will Try to Climb into or onto Larger Water Dishes or Pans..
**For Very Small Cygnets 2 Weeks to 2 Months.. Use Containers only 2-3 Inches High. They will try to Climb into Buckets and MAY GET STUCK or if they Fall in Head First may Suffocate or Drown. Keep Water Dish Small, but Adequate. If the Water Dish is TOO Large the Cygnets will Try to Swim in it.
**For Young Cygnets 2-6 Months Old… It is Safer to use Containers only 6 Inches High. They will try to Climb into Buckets and MAY GET STUCK or if they Fall in Head First may Suffocate or Drown. Keep Water Dish Small, but Adequate. If the Water Dish is TOO Large the Cygnets will TRY to Swim in it.
**For Cygnets 6 Months to Adult Swans.. Look for Heavy Containers or Ones you can Secure to a Post or Fence. A Short Bucket for Dry Feed Mix. We used Polyvinyl Dish Pans for Wet Vegetables. Tie or Bungee the Handle of a Bucket to Prevent it being Knocked Over.
A Short Bucket for Water is also Good for Swans Tall enough to Stand Up and Comfortably Drink. Lettuce Greens are usually Welcome.
Swans have a STRONG Desire to be “IN Water.” Do not be Surprised to see them Sitting on their Water Dish. The Water may need to be Changed Several Times a Day due to Poop. A Little Poop in the Water is OK.. This will Add Bacteria to their Gut.
Keep Feed and Water Containers Side by Side. Or Put the Feed in the Water.. a Slurry.. They will Suck it Up.. Provide Feed which is Appropriate for the Cygnets/Swan’s Age.
We carefully Wash their Bottom as Needed. Swans HATE to be Dirty.. They will try to Clean-Preen and Spread Poop all over themselves. Remove Body Waste as found. Poop will Attract Flies and other Insects. You may have Maggots if their Bedding is not kept Clean.
On Nice Days, we Covered the Wound Dressing with a Gallon Plastic Bag to Protect the Surgical Site.. Painter’s Masking Tape is Great to Keep a Plastic Bag in Place. And GENTLY Sprayed the Cygnet/Swan ALL OVER to Encourage Preening. This Helps to Maintain Good WaterProofing and Warmth Insulation.
The Cygnet above had a Nasty Foot Injury.. He would Play in the Sprinkler.. Get ALL Wet and then Preen in the Warm SunShine.
Observe Stools for Loose Runny Material. There should be some Formed and some Liquid Watery Poop. Antibiotics may be causing Diarrhea. Food is not being Digested Very Well and Excess Fluid is being Lost. Check with your Veterinarian for Advise.
There is a Product Called Bird Bene-bac Probiotics Gel for Replacement of Beneficial Live-Culture Digestive Bacteria when giving Antibiotic Therapy. Or Check with your Vet.. maybe Using Probiotics Powder would Work-Help..
Swans are VERY Social Creatures. Restricted from being on the Pond and Alone, Swans become Sad, Depressed.. try to Visit and Talk to them more Often.
It is Comforting if Another Swan or Duck can be in with the Patient Swan. Even for Several Hours each Evening and Night.. If Possible, Allow your other Swans to Visit.
Read your Newspaper Aloud… Read Junk Mail.. Visit. Think of them as Small Children. Tell them Stories. I have not tried a Radio on a Music Station set Low.. Might Help.
Try to provide Sunlight on nice Days. We all Feel Better getting some SunLight.
(7) The Night before the Cygnets/Swan’s Surgery Food and Water will be With-held According to Instructions given to you. Direct your Questions to your Veterinary Staff..
**** ASKthe Veterinarian to “SPARE” the ALULA…
This leaves a Nice Cap of Feathers over the Pinioned Site. Pinion a Known Female on Right Wing.. Pinion a Known Male on Left Wing..
(8) The Cygnets/Swan will generally be Released to you once they are Awake and Drinking. Follow the Veterinary Post Surgery Instructions carefully. They may have information I have missed.
To Give Medications and do the Wound Dressing Changes.. This is MUCH Easier with two People. One Needed to Hold and One to Do.
Expect to give Antibiotics Twice a Day for 10-14 Days. Ask for Liquid Medications if available. Give a Few Drops at a Time. Give the Swan a Chance to Swallow.
Check if Long Acting Antibiotic Injections are Appropriate. This will make your Life Easier. But, Often this is NOT the Preferred Treatment. Once a Medication is Injected, it is IN the Body. If there is a Negative Reaction.. Not much can be done.
ASK your Veterinarian to Demonstrate giving the Medications. He may have Tips I have not Learned.
***REMEMBER – Food, Fluids, Medications Etc.. ALL Need to GO Down the RIGHT Side of the Swan’s Neck.. the Esophagus to Gizzard. The Trachea goes Down LEFT Side of the Swan’s Neck for Air to Enter and Leave the Lungs.
***Any Medication going down the Trachea Left Side can be DANGEROUS. Some may Burn the Trachea or Lungs.. Cause Aspiration Pneumonia.. Whole Pills CAN BLOCK their Airway.
If possible, I Dissolve Solid Pills, Caplets, Tablets and Capsules with a Very Small Amount (3-5 Drops) of Water. Draw into a Small Syringe to Slowly give as a Liquid.
GIVE LIQUID MEDICATION SLOWLY. Give Cygnets/Swans a chance to Swallow.
OR in a Small Container.. One Dose – Pill. Add 1 to 2 Drops of Water.. Dissolve to a ToothPaste Texture. Place this on a Finger and Spread on the Roof of the Upper Beak. Allow the Cygnet/Swan to Lick and Swallow for a Few Minutes. Then Allow them to Drink some Water.
DO NOT FORCE MEDICATION when the Cygnet/Swan are Struggling. The Risk is they may Aspirate by Panicky Gasping.. This MAY TURN into an EMERGENCY.. Call your Veterinarian if there is ANY Change in their Breathing.
If there is ANY Liquid that Get into the Trachea.. Put the Cygnet/Swan on your Lap.. Head and Neck DOWN.. Pat their Back. Until the Fluid Drains OUT ! If a Pill Goes the Wrong Way.. Do the Same.
Give the Medication/Antibiotic as Ordered for the Prescribed Time. A Complication Free Recovery is Best for Everyone.
(9) DO THE SCHEDULED POST-SURGERY CARE PLAN AHEAD – Have Everything Ready and in Easy Reach. Work on a Raised Surface, put Towel under Swan’s Feet. Swans DISLIKE Smooth Surfaces and Will Struggle More.
Be Patient and WAIT for the Swan to be Calm before Care Treatments.
Wrap a Large Bath Towel around Body to Control their Wings. **DO NOT Hold TOO TIGHTLY, Swans DO NOT have a Diaphragm. They MUST Expand their Ribs to Breathe.
Be Careful of their Feet, the Toe Claws are SHARP.. Wear a Jacket to Protect your Arms.
Swans have Very Little Bite Pressure. Biting is not much more then a Mild-Pinch. Depending on your Skin and where they Bite. Try not to Pull Away if they Bite, the Beak Nail might Scratch. I have rarely been Bitten.
Scratched by Toe Claws… YES !!! My Fault ! ! Once VERY Deep – Required a Stitch and Antibiotics for me.
If each Time you do the Cygnets/Swan’s Scheduled Care, YOU are Calm and you Keep the Cygnets/Swan Calm, it will become a Routine and become EASIER.
Move and Work CALMLY, Speak Calmly, Softly… be Reassuring. If the Cygnets/Swan are FRANTIC your Job will be Very Challenging. Think Calm, Be Calm, Remain Calm.
If Necessary, STOP, and Try Again when Everyone is Calm. Once your Cygnets/Swan knows they will be OK, they will Generally not Try so Hard to Free themselves.
We have found Mute Swans Settle, Calm Down once you hold them. Black Australian and Trumpeter Swans keep Struggling. (Sigh ! )
** Change Wound Dressing as directed… WASH YOUR HANDS and Wear Disposable Gloves.
Take Care NOT to Cut Cygnets/Swan when removing Old Dressing. Blunted Scissors are Safer. Some Blunted Kid’s Scissors do fine.
Take the Gauze off VERY Slowly, it is often Scabbed into the Wound. If it Hurts, you may see the Cygnets/Swan Trembling… it Hurts.
There will be Stitches. Keep the Wound/Stump as Clean as Possible. Do NOT Allow the Wound to be Uncovered for the First Few Days. Watch for Sweating.. You want the Wound to Stay Dry.
** Report if the Wound Smells Nasty or has Yellow-Green Discharge. Check for Bright Bloody OOzing. A Small Amount of Watery-Blood Tinged Fluid.. is OK.
** We Soaked the Wound with a Light Solution of Betadine for Several Minutes when we changed the Wound Dressing. Mix with Fresh Clean Water until it looks like Weak Tea. So you can Read Newspaper Print through it. Allow the Wound to DRY before Applying Fresh Dressing.
** It is a GOOD Idea to Check for Insect Eggs or Maggots on the Wound. More Risk in Warm Weather.. Little Problem in Cold Months. Just in case an Insect gets under the Wound Dressing. These would Look like Tiny Specks of Pepper..Tiny Eggs. A Simple Magnifying Glass is Helpful. If Insect Eggs or Maggots do Occur – Report to your Veterinarian.. Follow his Instructions.. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL INSECT REPELLENTs.
When we had Swans with Surgery done during Summer Months when Insects-Flies are more of a Problem.. The Insect Repellent we use is an ORGANIC Repellent Pump Spray. A Product blend of Natural Botanical Extracts. Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lemon Grass and Thyme Oils.
***DO NOT SPRAY Directly on the Surgical Wound. Spray a Spritz on the Outside of the Wound Dressing after you finish Taping.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Plant Oils in these Product for use as Food and Beverage Additives for Human Consumption. These have a very STRONG Smell. Take care not to get this in the Swan’s Eyes. Or Yours.. !!!
We ONLY use DAWN Liquid – Original Scent. Cool to Cold Water ONLY. Warm/HOT Water will Cook a Bird’s Tissues. THEY WILL STRUGGLE. This can cause a Wide Range of HARM and MAY become a Medical Emergency.
FOR the WOUND DRESSING.. We use a FRESHLY Opened Roll of Paper Toweling. (Keep Clean-Covered) Wrap One-Two Sheets LOOSELY around Surgical Wound.
Some Air Space will help keep the Covered Wound from Sweating. In the Summer Months – Sweating is a Concern.. During the Winter Months.. Less of a Problem. Tape with 1 Inch Painter’s Masking Tape several Loops Around and some Tape onto Feathers so Toweling will NOT Slid-off.
There is a GOOD Chance the Swan will Pull at the Dressing. There are NO E-Collars for Swans. (I Don’t Think So.)
So the Cygnets/Swan can not Pull the Dressing OFF…. ONLY do this if Necessary.. it can make the Wound Sweat.. NOT Good !
I GENTLY Pulled a CLEAN Short Cotton Tube Sock over the Dressing and up over the Remaining Wing. Tape to Feathers above the Dressing. Snug, but not too tight. Best to use a Clean Sock each time the Wound Dressing is Changed.
You will not need to have the Wound Covered for the Entire Recovery. Check with the Vet at the First Check-up Visit.. If the Wound will be OK to Leave Open to the Air..
YEP.. the First POST-OP Check-up Visit.. So the Vet can see his Handy Work is Healing Properly.. Depending on the Progress.. there will be One to Two more Vet Visits.
SO FAR, (Knock on wood) We have NEVER had an Infection or Complication in our Elective Post-Op Care.
Follow the Veterinarian’s Post-op Instructions…
(10)You will likely be Instructed to see your Veterinarian One Last Time before your Cygnets/Swan are Allowed Back on the Pond. The Cygnets/Swan can NOT go back into Pond Water until ALL the Stitches are OUT. The Stitches going through the Skin will Allow Bacteria to Enter. Stitches Out FIRST.
(11) You might be Asked to Wait Three Days after the Stitches are OUT to Release Your Cygnets or Swan to the Water.
The Juvenile Below had her Stitched Removed at the Third Visit.. The Fourth Visit was a Week Later.. ALL CLEAR for A SPLASHY BATH.
She is Healed and Healthy. We can FINALLY Start to Arrange for a Forever Home.
This Young Female was SO Happy to be on a Real Pond Again ! ! She Splashed, Rolled, Dove, Flapped and Kicked UP her Feet.. Such Joy !
It has been Four Months since her Rescue.. Her New Life is about to Begin..
It was a Sad and Happy Day when we Released “Lily” to her New Home Pond..
BASICALLY That’s ALL Folks.. ( I have probably Forgotten Some Tips..) Every Time I read through this I think of Something ELSE !!!!
OH YES !! There is ONE Last Something Else… If you Pinion your Cygnets before 21 Days.. You and Others will not be Doing ALL THIS.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
(c) L.M.Sweger – Finally Organized October 2021
Working on this Topic Page.. has been more Difficult then I had Imagined.. I have Lots of Experience with the Losses of Full-Wing Swans.. Yes, it has Been Hard, all these Sad Memories Bring Tears.. Swans are Safer if they are Grounded..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
We Tried – But were Not Able to Save these Gentle Mute Pens.
October 5th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in BASIC CARE-WORKING with SWANs - (Comments Off on WORKING with SWANs – An Interesting Challenge.)
WELCOME to the Wonderful World of Swans ! (-;
I have been Debating with Myself.. Do I Place the Above Statement at the Beginning of this Topic Page.. ……Or at the End.. (-; >> So.. I Decided Both..
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
When I think about Working with Swans.. I Smile.. That is-was my Happy Place.
Interacting with these BIG, Enchanting Waterfowl, that are Close to being Free… Having Beautiful Swans Living on a Pond or Lake, Seeing them Willingly Come Over to Visit. … And Nod “Hello.” Working with Swans has been a Magical Adventure.
We have Enjoyed the “Moments in Time” when we are with the Swans.
Over the Years we have had to make some Very Hard Choices for various Swans. Trying to Balance the Sorrows with the Moments of Joy and Wonder.
Not All of our Rescue Efforts were Successful..
The Young Juvenile Above had a Deformity that Prevented him a Healthy Future.
My Goal with this Topic Page is to Summarize General Care, to Minimize SOME of the Potential Harm or Injury and Share Information so your Swans have a Better Chance for a Healthy, Long Life.
There is So Much to Learn about Caring for Swans.. There is NO Way I will be Able to Share Everything We have Learned. Every Swan Adventure has had Different Problems to Resolve.
Having and Raising Swans Entails that you Keep them Fed, Reasonably Safe and Provide them with Conditions Similar to their Natural Habitat.
Swans are Prey Animals.. Keeping them Safe from Predators is a Challenge.
When I do a Quick Inventory of the Different Swan Pairings.. Rehabs.. Losses.. Places.. Ponds.. Years.. I can not think of any One Place that has been Worry Free.
Years Ago I had to Realize I Need to Enjoy Each Visit, there may not be Another. Things would Happen that NO One could Predict.. ( Sigh )
Swans are a Challenge.. Not just the Peaceful Image from Romantic Photos..
It is Good to do your Research and Learn about Caring for Swans. Captive Swans are “Pets” NOT Wild Waterfowl.
SWANs DO NOT Read the Various Books, Websites or Articles Written about them.
There are NO 100% Rules of Behavior. There are Percentages… and Many Surprises..
Just when I Think I will be able to Predict what the Cygnets or Swans will do… They do Something UNEXPECTED.
My Husband has Coined this Phrase, “Swans are Predictably Unpredictable.”
In England you can not be a Licensed Swan Keeper until you Apprentice with an Experienced Swan Keeper for 25 Years.
One of my Common Mantra is.. ” I Wish I Could Talk to the Swans 5 Minutes a Month.”
I Want to Ask… “Why did you DO THAT ??” or “What do You Need ” ?? “Do You Understand, Why I did this ??”
“Please Come Here, I WANT to Help You” ! !
“If you can be Patient with me for a Few more Weeks, your Life will Improve.”
But, that is Not the Case.. I Hope to Share with Anyone who Visit this Site about Swans, Some of what we have Learned..
PONDs or LAKEs***************************************************
Most States have POND MANAGEMENT WebSites. These are Often Associated with Major Universities.. In Pennsylvania.. Penn State has a POND MANAGEMENT WebSite. https://extension.psu.edu/water/pond-management
A Pond or Lake is Never the Same Once Swans have Lived there..
Swans are Comfortable Living Out on a Body of Water.. You will do most of their Care from Land – the Water’s Edge.
Swans Need an Adequate Water Environment. This depends on the SIZE and TYPE of the Pond or Lake.
Is this Water Available Year Round..?? Is there Flow Through ?? Does it Dry Up in the Summer ?? Or Freeze in Winter ??
You DO NOT want to Place Swans on a Water Area where they will Swim AWAY ! ! A Creek, Stream, River is not a Confined-Contained Water Environment.
Nor is a Lake that Empties..to another Body of Water.. Captive Swans NEED to Stay on Private Property – WHERE You Put Them !!
For Swans a Swift Moving Stream through a Private Property is a Fun Water Ride to Somewhere !
****************************************
Take a Good Look at your Water Environment.. Removed or Reduced any Hazards as much as Possible..
Anything that can be a Tangle Hazard.. Ropes, Wires, Bucket Handles.. Large Gauge Fencing..
Another Hazard are Small Pieces of Metal, Coins, Bottle Tabs-Caps, Screws, Nails, Broken Glass.
Shot Gun Pellets in Ponds can be a Worry for Heavy Metal Poisoning. If it is Shiny Swans will Swallow it. Swans are like Little Kids.. and we Need to “Baby Proof”
Snapping Turtles are a VERY Common Source of Injuries to Waterfowl.
Fishing.. If Anyone Fishes on Your Pond or Lake, Ask People to be EXTREMELY Careful with Fishing Line and Hooks.. It is Safest for All the Waterfowl if there is NO Fishing Allowed..
The Young Swans above had Wonderful, Dedicated People do EVERYThing they Could to Give her a Chance to Survive the Loss of her Leg.. The ODDs of her Adapting to Life with One Leg were Low..
In the End All the Effort was a Tough Learning Experience. We were All HeartBroken. She was Loved to her Last Moment.
**********************************************
There are many Sad Stories I could share.. “PiP” is One. He was Lucky to Survive his Tangle with Fishing Line.
His Damaged Foot will not Act like a Snow Shoe in Mud. His Toes-Foot will Get Scratched Easily. He has Lost the Heat Exchange in his Left Foot. And Paddling through Water.. is Uneven..
Every Year I get Several Calls from Swan Folks who’s Swans have been HOOKED !
The Tiny Cygnet above was Out of the Nest ONE DAY. HOOKED !
************************************************
What Plants are GROWING in your Pond or Lake ??? Anything Good to Eat ???
Swans can HELP to Clean Up ( EAT ) these EXCESS Plants.
When a Lawn is Treated to Reduce Unwanted Plants-Weeds, these Chemical may Drain into the Water and will Alter the Underwater Plants. CHECK your Pond for WHAT is Available for the Swans to EAT.
The Golf Course Irrigation Pond Above has NO Under Water Plant Growth.. NONE.
Drag a Rake or Cultivator TWO Feet Down Along the Water’s Edge. See what Plants are Growing.. or What Plants are NOT There.
******
Some Ponds and Lakes are Treated with “Shade Dyes” to Reduce Plant Growth. The Community Lake Above has NO Under Water Plant Growth.. NONE.
A Pond Treated with Chemical to Prevent Plant Growth is Risky. DO NOT USE Herbicide Produces with Copper !Copper is Toxic ! These Products are NOT Tested for Safety for Domestic Waterfowl !
Lawn Fertilizers that helps Lawn Grass become Lush and Thick.. along with other Organic Materials and Run-off.. can cause various Unwanted Plant Grown on/in a Pond…
Some Plants are Great for Swans to Eat.. Some are not.. Some Algae and DuckWeed are GOOD..
Too much.. is just Messy and will Result in Smelly Decaying Material Releasing Tannic Acid in the Fall and Winter. This is Why the Water Looks like Brewed Tea.
Waterfowl… Can Foul the Pond Water with their Organic Waste.. Swans are BIG Birds and have LOTs of Poop.. Add a Brood of Cygnets.. LOTS of POOP… !
In Warm Months, DuckWeed and some Algaes are Organic, Nutritional Floating Plants. ( Result of Excess Organic Fertilizers and Decaying Plant Material.. )
The Exception is HAB – Harmful Algae Blooms There have been various Areas around the Country that have been in the News due to Certain Types of Algae Blooms that are Toxic or Excessive..
Penn State Extension did a Pond Sample Study in Summer..2016. to see how Wide Spread this Toxic Algae is in PA.. And where.
Your Department of Agriculture can Advise, on Ways to Reduce this if it is Growing in your Pond. You would look for a Tiny Shiny Growth that LOOKs like Pea Soup.
All Plant Debris that Falls into your Pond or Lake is a Source of Organic Breakdown.
Aeration is a Good Way to help Organic Materials Break-Down. This Improves the Oxygen Levels in most Ponds.. There are MANY New Types of Systems Developed over the Past Few Years.
This is the SAME POND Seven Months after Aeration was Installed.. !
****************************************
Any Aeration System Selected needs to be Safe for Swans and their LONG Neck. Swans are Nosey – may be Cut by Spinning Propellers that do not have a Guard Grill Cover..
“PiP” Loved to Play with the Water Current from this Aerator..
He started to put his Head DOWN the Middle where the Propeller Fan is Located.. Risking a Cut..
There are SO Many Types of Aeration Systems now.. if you consider Installing a Propeller Type of System.. Ask the Sales People about a Grill over the Fan Propeller.. Let them know you have Swans with LONG Necks..
IF you Pinion any Cygnets that your Swans Hatch… YOU will Reduce the Problem of them Flying Away and becoming Feral or a Rogue Problem for another Pond with Swans.
The Life of a Rogue – Feral Mute Swan Frequently comes to a Fatal End.
To Safely Pinion an Adult Swans is Time Consuming, Multiple Vet Visits, Weeks of Antibiotics and Wound Care, Weeks of Dry Confinement. It SOOooo Much Easier to Pinion Young Cygnets Less then Three Weeks Old.
ADOPTING A NEW SWAN********************************************
Once your have a New Swan/Swans Home.. I would STRONGLY Suggest you put them into a Barn Stall, or Cozy Shed.. for a few Days.
This Allows Unrelated Pairs to Get to Know Each Other before Going Out in the Water. Visit them often.. Sit and Talk with them for a Few Minutes. Let them get to know you..
Many Swans are Good Listeners.. (-; You can tell them about your Day… ( NO Yelling. )
You can Read your Junk Mail to them.. Tell them Stories.. Swans Enjoy Music. They like to hear your Voice.
If you Smile while your are Swearing.. Swans will not feel Threatened..
#@%&* $#%@^ *(&%^$ (-;
After several Days.. they will become Familiar with the Sounds and Smells, and the People who they will now Live with..
They will become Familiar with your Feed before going out onto a Large Area of Water.
Start by Having a Shallow Bucket.. NO Handle or Secure it.. Put Water and Whole Corn in the same Bucket.
If you are Feeding Poultry Pellets.. Put in Bowl next to the Water-Corn. Most Swans LOVE Lettuce.. Add Some to the Water.
When it is Time to Release the Swans to the Water. If you are able to Walk the Swans to the Pond.. Great.. this is Less Stressful. Have several People to Help Guide them.. and be Available to Keep them on the Water.
****** ******
The First Things you will see the Swans do.. They will Explore, Taste the Pond, Take a Splashy Bath.. Once they Start to Preen.. that is a Good Sign.. Preening is a Social Behavior.. = Acceptance.
Place their Food Station in a Location EASY to Find.. You can move it once they know Food is Available..
Swans are Grazers.. Having Food Available Morning to Sunset lets them Eat at Leisure.
NOTE: If a Swan tries to Eat TOO Fast.. the Dry Feed may get STUCK in their Esophagus and Block Swallowing. Forming a Condition called CHOKE. This could be an Emergency…
Always Supply Water with DRY Feed Mixtures.
IF you want to Discourage Predators.. take the Feed in at Night. You will have Fewer Problems with Rodents..which carry Diseases in their Waste and Saliva.
Small Night Rodents may Attract the Larger Predators.. Think of the Food Chain from Mice to a Coyote-Coywolf. AN Increasing Problem.
WATCH your New Swans/Cygnets Closely for Several days until they Establish a New Routine.
When Swans are Easily Visible or Accessible along a Traveled Road, they are Vulnerable.
The Swans in the Above Images.. More then One did not Survive the Traffic.
Swans Draw Attention.. Socialized Swans are Vulnerable. Some People want to see these Beautiful Birds.. Photograph them.. Some will do Mischief..
If People NOTICE Swans are Nesting.. Sigh !! Goofy People may/will do Goofy Things.
QUICK RETREAT OPENINGs to the Water. The Safest Place for a Swan is on their Pond or Lake. They Enjoy Sitting out in the Sun and Grazing on Tender Grass is GOOD for them.
It is a VERY Good Idea to have Several Openings in the Plants that Encircle a Pond, so the Swans can Quickly Scoot Back if they feel Threatened.. Whether by an Animal or a Strange Person..
******
If the Opening is about 2 Feet Wide and Fans OUT > > that Works.. The Swans can Look Out from the Pond for any Danger.. The Fanned Out Shape lets them See more before Leaving the Water.
You will OFTEN See your Swans Checking for Danger.. Looking Left – Then Right !
> > > Check the Swans are on the Pond at SunSet and SunRise. Swans are Safest over Deep Water at least 4 Feet Deep.. They will Float Quietly ALL Night. VERY Light Sleepers..
YEAH ! They were OK through another Long, Dark Night.
GENERAL YUCKs****************************************************
One Thing You will Learn VERY Quickly.. Wear Clothing, Shoes, Boots that are Washable.. Swans are Beautiful, White, Graceful.. and Messy. THEY POOP.. and POOP a Lot..
Swans Live in WET Places.. where there is MUD ! AND, BUGs, Ticks, Mosquitoes.. Have Insect Repellent Handy.
You will observe the Swans Picking a Spot, maybe Two where they will Preen almost every Day. Feather Care is One of their Important Daily Activities.
These Spots will BECOME MESSY.. Lots of POOP.
All Swans should Moult once a Year.. FEATHERS – LOTs of Feathers !!! When we had Swans we cared for Daily.. I tried to Rake this Yuck UP Once or Twice a Week.. It IS Unattractive and will Attract Flies – YUCK !
We Generally do not Pet our Swans. Hand Feeding is Common during Visits.
Swans may Follow a Kind Person Working in the Area. They are all different, have different Levels of Trust with People.
A Few Swans do like to be Held, Stroked. If you are Petting your Swan.. BE SURE to Wash your Hands VERY WELL.. Swans Look so CLEAN and WHITE.. BUT, they Stand, Walk, Swim in Poop.. Swans are “Dirty Birds.”
We Never Determined what “Harry” got into that he was So Dirty… ! !
SWANs have A WILD SIDE******************************************
Having Captive Swans, we are always dealing with their Wild Side. We try to keep them in a Safe Environment, provide for all their Needs. But, some Swans have a strong Desire to make their own Decisions.
“Harmony” lived most of her Life Feral-Wild. For a Short Time we tried to Adapt her to Life on Private Property. She Chose to Leave this Safety.. which Ended in her being Shot November 2009.
Swans do not Respond to us the Way a Dog or Cat will.. Swans are not Snuggly Pets.
Swans are a Little Captive-Domestic and a Little Wild..
Pinioned – Captive Swans are Pets. Swans do have some HardWired Wild Instincts. There are some in most Domesticated Animals.. But, Waterfowl are not as easy to Control .. We Try.
Swans are a Challenge for Everyone, trying to Harness their Wild Instincts. It has been Interesting, Relaxing, Exciting, FRUSTRATING and we are Always Trouble Shooting.
As you Chat with and Get Information and Ideas from other Swans Folks.. Really Think about the Information. Digest it.. Store it.. Refer to it.. Look at the BIG Picture. We ALL have Different Experiences..
All Swans have Very Different Personalities, That Change when Living Alone or with a Companion.. and with their Annual Reproductive Behaviors.
Swans are Individuals in their Behavior – Adaptability. You will often Notice them being Curious while you are Busy. They are Watching, Thinking and Learning.
Swans are Smart.. They have Very Good Memories.. Cygnets Start to Learn before they are Out of their Eggs.
We have Observed them Learning.. Work Out Problems.. Understand Things we were doing after Given them some Time to Think about it..
Much like a Three Year Old.. Swans Teach each Other. And We Learn from them..
Swans that Interact with People, Learn and are Smarter.. then Swans that have Little Human Interaction..
Swans as a Whole.. are Intelligent along a Bell Curve.. Some Swans are Very Smart.. Lots of Personality.. Some Swans.. Well, they Survive and are Lovable.
Some Swans seem to Respond to their Names. Others .. No.. just the Sound of a their CareGiver’s Voice. They understand the Tone in Voices..
Swans are Very Visual.. They have a WIDE Field of View.
Swans Incorporate their Past Experiences as they Go about their Days.
Swans are Creatures of Habit.. They Develop a Routine..
> > > Swans DO NOT Understand Future.. You can not Explain what might Happen in a Few Days.
We are Learning all the Time that Swans have a Mind of their Own. Domesticating these Beautiful Waterfowl to Enjoy and keeping them Healthy and as Safe as Possible is a Challenge.
Having One or TWO Large Fishing Nets are VERY Helpful. Wal-Mart Sporting Goods.. have a GREAT Value.. See Images. Most Sporting Goods Stores have Sale on Nets.. An Assortment of Sizes are Helpful.
I Can NOT Imagine People with Swans NOT having Large Nets.
******
If you ever Need to Catch/Handle a Mute Swan…. Once you have “Gentle” Control of their Neck, you have Control of the Swan. It is Surprising how Quickly Most Mute Swans Calm Down..
NOT Trumpeter Swans.. they keep Struggling..
Talk to the Swan Calmly-Softly…. You can place your Feet on Both Sides of their Wings for Extra Control.. BE CARE NOT to STEP ON the Swan’s FEET !
DO NOT RESTRICT “HUG” their Ribs… Swans DO NOT have a Diaphragm and Can NOT Breathe if they CAN NOT Expand their Ribs. They must be able to Breathe or they WILL Struggle.
If you Carry a Swan…. Hold just below the Neck and in Front of their Hips, TRY to Control their Feet.
Yes, Swans will be Weary if you have Caught them.. Many will AVOID you for a While. It may take a while, but you will ReGain Trust.. They understand Patience and Kindness. And a Non-Threatening Routine.
Splashing and Chase Running over the Water is usually Playful Behavior. Swans need to Exercise their Wing Muscles.
Swans which are unable to Fly have a greatly Reduced Cardiac Stress Capacity….. They may Suffer with STRESS more quickly…
NEVER STRESS a Pinioned Swan for more then a Few Minutes. Give them Time to Calm and Relax. Swans Can DIE from TOO much Adrenalin Pumped through their Systems during a HIGH STRESS Activity. Example – When trying to Catch them.. TAKE CARE…
FEEDING Your SWANs***********************************************
Swans Nutritional Needs are Different from Ducks and Geese. Swans are Grazers – Ducks and Geese are Gobblers.
Swans need a Safe Appropriate Diet.. A Lower Protein Percentage. Discourage Bread, Crackers, PopCorn, Cookies.. Encourage LETTUCE – Salad Greens, Vegetables, Apples, etc.
It is Best to only allow Friends or Visitors to Feed Swans Food Items you say are OK.. Plain Cereals are Nice Treats …like Kix, Whole Grain Cheerio, Plain Corn & Bran Flakes.
Swans LOVE Lettuce. They will Eat all Types of Lettuce.. Tossing a Head of Iceberg out on the Pond is a Fun Activity for Swans. We call this “Let-Us-Play.”
In Early Spring as Pond Water Warms, typical in Mid-March.. there are Tender Plants Starting to Grow in the Lower Water Levels. The Swans Know. You will see them Up-Ending again.
IF there are Large Numbers of Fish, Carp, KOI.. in a Pond there may be Very Little for Waterfowl to Eat.. The Fish may EAT EVERYTHING that Grows..
Swans NEED Food Support in the Winter depending where you Live. There is almost Nothing in Northern States for Swans to Eat Naturally during the Winter. Most Pond and Lawn Plants go Dormant..
Insects and “Bugs” are Hibernating in some Form during the Cold Months, Waterfowl need more Calories each Day. Adult Swans need 700 more Calories each Day.
You do not want them to be Outside in the Cold-Hungry.. They need the Quick Energy of EXTRA Daily Calories to help them Stay Warm and Healthy.
I Generally tell People in Pennsylvania – Swans need TOTAL Feed Support from Halloween to St. Patrick’s Day.
We did our Best to Visit and Feed the Swans All Winter.
On Average by Mid-March the Swans will Start Up-Ending. In Mid-March Natural Plants will Start to Grow in Northern Ponds and Lakes. HAZARDs**********************************************************
LAWN Mowers.. I do not know WHY Mature Cobs DISLIKE LAWN Mowers so Much. This is a VERY Common Problem.
I Wonder if the Engine Creates a Painful Noise.. I have not Heard of ANY Female Swans Going after a Mower.. ??? Some Cobs will try to Attack any Machinery like Weed Whackers, Tractors, Generators, etc.
And Sadly, there have been Tragic Outcomes for Several Cobs Every Year.. Swans tend to get their Feet under the Mower Housing..
Most Pond Owners have Large Lawns to Mow.. so Riding Mowers are Common..more ZERO Turn Mowers. Do a Search for : ZERO Turn Mowers..
AND Cobs can MOVE so Quickly.. This is TOO Often a Tragic Combination.
******
One Suggestion when it is time to Mow is to PUT the Cob into a Protected Area, a Fenced Area, a Building, a Transport Carrier – in the Shade..
Or, it is a Pain, but One Person keeps the Cob Busy while the Mowing is being done near the Pond..
*************************************
Any Plant with Thorns can cause Foot Injuries.. Resulting in Painful Bumble Foot Sores..
These Infected Sores are Very Difficult to Treat.
If you have Roses or Plants or Weeds with Thorns.. Example: THISTLES Thorns may Puncture Feet and start a Painful Bumble Foot Sores.
The Thorny Thistle Plants (Weed) are a REAL Pain.. Literally ! Remove Thistles in Areas the Swans Walk Frequent. Be Careful when Cutting your Lawn..
Do NOT Cut Thistles and Scatter the Thorns, …Especially into the Water.. You DO NOT Want your Waterfowl to Swallow Sharp Thorns.
If Possible consider Removing any Plant that has Thorns.. OR at least keep any Broken Stems or Cuttings Picked up.
I am attaching One Image of a Swan’s Foot that Stepped on a Thorn.. Very Hard to Treat.. It was close to a Year before this Swan could Walk more then One or Two Steps without Sitting Down.. His Foot HURT !!
This Mature Cob.. Starved to Death.. His Sore Feet Prevented him Walking to the Feeder..
*************************
THE DRAIN PIPEs that Allow OverFlow Water to Leave your Pond.. If the Pipe Diameter is Large Enough for a Swan or Cygnet to put their Head in….. When there is Heavy Rain.. that Drains.. These Drain Pipes become a Suction Trap..
The Drain Pipe below is about 8 Inches in Diameter..
The Swans get STUCK – Suctioned IN and CAN NOT GET Back Out ! I have Learned of this Happening at Least THREE Times. SOME Type of Barrier Needs to be Placed over these Pipes for Prevent Tragedy..
It is Good to have some Brush and Twiggy Trees so the Swans will have Natural Material for Nesting. Ornament Grasses are Good for Nesting.
In Late Winter – Early Spring.. Courting – Mating begins. Mature Cobs have HORMONAL Driven Personalities That is a Seasonal Swings.. GIVE THEM SPACE !
During Mating, Nesting and Raising their Young, it is BEST to give the Swans Space and learn to Work Around and with them.. Be Understanding..
NEVER TURN YOUR BACK on a Hormonal Male Swan.
As Ground Nesting Birds, Nature Evolved the Cob to be Fierce During Nesting to Protect his Female, their Eggs and later their Young.
Some Cobs are Easier to Work with…. Some are “Bad-As–es” All Year Round.
ALL COBs are Different.. Protective Cobs are doing their JOB.. Their Tolerance to you and your Family is UNpredictable..
If you Keep your Distance – Give the Cob EXTRA SPACE… Everyone should be OK.. Good Time to Watch with Binoculars.
Socializing them, Gaining their Trust, Respecting their Space.. (-; Learn to Work With them.. Respect the “THE LINE.” ( Explained on other Pages )
Do not take your Dogs to the Ponds until you know how the Cobs will behave. Or if your Dog just Barks at the Swans.
During “Hormone Season” Keep Small Children at a Distance.. WARN Visitors..
The Peaceful and Calm Cob in the Summer can be A REALLY SCARY BIRD during Mating and Nesting Time.
During the Winter Months most Male Swans are Hormonal. From December to May, the Cobs will be VERY Protective of their Water Environments.
DO Not Wear White during these Months.. Earthtones are less Agitating.. Male Swan see ANYTHING White as a Territorial Threat.. and will REACT ! !
Most Mute Swans are OK with Ducks.. Wild and Domestics Many Swans will Chase Wild Geese.. Not sure about Resident Domestic Geese..
Chasing Wild Canada Geese is good for a Captive Swan’s Cardiac Health. Since Pinioned or Clipped Captive Swans can not Fly.. Swans Benefit from this Exercise..
Hissing is a Threat… It is Just Noise.. “You are TOO Close” !!
Swans will “Threaten” by “Busking” across the Water…
Swimming VERY FAST – PUSHING WATER, even Flying Short Distances…. toward Anyone or Anything they want to CHASE AWAY ! !
A Swans MAIN Defense – Attack is to Flog with their BIG STRONG WINGs ! !
Swans need Both Wings to “FLOG.” This is a RAPID, Hard Whipping Action, which HITS around a Person’s Knees most of the Time.. IT DOES HURT!!! I have had my Share of Bruises.
Swans may Charge and Head Butt….and it may looks like they are Trying to BITE…. Swans DO NOT have TEETH ! They have Very Little “Bite Pressure.” Basically a Pinch ! The Curved Nail at the End of the Upper Mandible can Pinch Skin.
Checking for Anemia is Simple.. Gently OPEN the Swan’s Beak.. Look at Tongue Color. Their Tongue SHOULD be a Baby Pink.
If you need to go near the Swans and you are unsure of how they may Behave… Carry a Broom or a Pole-Fan Rake with a Soft Pillow-like End.. Stay Calm.. Prevent the Swan getting Close to you..
DO NOT SWING OR HIT A SWAN.. It is NOT Necessary to HURT them !!! They are generally so Surprised to be Stopped….Stay in Control. They will Back Away. THEN YOU Back Away..
Swans will become more Protective/Threatening as their Nest Matures… It will be Best to Keep a Good Distance from the Nest. This Trust TAKE Time..
As I hear from Swan Folks ALL over the Country.. I Hear Different Winter Plans. Each Person needs to be Comfortable with what they Plan and Do for their Swans.. All Swans are Different, Only a Few Mute Swans will Willingly go into a Shelter.. Most Swans Instinctively Fear being Trapped..
DO NOT GIVE SWANS HOT WATER from a Water Heater TO DRINK.. This Heated Water many Contain Dissolved Heavy Metals.
I am Putting this in… Just in Case you Every Need to Wash you Swans.. Only Wash the Area that is Dirty-Bloody.. Not the Entire Swans with Soap ! You DO NOT Want to Remove the Swan’s WaterProofing ! Dawn Dish Soap has been Change.. It SMELLS Terrible.. Try to Use a Liquid Soap that is Fragrance and Dye Free..
Have a Plan in Mind for a Bitter Cold Spells.. If your Pond or Lake DOES NOT Freeze – Yeah!
If the Swans are Frozen out of their Pond or Lake.. they are Subject to the Air Temperature.. and PREDATORS..
Swans will be Reasonably Safe in a Round-ish Area of Liquid Water 20 -25 Foot in Diameter, over Water that is at least 4 Feet Deep..
There are Inexpensive ways to keep Pond Water Open.. IF THERE is Electric available by the Pond.
I have Several Topic Pages about Keeping a “Winter Wake.” There are Topic Pages with Basic Information about the various Types of Aerators and DeIcing Equipment..
I am going to Stop Here.. I am Rambling.. It is Easy to just Keep Adding Info.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
There are Joys and Sorrows when You Love and Care for Swans.
There are No 100% Rules with Swans.. Except that they are 100% Beautiful, Enchanting, Magical.
WELCOME to the Wonderful World of Swans ! (-;
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Basic Working with Swans is a Summary – August 2025 More Notes will be Added as I think of Things. – PA SwanLover Linda &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Having these Swan Adventures has Helped to Fill the Void in my Life when I had to Stop Working due to Physical Disfunction of my Own.
August 22nd, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in SWANs-SAME SEX Mute Female Pairs - (Comments Off on SAME SEX FEMALE MUTE SWAN PAIRings)
Learn BASIC Information about Female Mute Swan Pairings.
IF you are Interested in having Two Females.. The Topic Page Links on this Page will have Information to Help you Care for TWO Female Swans..
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
Mature Female Swans are Called Pens.
HAVING TWO SWAN Pens as a Pair.. has Pros & Cons.
Two Female Swans do NOT Need to be Related..
They can be Different Ages.. from Different Parents.
Six to 12 Month Female Cygnets will be Friends/Companions..
Pens are Graceful, Charming, more Even Tempered. Pens are not as Showy as Cobs.
Most of the Year Pens will be Friends/Companions.. There will a Dominant and a Submissive Pen.. One will Likely Behave more like a Male Swan..
You may Witness Mating Behavior. >>> NORMAL This is a Common Behavior with Same Sex Mute Swan Pairings. Below are Two Female Swans. DNA Checked.
There is Less Risk of Pens Attacking People in Public Places. But in Return Pens are more Often Abused by Callous People.
With Two Pens, there is NO “HORMONE” Drama in the Spring. And No Cygnets to Deal with. Cygnets are Cute, but Work..
This is the BIG Concern – Two Pens are VERY Vulnerable during Nesting.
Without a Cob to Protect them Nest Mortality is Higher. It will be Your Challenge to Protect them.
Two Females do Better when there is an Isolated Island for their Spring Nesting..
Remember Raccoons will Swim Out to an Island to Steal Swan EGGs. The Pens below were Nesting on an Island – Lost MOST of their EGGs !
Or it may be Necessary to Put up a Section of Fence to Protect them.
If you put up some Protective Fencing around their Nest.. Be sure the Pens can Safely go into the Water Several Times a Day. Pens Leave their Nest for Very Short Breaks to get a Drink and Relieve themselves. They BARELY Eat while Nesting. Swans DO NOT Release Body Waste into their Nest.
Or Consider a Floating Nest Platform.. An Artificial Island. The Floating Platform Below is Anchored Out from the Bank.
Most Swan Pens Need to Nest in the Spring.. With or Without a Cob – MOST Mature Pens will Lay EGGs. Normally a Cob Protects the EGGs until the Clutch is Complete.
I have Learned of Mature Mute Swans that do not Nest or Lay EGGs. ???? Two of the Three Pens below did NOT Lay EGGs.
Pens will Nest Together or Separately. NO Rules.. Every Spring will be Different.. The Pens Decide.. (-;
Nest Building takes One to Two Weeks.. Pens General Pull Together Cavity Nests.
You could Provide the Pens with a Pile of Twigs Arranged in a Loose Circle… Many will Accept and Add to a Partial Gathered Nest.. Better Drainage.. Pens Like to have One Solid Surface Behind them.. A Wall, Fence, Large Tree, etc.
Heavy Rain Surrounded the Nest Below.. Note how Swampy. Having a Base of Twigs kept the Nest Cavity and EGGs Dry.
You CAN NOT Remove the Swans’ EGGs to Prevent Cygnets ! !
Pens will Recycle and Lay another Clutch of Unfertile EGGs.
They will Keep Laying EGGs Until they have a Clutch to “Sit On” and Deplete they Body.
Each Pen will Need to be Able to “SIT” for 42 Days.. Various Events may Prevent this.. Loss of EGGS: to Flooding, Cold ( Freezing ), Unfertile Rotting >> Exploding EGGs ! ! ! Stolen Eggs, Harassement, Afraid of Nest Area..
You will Need to be Prepared to Minimize these Events. Or your Pens will Likely ReCycle and Start another Clutch. That will Extend the Female’s Risky Nesting Season.
We had One BIG Healthy Pen that Laid at Least 19 EGGs One Spring. She Lost Two Clutches of EGGs to Flooding along a Local Creek.. She Surprised us with a THIRD Clutch of 4 EGGs.. She Hatched 3 Precious Cygnets.
First Clutch.. 8 EGGs ( I think ) Second Clutch 7 EGGs.. Both Lost to Flooding. Below is the THIRD Clutch of 4 BIG EGGs !
This Extended her Nesting Season into Warmer and Warmer Weather. After Weeks “Sitting” in the Heat.. her Cygnets Hatched July 14-15th.
The Pens below had to be Moved during Nesting.. ( Emergency Move. ) We did Try to MOVE their Nest Cavities and EGGs.. NOT Accepted. They Both Recycled and Laid a Second Clutch – Nesting into Late June Heat.
The Tricky Part of TWO Females is that they WILL NOT Nest at the Same Exact Time. You will Need to take Careful Notes WHEN each Starts to “SIT.”
Pens MUST be Allowed to “Sit” on their Unfertile EGGs for 42 Days. The Pens may “Choose” to Leave on their Own.. Some Do.
Normal Incubation Time for Fertile Mute Swan EGGs is 37 Days. Once the Pens Start Incubation – “Sitting” Full-Time.. Mark the Calendar, Count ahead 42 Days..
Pens are VERY Dedicated to their EGGs and will “Sit” Tight on EGGs that will Never Hatch.
Many Pens will Protect their EGGs with their Lives.
Pens are Sorta Aggressive-Protective during Nesting.. They will Hiss and Flog if you get TOO Close to their Nest.
This does Depend on your Level of Trust with them.
Pens DO NOT Eat more then a few Bites of Food during their Incubation Time.
Nature wants the Pens to be VERY Hungry once their Cygnets Hatch. Then they EAT and EAT and EAT.. for 2 to 3 Weeks.
It is NOT OK to just Allow these Pens to Sit and Sit and Sit..
Some Pens will Starve to Death Waiting for their Unfertile EGGs to Hatch. The Beautiful Pen below was Allow to “Sit” for Months.. she Died.
After 42 Days, TAKE all the EGGs Away and Discard.. Do this Carefully, SMELLY EGGs may EXPLODE !!
The Pens will likely stay with their Empty Nest for another Day.. then Leave the Nest and Start to EAT !!! ******
******
The Average Mature Mute Pen might Weigh 22-28 Pounds.
For about Three Weeks before Pens Start to Lay their Spring EGGs.. You will Observe them EATING – EATing – Eating !
Poking into Soft Muddy Areas of Shallow Water for the Nutrients they need for their BIG EGGs. They are Eating Insect Larve for Protein and Calcium.
In Early Spring Pens Lay One EGG every other Day. A Clutch of 6 EGGs takes 11 Days.
Pens DO NOT “Sit” on their Clutch until ALL EGGs are Laid.
With a Pen – Cob Pair… the Cob Protects their EGGs.
Pens are out EATING.. EGGs may be Lightly Covered.
Pens may Sit on the Nest for a Few Minutes if they think their EGGs need to be Protected..
The Pen below was Guarding her EGGs when I went to Check them. She had One more to Lay to Complete her Clutch of 7 EGGs.
The Pen’s Body Provides All the Calcium and Proteins for their BIG EGGs.. 6 EGGs at 14 Ozs. each = 5.25 Pounds. 8 EGGs at 14 Ozs. each = 7.00 Pounds.
Pens Barely Eat during Incubation. This is Nature’s Plan !
Once the Pen starts to “Sit” Full-Time.. Incubation Begins. Pens NEED to Sit on their Unfertile EGGs at least 42 Days.
Once the Pens START to SIT Full-Time. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE Food Near the Nest.. THIS Creates RISK ! This Invites Insects, Rodents, Snakes and Larger Predators.
With Two Nesting Females I Suggest making at Least 6-8 EGGs.. Using 3 at a Time. Some EGGs may be Stolen.. so Extras are GOOD to have.
Wooden Replacement EGGs – do not Smell like EGGs and are Less Attractive to Predators.. AND NO FLIES.. !!!!
IF you have ANY QUESTIONs – Let me know.. We do this with our Swans.. Replacement EGGs.
Some Pens will Leave the Nest on their Own.. They seem to Know that their EGGs will Not Hatch. Or the SMELL may be Too Much..
Above we went on Day 42 to Encourage “Brooke” to Leave her Nest. She was Out on the Pond. She Left the UnHatched EGGs on her Own. Every Year has been Different. Most Years we have had to Remove her EGGs.
Notes Organized from our Visits with Various Mute Swan Pens.. Several of the Nesting Swan Images were from Male/Female Pairs. I Used these Images as Examples to Show a Pen’s Nesting Behavior.
As With MANY General Swan Facts.. There are NO 100% Rules.
August 14th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in SWANs-SAME SEX Mute Male Pairs - (Comments Off on SAME SEX MALE MUTE SWAN PAIRings)
Learn BASIC Information about Male Mute Swan Pairings.
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
Before you Decide to get Mute Swans you should think about whether you want Cygnets or Not.. Basic BackYard Breeding..
There are Male-Female Swan Pairings.. And Same Sex Mute Swan Pairings.
Two Male Swans or Two Female Swans will NOT Produce Young.
There are Pros and Cons to Both Same Sex Swan Pairings.. Males Swans are Called Cobs – Females Swans are Called Pens.
As I have been Working on this Topic.. MY Goal is: To Share want I have Learned, Observed and Others have Shared. So you have Information to Make the Best Choice for Your Pond.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
For Male Mute Swan Same Sex Pairs TWO MALE NESTMATES Work the Best.
If You are Interested in Swans because you have a PROBLEM with Canada Geese.. Two Mute Males are a Good Choice.
All Swans Naturally Eat Lots of Plants from Ponds and Lakes. This Helps to Control Excess Plant Growth..
Duckweed, many Algae are Natural Foods for Waterfowl. If you Want to Avoid Chemical or Shade Treatments, Swans may be a Part of your Plant Control Program.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
There are NO 100% Rules of Behavior with any Swan Pairings. ALL Swans have Different Personalities..
My Husband has a Comment I will “Quote”… “Swans are Predictably Unpredictable.”
The Image Below made me Laugh.. It is March and the Canada Geese are HERE !
There are Some Predictable Mute Swan Behaviors. They Need Understanding and Patience During their Seasonal Behavior Swings..
Mute Swan Cobs tend to have BIG Personalities. They are more Showy when their Wings are held in Display..
IT is VERY Important that the TWO MALEs be NestMates… Meaning the Two Males Hatched in the Same Nest Brood. This Results in “Brood Imprinting” when they First Hatch..
Two Mute Cobs that are >> NestMates << will Usually be able to Live Together for their Common Life >> 25-30 Years, 85-90% of the Time, as Long as NO Female Swan is Introduced..
Two Male Swans *NestMates – NO Females = No Cygnets.. They Do NOT get as Hormonal as Cobs Protecting a Nesting Pen.
I have had a Chance over the Years to Interact with an Increasing Number of Male Mute Swan Pairings.. *NestMate Work the Best.. ONLY TWO Cobs..
There are Less Raging Male Hormones in the Spring.
Mature Cobs will Protect and may Chase People Away from their Water Areas during the Spring. GIVE them Space and Understanding.
ALL Male Swans have an Annual Increase of their Reproductive Hormones.. This is Out of their Control.
DO NOT WEAR ANY WHITE near the Pond or Lake in the Winter-Spring Months.. WHITE is a Trigger for Male Swans to Protect and Defend..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Three or More Mature Male Mute Swans is a BIG NO-No-no..!!! Will NOT Work. It does NOT Matter how Large the Body of Water.
It is Due to the “Pecking Order” when there are more then Two Male Swans. There will Eventually be a Problem with a Dominant Bully Cob and the Submissive Cob at the Bottom of the “Pecking Order.”
With Multiple Males, it is Likely more then One will Pick on the Most Submissive Male.
The Submissive Male will not be Allowed to Eat.. Likely Chased off the Pond.. which is not Safe a Night.
A Submissive Cob is at Risk of getting Hurt or Killed. A Submissive Male is Helpless.. A Pinioned Male may Walk Away. Unless able to Fly Away.. to a VERY UNCertain Fate..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Every Summer, I have Arranged Two Male Mute Cygnet Pairs for Several People.
Male Swan Pairings are Good for Golf Courses, Community Ponds, Hotels, Public Parks and for Folks not Interested in Cygnets.
Cygnets are Cute ! …. but Cygnets are Work. With Two Male Swans there are No Cygnets to Worry with..
Two Cobs are LESS Problem with the General Public Visitors..
Nesting Swans are an Attraction – People want to get Close. ( We DID ! )
If there are CYGNETs.. Folks want to Photograph them. ( We DID ! )
The General Public are NOT Familiar with an AGGRESSIVE Swan Cob. These Folks are at Risk of being Chased, even Flogged..
With Two Males – No Fussing with Cygnets – No Nesting Drama. Less Aggressive Behavior. – Just Swans to Enjoy..
******
With Two Males you Need to Warn your Family and Guests in the Spring Months to Keep their Distance.
Cobs may Gather and Build a Nest or Nests.. Sit on it.. Male Swans will Generally not Defend a Nest with NO Eggs..
******
They are NOT as Vulnerable as Nesting Females. Male Swans are less likely to have a Predator Attack.
The Male Swans are more Likely to Sleep in the Water where they are Safer.. Which will Hopefully mean LESS Nesting Trauma..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
THIS is the ONLY EXCEPTION: ( BACK GROUND INFORMATION ) In the Wild, Young Cygnets and Juveniles Naturally Form a “Juvenile Group” when they Leave their Family Unit.
The Six Month Old Male Cygnets in these Images are from Two Different Broods. TWO Male NestMate Pairs. These Cygnets Joined Together in Minutes. We Put them Together for ONE WINTER Until a Lake was Ready for Two of the NestMates.
The Juvenile Groups Provide Comradeship and “Safety of Numbers.” In the Wild there will also be Young Females in these Groups.
As the Juveniles Mature it will be TIME for them to Form Pairs and Leave the Group to find their Own Territory.
With Multiple Males, it is Likely more then One will Pick on the Most Submissive Male. One of the Young Males Below is Showing Submissive Behavior. All these Blended Male Cygnets were Fine for this ONE Winter Together.
Multiple Young Male Cygnets might Live together Peacefully From 6 Months – Until ca. 24 Months Old. ( NO Parents or FEMALEs ) Then New Arrangements will Need to be Made for Some of them.
It is the “Pecking Order” when there are more then Two Male Swans. There will Eventually be a Problem with a Dominant Bully Cob and the Submissive Cob at the Bottom of the “Pecking Order.”
In the Early Spring, when these Young Males were just 12 Months Old.. Two NestMates with RED Leg Bands were Moved to their New Home.
The Male Pairs were Color Banded to Keep the NestMates Together.
The Submissive Male will not be Allowed to Eat.. Likely Chased off the Pond.. which is not Safe a Night.
I have seen how Several Mute Males in their “Hormone Hell” Stage CAN Go After a Weaker Male.. It was NOT Good.
A Submissive Cob is at Risk of getting Hurt or Killed. A Submissive Male is Helpless.. Unless able to Fly Away.. A Pinioned Male may Walk Away to a VERY UNCertain Fate..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
THE MAIN BENEFIT – JOB of Two Mute Cobs in Early Spring-Summer.
For Folks that have a BIG Problem with Canada Geese. Those TIRED of their NOISE and Poop-DIRT
If Canada Goose Control is your Main Reason for Seeking Swans..
I Suggest a Same Sex Male Mute Swan Pair. Most Mute Cobs DO HELP with the Pesky Canada Geese..
It DOES NOT Help when we Feed the Geese.
During Jan to late March-April Most Mature Cobs will be “Testy.” It is their Elevated Hormonal Season.. This may last for 6-12 Weeks in varying Degrees..
The Elevated Spring Reproductive Hormones are what Causes Swan Cobs to CHASE Canada Geese off your Pond or Lake.
Two Mute Cobs Generally Chase Migrating Geese off “THEIR” Water. It is Good Exercise for Flightless Swans to CHASE Canada Geese..
******
******
Especially, during Migration Season. “NO NEW-Comers are Welcome to their Territory ! “
Canada Geese Goslings that Hatch on your Property will Imprint to Your Property. These Canada Geese will Want to Return Year after Year.
You can Help by Learning How to Discourage the Geese Nesting on your Property..
If young Swans Grow-up with Several Resident Canada Geese.. these may be Well Tolerated..
While this Young Male was Living Alone, A Pair of Resident Canada Geese were his Best Feathered Friends.
Most Mute Swans are Tolerant-OK with Domestic and Wild Ducks..
Most Mute Swans will Live Peacefully with Domestic Waterfowl.
Without a Pen to Stimulate their Reproductive Hormones, these Same Sex Cobs are Less AGGRESSIVE..
There Tends to be more Peaceful Months of the Year, when you can just Enjoy these Stunning Swans..
It is the Migrating Flocks that will Cause most Mute Swans to Charge into Action..
Their Territorial Behavior is like a Bell Curve..
The Natural Reproductive Hormones of Swan Cobs Start to Increase in Late December, Peak January through April and are Declining by May..
Some will Start to Chase while Young Juveniles.
Some will Need to Mature a Bit to do the Job..
Most Male Swans ( once 2-3 Years Old ) will be Helpful Controlling Canada Geese on a Pond or Lake.
The Young Males below would NOT Allow ANY Canada Geese on their Pond ! Good Job Boys !
The Number of Canada Geese can make a Difference.. TOO Many and the Swans may be Overwhelmed..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
NO Matter what Combination of Swans, there will Always be a “Pecking Order.”
One Swan will be Dominant and One will have to be the Submissive One.
******
Two Cobs “MIGHT/Will ” have a Few Weeks of being Testy with Each Other. They usually Work Out how to Co-Exist. Most Stay BEST BUDS.. One Time you See them there is a Chase Happening..
Then 30 Minutes Later they are Chest to Chest – Head Turning, Expressing that they Like Each Other..
If Cobs Start Aggressive Behavior toward Each Other… What I would Suggest.. Keep a Close Watch ! !
Do Your BEST NOT to Allow Either to be Hurt – This Behavior will Subside.. Try to Distract them.. to Stop Unwanted Behavior. Toss Small Treats onto the Water.. Plain Cereals.
The Same Cobs ONE Month Later. They are Getting Along MUCH Better.
The Cobs may need a Second Feeding Station for a While..
Most Important – YOU STAY Safe… ! ! Do NOT get into or onto the Pond or Lake with them ! ! They will be VERY Protective of >THEIR < Water..
The Male Swans that Followed you around as you did Yard Work last Summer.. MIGHT Surprise you with a “WING WHACK” Attack.
I have Swan Folks Tell their Tales of that FIRST Time their Gentle Cob.. …Hit them ! ( OUCH ! ) Be Aware !
“NEVER Turn Your Back on a Hormonal Male Swan”.. Always Know where they are… !
Never HIT the Swans .. ! ! Their Bones are NOT as Strong as a Mammal’s Bones. A Swan’s Bones may Fracture with Sudden Blunt Pressure.
JUST KEEP THEM AWAY.. Keep a Barrier BETWEEN You..
Keep Something with YOU.. to keep them from Coming at You.. We use a “Homemade” Repelling Tool.. OR a Large Polyvinyl Trash Container..
Swan Cobs are Strong.. So BE Prepared to Brace yourself.. !
If you See a Cob Swimming Fast, Pushing Water – Wings UP.. It is Time to MOVE Out of the Way.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
This is My Feeling, Not something I know for sure… Like People and Kids, Cats, Dogs, etc..
During a Given Year the Swan Cobs Hormones may be at Different Levels.. One may have more Elevated Hormones then the Other.
I hear from Folks with Two Males.. Some Years they are Perfectly OK.. Maybe Spending Time Apart. But, NO Fussing or Fighting..
Then the Next Year.. There are Periods for Noticeable Discontent..
*****************************
There is “Play Chasing.” You NEED to Learn the Difference. Young Swans like to Chase each Other.. “Silly Fun”
Since Pinioned Swans will NEVER get to Fly.. the Chasing is Good for their Heart Development. BUT, Aggression.. Hurting each other is NOT Good..
Every Swan Pair will vary. Every Year will be Different. Your Role at this Time will be to Help them if Necessary, by keeping them from Getting Hurt until their Hormones Decline.
Most Important is for Both Cobs to be SAFE at Night. Try to Encourage BOTH to be on the Pond at SunSet.
If Needed, do you have a Place you could put One at Night ? ? Inside a Secure Shelter.. WITH a Door.. if Needed ? ?
I have had to Assist Folks with NestMates Cobs ReHome One..
UnRelated Males – Yes, I have Helped to Rehome Several.. These were Mostly when the Males were Mis-Sexed. And People Realized they have TWO Males..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A Behavior Common to Same Sex Swan Pairings: Male or Female Pairs may “Mate” with Each Other.. They are Releasing their Sexual Tension.
You will see the Swans Swimming Side by Side, Go through the Mating Act.. in a Non-Aggressive Act. They will Do the Rising Up.. and Bathe Afterwards.
You want to Know what is OK and what is NOT… The Mating between Males might be OK.. Mating will be Brief.. and they will Bathe afterward.. and Preen…
OR One Male may GET on the Back of the other Male to Drown him.. This is an AGGRESSIVE ATTACK.. >> IS SERIOUS.
Do a Search for Mute Swan Cobs Fighting !! Understand what you are Looking for..
This Dangerous Behavior is to BE STOPPED As SOON As POSSIBLE !
I have NO Examples.. because when we Saw this Behavior.. we were Moving to Stop IT !!!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
ONE VERY BIG IMPORTANT FACT for you to Know..
If Something Happens to One “Brother” of a Male Swan Pairing.. If One Dies for whatever Reason.. or is Lost.. Wanders Away. OR One Cob Needs to be Moved to a New Home..
You CAN NOT Introduce Another Male.. It will NOT Work.
I know of several Situation where Males were put together when Older.. OH MY, that REALLY does not Work. “Feathers FLY…”
The Remaining Cob will only Accept a Female/Pen as a Companion/Mate..
Your Options are:
Allow the Remaining Male Swan to Live Alone. Consider some Fancy Ducks for Company.. A Lone Male Swan will Adjust, ESPecially when there are Lots of Humans to Interact with.. They Benefit from Extra Social Company.
You Could Decide to Introduce a Female and have a Brood Pair.. See NOTE: Below about Young Females….
If you Still do NOT want Cygnets.. Eggs can be Spoiled.. The Swans will Mate, Build a Nest, have Eggs.. There will be the Basic Nesting Drama which will End when Nesting is Over.. NO Cygnets to Deal with..
Swan Cygnets are Delightful – a Fun Experience.. AND Work ! But, that is another Topic Page..
BASICALLY: To be a Responsible Swan Owner. Tiny Cygnets 1-21 Days need to be Pinioned. DNA-Checked around 12-16 Weeks Old…to Determine Sex and Rehomed-Adopted by 6 – 10 Months Old..
The Parents will NOT Tolerate their Growing Cygnets when they are Ready to Mate and Nest Again..
Last Option – Rehome the Remaining Cob.. And Start with Another Pair of Male NestMates.
RELATED Note: The Introduction of a Young Female should be Supervised with an Older Male.
A Younger Females may be Perceived as another Swan’s Cygnet. It MAY takes more Time for an Older Cob to Accept her.
You will Want to keep a Close Watch while the Cob gets to know a Young Female.
I have Arranged MANY 4 to 6 Month Females to be a New Companion/Mate for an Older Cob.. ( 4-20+ Years Old ) The Adjustments have been Minutes to Days to Weeks. There is NO Way to Predict..
A Juvenile Female, at Least 18-24 Months Old would be Ideal.. Finding a Juvenile or Older Female is a Matter of Luck. Mature Swan Pens Available for Adoption are Difficult to Locate.
Swans do not like being Alone, they are Social Creatures. Most Older “Bachelor Cobs” will Enjoying the Company of a “Sweet Young Thing” if Given a Chance.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Years Ago, I did some Reading.. I Read about Several Mute Swan Pairs that Lived Together for many Years.. There were Never any Cygnets.. No Eggs.. ??
NO One Suspecting they were Two Male Swans ? ?
And I ask Others with more Swan Knowledge then I had.. about their Thoughts and Experiences with Two Mute Cobs.
Before I started to Suggest Same Sex Male Pairings to Folks.. We Met and Observed Several Mute Male Pairings. Asked LOTs of Question of their Owners.
Some had been together 6-15-20 Years. These do Very Well for Golf Courses and Public Parks, Community Ponds-Lakes.. Camp Grounds, Bed & Breakfasts, Event and Wedding Venues. Any Place where the General Public will be Visitors..
From our Experience.. NestMate Males do Fairly Well Together 85-90% of the Time.
There are NO 100% Rules with Swans – Males or Females.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
For Private Owners, many Times having Two Cobs was an Accidental Pairing. Cygnets Acquired from the Same Adult Pair.. Not DNA Checked.
The Original Owner not Sexing the Cygnets in a Reliable Way. The Clue was that after 3-5 Years there were NO Cygnets.. Some Nests.. No Eggs..
Every Spring I get Calls to help Shuffle Mis-Matched Pairings.. We NEVER Guess.. Always DNA Check a Swan’s Sex.
*************************************************
Over the Years, we have had THREE DNA Determined Females.. RE-CHECKED to be Sure.. that Never Lay any Eggs.. Apparently, this does Occur.. According to an Avian Specialist.
The Sweet Swan above was DNA-Sex Checked Twice.. FEMALE. SHE Never Nested or Laid Eggs.
*************************************************
Some Unrelated Male Swans will Tolerate or be Best Friends with each other during the Non-Breeding Season..
BUT,,, Late December through Spring Mature Cobs will be Governed by their Increased Reproductive Hormones..
Mature Cobs can be “Testy” with each Other..to Down Right > FIGHTING.. Lots of Chasing.. Especially OFF the Pond.. so the One is Not Safe.. For the Submissive Cob it is often Hard to Eat from a Common Feed Station..
For a Time they are NOT Best Friends. A Lower Percentage of Unrelated Male Mute Swans will Live Together Peacefully..
I have Visited Several Black Australian Cobs.. that are Living Together – Seem to be Bonded.
Watching them during their Pre-Nesting Periods,. they seem to be more Tolerant of Each Other..
Watching the Black Australian Cobs Posturing is like Watching Flamingo Dancers.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
There have been NestMate Mute Male Pairs that needed for One to be ReHomed..
Working with Swans I have Learned, Nothing is 100% the Way we Expect or Plan.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
As I Gather my Notes and Thought for this Topic Page.. I Wanted to Share a few of the Male Pairings we Experienced..
Jotting down Notes from Photos and Memories.. the Examples are SO Varied.. It would take me Days.
Having Two Male Swans.. has maybe been Unplanned more often then they were Planned to be a Same Sex Pairing.
Almost Every Spring, I have Calls from Swan Folks that Realize they have TWO MALEs.
The Stories are Basically All the Same.. They Acquired Swans. One or Two from a Single Person, usually a Farmer.. who Said.. “This One is a Female.” She was Vent Checked.. ( UNRELIABLE )
I have HEARD.. “The Farmer Said…” Many Times..
The Common Stories: “Swans are Doing OK Together.. but, there are NO EGGs.” “In the Spring they are Fussing with Each Other, Not Mating.” We want Cygnets..
So, I have Arranged for “The Spring Swan Shuffle.”
There are as Many who Decide to Keep their Males.. as there are Folks who Rehome a Male and get a Female.
I Know Swan Ponds that have Two Males by Accident.. Folks who are Relieved to not be dealing with Cygnets.. Their Males are Keeping the Canada Geese Chased OFF.. The Swans are Doing OK.. and.. Well, Enough Said.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The One Mute Pair we kept in touch with, ( 2009-2016 ) that had the most Discord in Early Spring were not NestMates. They had 4-6 Weeks of One Chasing the other OFF the Pond..
The Larger Cob Built a HUGE Nest.. He “Sat” on the Nest.. There were Never any EGGs ! The Owner Never Saw his Swans Mating.. Frustrated.
I Said to him for Years.. “I Suspect you have Two Males.” “NO NO NO, They were Vent Checked Twice.. “
Insisting he had a Cob and Pen.. ( Both 6 Years Old ) He Complained that their Behavior made no Sense..
One Swan was BIG – Pinioned on the Left Wing. ( Male ) The Smaller Swan was Pinioned on the Right Wing..( Female ) ?
After Days or Weeks of “Swan Arguments”.. his Swans were a Lovely Pair on his Pond the Rest of the Year..
I had a Chance One Winter Day to Snatch Feathers from the Smaller Swan. DNA Result – MALE ! The Larger Swan had been DNA Checked before Purchase.
Once DNA Verified the Swans were Both Male, the Smaller Male was Rehomed and a Female Introduced.
Now the Man’s Brood Pair have Cygnets most Springs.. They are NOT Pinioned.. Not DNA Checked.. Most Left to Fly off or Perish.. Shame..
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
In Our Early Years of Learning about Swans.. Placing Young Males Less then 6 Months Old Together was Suggested as being an Acceptable Pairing.. I Heard this from Swan Folks Directly. And I found Notes online in a few Places..
I did Arrange One UnRelated Male Mute Cygnet Pairing.. They were 4-5 Months Old. ( 2013 ) I was Still Learning.
These Male Cygnets became the Best of Buddies within Days.. They Grew into BIG, BEAUTIFUL Cobs.. Full of Personality. Our Visits with them was a Favorite Swan Pond Stop.
These Young Males were Happy and Expressed their Fondness to Each Other Often.
The Spring these Cobs were Three Years Old, their Owner Mentioned that the Boys had been Squabbling.. It Lasted Several Weeks. She was Glad that had Passed..
The Following Year.. their Fuzzing, Chasing, Out & Out Fighting had become Worse. One Cob was NOT Allowed on the Pond for Weeks.. He was NOT Safe at Night.. A BIG Worry.
I Witnessed them Fighting during One Visit.. Heart-Sick.
The Submissive Cob become Aggressive toward Members of the Family.. His Behavior made Life Outside their Home Risky.
Finally the Family decided to have the One Cob ReHomed.. The Situation had become Intolerable.. It would be Best for All..
I Arranged a Great Home for the One Cob with an Older Female. The Cob became TOO Aggressive Living with the Older Pen. When the Pen Passed ( Old Age ), the Cob Settled Down.. Now he is Living Alone.. He is Much Loved and Doing Well..
The Five Year Old Cob that was Kept lived Alone for Several Months..
Then One Late Summer Day he Welcomed a Spunky Four Month Old Female..
Now the Family has a Breeding – Brood Pair of Mute Swans. They are Enjoying Cygnets and I have Helped with their Adoptions.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I am Very Aware.. By having All the Swan/Cygnet Data Notes that I have been Keeping Over the Past 17 Years or So.. That Nature has been LopSided with the Ratio of Male to Female Cygnets.. There are Generally More Male Cygnets..
The Brood below is an Extreme Example.. EIGHT Hatched.. ONLY One Female.
This was an Extreme Situations.. Normally there are a Few Females in a Large Brood.
Put this Together with the High Nest Mortality of Females.. It is VERY Common for the Owners of a Cob that Lost a Mate in the Spring to a Predator to be Seeking a New Female.. Many Mute Cobs have Two or Three Pens during their Life Time.
I have a LONG SEEKING FEMALE List All the Time.. There are Never Enough Females.
If there were NOT Homes for Two Male Swan Pairings.. I have NO Idea what People would do with ALL the EXTRA Males.
I have had Calls over the Years.. Reports that their Cobs are not Getting Along.. I keep Notes.. and I Seldom have these Folks Call a Second Time.. Each Year is Different.
**********************************************
I have Included Three Examples of Mute Swans Fighting.
If you do a SEARCH for Mute Swan Fighting.. there are Many Clips on YouTube. There are Some Clips Mis-Labeled Mute Swans “Mating.” There are Also MANY Photos on the Internet. As Beautiful as Swans are.. they have a Nasty Side.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A Final Side Note: There are a Few States that will Only Allow Male Mute Swans.. They DO NOT Want any Females that Lay Eggs/Hatch Cygnets.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I Hope I have NOT Forgotten Anything Important.. ASK Questions.. Feel Good about your Decision..
The Wonderful World of Swans … Is NEVER Boring.. And You will Never Stop Learning about them.. (-; PA SwanLover Linda M.Sweger – Organized August 2021
ALL Privately Owned Trumpeters Swans MUST be Registered with the: United States Department of Interior ( 413 ) 253-8643 Fish & Wildlife Service P.O.Box 779 Hadley, MA ( Mass ) 01035-0779
Black Australian Swans are Delightful.. Lots of “Chirps and Tweets.”
Black Australian Swans are Legal Exotic Domestic Poultry in All U.S. States. Black Australian Swans Nest TWICE a Year.. May Produce LOTs of Cygnets. There are Fewer Black Australian Swans in Captive BackYards. It is Trickier to Arrange Homes. It is GOOD to Get to Know Others with them.
We had One Visit with These Black-Necked South American Swans. No Experience with them Nesting.
Young UnRelated Swans will Pair-Bond as they Live Together..
As they Mature they will be Bonded for Mating-Nesting in the Spring.
During their Second Year/During the Winter A Young Mute Pair ca. 20 Months Old will Start Pair-Bonding.
The Young Females, ca. 20 Months Old are Receptive for Mating with Mature Cobs.
There are a Few Juvenile Females that will Successful Nesting when Just 22-24 Months Old.
Most Pens are Mature for Nesting by the Age of Three..
The Average Age that Mute Swans are Mature for their First Nesting is 32-36 Months.
Once Swans are Three Years Old, they are Generally Mature Enough to Mate, Build a Nest, Lay some Eggs and Raise Cygnets.
The First Year Swans Nest may have Mixed Results, the Swans are Learning,
More Eggs as the Healthy Pens Mature. ( 6-9 Eggs ) More Success Hatching Cygnets.
Living with the Parent Swans, some Cygnets will be Lost, to a variety of Nature’s Hazards.. Some will Survive and do Well.
You may Allow Cygnets to Hatch or the Eggs can be Spoiled.. There are Ways to Manage.. whether to have Cygnets or Not..
Maybe you want Cygnets Some Springs..
But Decide to NOT have them Other Years..
The Swans will NEED to Nest.. That Can NOT be Avoided.
During Nesting, the Eggs can be Oiled or Replaced.. to keep Cygnets from Hatching in a Given Year.. This is a Choice, to have Cygnets some Years.. No Cygnets some Years.
IF at ALL POSSIBLE – Arrange for UnRelated Swans. When you Adopt a Brother and Sister this will Reduce the Genetic Pool of their Cygnets.
Remember that Cygnets Acquired from the Same Parents, but Different Years.. are Still Brother and Sister..
The Mute Pair below are Related.. They are from Different Years. They have Common Parents from a Large Lake of Swans Allowed to In-Breed. Their Cygnets have been Healthy.. A Small Number of their Eggs do not Hatch.
The Female Swans below are SISTER ! One from 2017 – the Other from 2018- Same Parents.
Since we do not have Wild-Feral Mute Swans – but Mainly Captive Pets, there tends to be a Small Population of BackYard Swans. You need to Make an Effort to Arrange Unrelated Pairs.
The Feral Mute Swan Pair above and below were Destroyed.. We are Not Sure if Any of their Cygnets that Hatched Survived.
When there is Poor Diversity in the Gene Pool the Swans are Prone to Poor Nesting Result – Fewer Eggs Hatch – Cygnets with Birth Defects – Weaknesses – Failure to Thrive – Poor Immune Systems – Prone to Diseases.
The Young Cygnet below has Congential Cataracts. This is Inherited.
This Tiny Mute Cygnet Below was NOT Healthy when it Hatched.. Poor WaterProofing. This Little One would not Eat – Died. There were Two other Cygnets that were Healthy..
The Young Mute Male Below Seemed OK for his First 8 Weeks.. Then his Sluggish Behavior Suggested Something was Wrong.. One Afternoon he was Gasping for Air.. His Heart was Failing as he was Growing.
We were Unable to Determine if this Neck Deformity was Genetic or from an Injury. The Avian Pathologist that Evaluated him has seen these Neck Deformities Before. Commented that this Might begin while the Cygnets are Forming in the Eggs. “Maggie” was Vent-Sexed Female – During the Necropsy Identified as Male.
If you have a Nearby Neighbor who has Brood Swans on their Pond. It would be Good to get to Know them.
When you Both have Cygnets it is Good to be able to Arrange UnRelated Male-Female Cygnet Pairs..
This Young Pairing of Mute Swan Cygnets are from Two Different BackYard Ponds.
And, Both Broods will Need to be Pinioned about the Same Time.. and have their DNA Samples Collected at the Same Time.. So, you might have Other Hands to Help with these Projects.
This is a Lineage Chart of some of the Mute Swans we have Help Arrange Home for. It was Fun to Organize.. (-;
If you want a Male – Female Pairing.. But, NO Cygnets. Then.. having Siblings and Spoiling their Eggs is Reasonable. You will still have the Graceful Beauty of the Classic Swan Pair.
Cygnets are CUTE ! And Cygnets are Work.
It is Illegal to Allow Swan Cygnets to JUST Fly Away.
Their Fate is NOT to Live a Life Wild and Free.. They are DESTROYED !
All Cygnets should be Pinioned by 21 Days Old, so they are Grounded for Life.. Pinioned Cygnets will be Safer Domestic Pets for their New Owners. It is much Easier to Find them Homes.
DO NOT WEAR WHITE – Or Take White Object to the Pond Area !
****** ******
Male Swans – Cobs – Sires are Something.. They are Wonderful – FULL of Personality.. I LOVE them. ( BIG SMILE ! ) But, they NEED to be Understood with Respect and Patience..
As Ground Nesting Birds, the Swan Cob MUST be Fierce During the Nesting Season to Protect his Pen on their Nest.
A Mature Cob with a Pen starts his Increasing Hormonal Behavior Late December-Early January and Continues through Nesting.
The Cob will be more Protective of his Pen while she Eats.
When there are Younger Cygnets.. A Cob-Sire MAY be a Protective Mess for a Few more Weeks.. into Early June.
I have Loved our Experiences with Nesting Swans and their Cygnets with all their Extra Challenges..
Summer’s Surviving Cygnets should be DNA-Sex Determined in August-September.
At 12-16 Weeks, it is Time to Submit the Cygnets DNA Samples to Determine their Sex.
By Late August-September it is Time to Start to Arrange for New Homes.
Cygnets that are Pinioned and DNA Checked will Fetch a Higher Adoption Fee..
IT is WISE to have All Healthy Cygnets Rehomed by Thanksgiving. This Breeding Process will Repeat for 5-15 Years.. If your Adult Swans are Healthy, Happy and Safe..
Sold/Adopted to/Rehomed by Thanksgiving. ( 6-8 Months Old ) Most People are Busy from Thanksgiving through the New Year.. Moving Swans is NO Fun to do during Snowy-Icy Winter Months.
******
By 5 Months Old, Mute Cygnets are Feathered Out – Weigh between 12-20 Pounds. They are READY to Start a New Life on a Forever Pond.
Few Adult Swans will Tolerate their Growing Cygnets when it is Time for Mating and the Next Nesting Season.
Over Time – by ReHoming Healthy Cygnets to Others for an Adoption Fee.. Scaled by their Age.. You will Recover some of your Cost of Caring for Swans.. This is NOT a Money Making Hobby.. Cygnets will Eat ALL Profits.. They are Eating Machines as they Grow.
Early in January, the Reproductive Hormones of Mature Swans Start to Increase. You will see their Beaks Flush with Pinks.. Lots of Mating..
If you are Planning for Swans to be on a Pond or Lake with Multiple Family Homes..
I want you to Think about what it will be like to have a Breeding Pair of Mute Swans, Living on a Pond or Lake with other Property Owners..
Be Aware. Check with your HOA.. And/or your Neighbors. Not All Neighbors will be Understanding of the Annual Behavior Changes of a Breeding Pair of these BIG BIRDs.
A Swan Cob, that was Easy-going all Summer and Fall WILL become a Holy Unpredictable, Aggressive, Territorial Boss of the Pond or Lake and some of the Lawns around it.
During this Time all you can really do is…. GIVE the Cob SPACE AND LOTs of Understanding.
Any Person or Child or Dog that Steps Over the Cob’s “Line” will be Chased.. Challenged to STEP-Back ! > > > Possibly Attacked. Swans have very Little Bite Pressure.. but, they CAN FLOG !!! OUCH !!
It is about 50/50 once their Cygnets Hatch.. Some Cobs REMAIN in Protective Mode..
Some Cob-Sires Calm Down, once they know they can Scoot their Cygnets along the Water and L > e > a > v > e >> any Person they think might Harm their Family. Most Swan Families would rather Flee then Fight, if they can Swim away.
Most Male Cobs will be Easier to Live with from June to January. Calm-Controlled ( Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ) Unruly January to May.
A Reproductive Hormonal Cob is ALL Hormones – “Hormones with Wings.” They Can Take OVER an Area for 10-12 Weeks. You need to LEARN what is OK, Where his “LINE” is that you should not Cross.. Some Cob are Easier to Deal with. They are ALL Different..
I DO NOT like to Arrange a Breeding Pair for any Place where there are Frequent Visitors who are Unfamiliar with Swans.. Public Parks, Hotel – Condominiums, Golf Courses, College Campuses, etc.
A Hormonal Cob can be a Liability.. They can SCARE People.. Attack and Flog, if someone gets too Close.. ALWAYS Warn your Guests.. to KEEP their Distance.
Swan Cobs are Quiet and Fast. You NEED to LEARN to Work with them.. NEVER Turn Your Back on a Hormonal Cob ! ! ! I Love Cobs.. and we Learned what to do to KEEP Them and Us Safe ! !
We have had Wide Ranges of Experiences during Brood Swans Nesting.. One Mature Cob Trusted me.. I could Walk Up to the Nest.. Brush his Female’s Breast Feathers so she would Stand-up for me to Check her Eggs.. NO Problem.. (-;
Our Current Male.. would NEVER Allow me to do that WITHOUT my Husband KEEPing him Busy.. “Meadow” is BIG, Beautiful and BAD !! Love Him.. (-;
The Swans we Love – “Meadow” and “Brooke.” They are 16 Years Old in the Summer of 2025.
IF Something Happens to One Swan of a Pair.. For a While.. Watch for Wandering.. Check the Lone Swan is on the Pond/Lake at SunSet and SunRise..
For a Period of Time the Remaining Swan may be Looking for their Lost Mate..
Try to Visit Several Times a Day.. Bring Small Treats. Talk to them, Read to them, Play Music for them..
When it would be Time for a Lone Swan to Mate and Nest, it is Suspected that Females May go looking for a Male.. ?? More then a Male goes looking for a Female..
A Cob is more Likely to Stay with the Territory he Protects. You may see a Cob “Singing” into the Air – Calling for a Female.
All Birds/Swans are Driven by their Reproductive Hormones..
It is WISE to Wait about 3 Weeks before Introducing a New Mate. The Remaining Swan Needs Time to Adjust to their Lost Mate..
The Mute Cob Below Lived to 30 Years Old.. He had FIVE Females during his Life Time.
A Swan that has Lost a Mate will Accept a New Companion/Mate. Their Introduction and Adjustment may take a Little Time. All Ages – Male or Females will Accept a New Cygnet/Swan if Given a Little Time.
The OLD Saying, that Swans Mate for Life and will NOT Accept Another is NOT True.. Sadly, there are Swans Living Alone because of this Old Saying.
I have tried to Summarize this.. If you have any Questions Ask.. Please ! The More Information you have – the Better Your Swan Success.
**************************************************************** This Information is Gathered from Our Experiences Working with Swans.. PA SwanLover Linda Updated August 2025 ****************************************************************
July 10th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in ID Banding for Swans - (Comments Off on Practical Banding Idea for Cygnets and Swans)
A Mute Swan Family may have Six to Nine Cygnets.. HOW Do they Tell them Apart ? ? HOW Will You Tell them Apart ? ?
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
I Started to Organize this Topic in 2015.. Well, it has been Somewhat Frustrating.. How to ID the Cygnets and Swans in a Practical and Safe Way.
This Seems Like it would be a Simple Straight Forward Subject.
I have Swapped Ideas with Other Swan Folks.. Searched the Internet for Ideas and Supplies.. and I keep Coming Back to the Simplest Banding with Colored Cable Ties.
But… When Banding Cygnets and Adult Swans There are Variable to Consider..
EVERYONE Worries that a Leg Band will Get Caught on Something.. You Need to Weigh the Benefit against this Concern. If a Band is a Problem Remove it.
For Adult Swans: A Simple Colored Leg Band MAY SAVE their Life. If a Captive Pet Swan Wanders OFF your Private Property.. You might need to Identify the Swan as your Pet..
In Many States: Feral Swans are Removed from Public Lands and WaterWays. The Feral Female Mute Below was Shot to Death in November 2009. She was Full-Wing.. had been on our Local River System for Two Years. The Public would take Photos of her and Post them to Social Media. A Hunter from Maryland Traveled to Pennsylvania to Shoot her.
If a Hunter or WildLife Agent Sees a Band on a Wandering Swan.. They may Re-framed from Shooting your Swan..
If you Only have One Cygnet.. A Band might not be Needed until they are 4-5 Months Old.
I will Share ONE Example that Surprised me.. ( Still Learning ) We had Two 9 Day Old Rescued Cygnets.. Rejected by their Dam – they would be Hand Raised.
Early on, I thought with Just TWO Cygnets.. I could keep them Straight. I had Pinioned One on the Left Wing – the Other on the Right Wing. Since we were Hand Raising these Tiny Rescued Cygnets I Sent the Wing Tips for DNA-Sex Determinations.
On the Sample Submission Form I ID them as the Smaller Royal Mute Cygnet. and the Larger Royal Mute Cygnet.
Within 2 Weeks, their Size Reversed.. When the DNA Report came Back.. Both FEMALE. I was Relieved.. there would NOT be ANY Sex Mix-Up. Plus I had Pinioned on Opposite Sides – Making a Note of that.
If the Resulted has been One – Female / One – Male.. AND I had Pinioned Both on the Same Side.. AND I had been Depending on their Size to keep these Two Cygnets Straight.. I would be Unsure Which was Which..
SWANs and their Cygnets – Color Cable Ties for ID Bands
Most Hardware Stores have a WIDE Variety of Cable Ties.. Multi-Color.. Assorted Sizes .. Assorted Quality.
*******
ID Banding can be Very Helpful with Growing Cygnets.. They GROW So Fast.. Changing their Physical Appearance with Each Passing Week. Their Plumage will be Changing.. and by Next Summer they will be All White..
I know a Few Time that Cygnet Cable Tie Leg Bands came OFF.. and a Few of these Cygnets Needed to have their DNA ReChecked.
I Check all Ties when I put them On.. I make sure I can Put One Finger in the Loop as a Spacer.. And then I Tug a Little.. to be Sure the Cable Tie Holds – Does NOT Slide Apart. Once in a While there are Cable Ties that do not Ratchet and will Slide Apart.. These are Defective.. USE a Different Cable Tie. Always have a Few Extra Colored Ties Available.. ************** There are So Many Brands of Cable Ties.. Sizes and Colors.. Some are a Better Quality.. Lock more Reliably. ************** If a Band does Come OFF.. ( UGH ! ) Try to Re-Band with the Same Color.
IDENTIFYING a Brood of Cygnets is a Challenge.. It is VERY RISKY to Band Tiny Cygnets that will be OUT on their Pond.
The Cygnets Should be Pinioned by 21 Days – Their Legs are SMALL. Consider Doing the Smaller Cygnets on the Right Wing.. Then Pinion the Larger Cygnets on the Left Wing.. Basically, Pinion Half on Left – Half on Right.
THE Cygnets Below were Rescued and Hand-Raised.
If Cygnets are being Hand Raised.. then Putting a Band on while they are GROWING.. is Less of a Problem. Here, we have Submitted the Wing Tips for DNA.. They are Too Young for True Feathers.
The Avian BioTech Lab was Renamed > > Animal Genetics..
Hand Raised Cygnets are NOT out on a Large Body of Water.. More Cygnets will Survive when Protected during the Day and Sheltered at Night..
If your Swans Hatch 8 Cygnets and they are Living out on the Lake with their Parents, there is a Good Chance that Several will NOT Survive the Perils of Summer. Common Perils: Snapping Turtles, Hawks, Owls.. Great Blue Herons.. Large Mouth Bass.. Cats, Fox.. etc. Life is Hard for Swans.
The Polish Mute Swan Family Below Started with Six Cygnets. The Creamy White Polish Cygnets are more Easily Seen by Predators.
During their First Six Weeks.. Three did not Survive..
It is Realistic to Wait until the Cygnets are 12-14 Weeks Old to Gather them UP.. Collect True Feathers from their Chest to Submit for DNA-Sex Determinations..
Their Legs are Well Developed by this Time.. Place Assorted Color Cable Ties on the Leg that Matches their Pinioned Wings. Keep Watch for ANY Getting TOO Snug.
We use Colored Cable Ties on Cygnets when doing DNA-Checks.. Most Ties will stay on for 12-18 Months.. Some DO Break-down and Fall Off.
Adjust to Minimize Catching on Things.
I try to Balance “NOT TOO TIGHT” with “NOT TOO LOOSE.” I Slide my Little Finger into the Band as I Snug it Up. If I Pull it TOO Tight – I Start Again.
Take Care to Adjust ANY Leg Band So it will NOT Slide UP the Leg over the Ankle Joint.. The Joint Next to the Feathers… is the Ankle Joint.
Be Sure to Collect Any Strips of Cable Tie that is Trimmed.
The Ankle Joint of Birds – Swans is Visible.. NOT their Knees.
*******
Adjust to STAY on the Long Visible Part of the Leg.. So there is NO Pressure on any Leg Skin. Their Legs are NOT Round.. more Almond Shaped..
Keep a Watch for Bands to LOOK Snug – Especially with Cygnets. OR if the LEG Swells for ANY Reason. There are Nutritional Problems that Might Cause a Leg to Swell. An Injury Might Cause a Leg to Swell.
When the Bands get Above the Ankle Joint the Tiny Feathers may Hide the Band. We have Come Across Cygnets Limping Badly. Checked their Leg… The Band was not Visible and Way TOO Tight.
If a Band LOOKs TOO Tight.. > > CHANGE IT !
Swans and Cygnets have VERY Thin Leg Skin.. You do not want there to be any Pressure on the Skin.. ( Stories of Bands that GOT TOO TIGHT are Below.)
PROTECT > > YOUR LEGS and LAP – Wear OLD Shoes CYGNETs WILL POOP FREELY.
Watch their Toe Claws .. They are Able to Scratch.
If the Cygnet or Swan is WIGGLING.. ! ! Wait ! ! to Use the Scissors Until they are Still ! !
IF you Need to Cut a Band OFF to Change it.. Put a Thick Piece of Paper Under the Band.. so the Scissors does not Press on the Thin Leg Skin. One Suggestion is to Use a Pet Toe Nail Clipper to Snip the Cable Tie.
By Four Months Old.. most Cygnet Legs are Close to Mature Size.. If you are Placing the Bands-Cable Ties at 16+ Weeks.. You might not Need to Change them again..
Their Legs are Close to Full Grown- Size Wise.. The Leg Bones are Still Fragile. Handle as Gently as Possible.. Lower to the Ground Gently..
Once these NEW Objects are On the Swans and Cygnets, You may Notice them Nibbling at them for a Little While. That will Stop once they have a Chance to Adjust..
The Cygnets Above were Splashing in their Feed Tray.. Messy Babies.
Try an OnLine Search for Colored Cable Ties.
These Cable Ties with Tiny Metal Charms are SO CUTE ! ! ! If a Band would Look Worn or Might Come Off.. CHANGE the Band. You do not Want any Tiny Metal Charm to be Swallowed..
Packs of Chicken Charms are Easily Found OnLine.
( A GOOD Practice with Swan ) is to have a Fenced Area Where the Swans and Cygnets get Treats Several Times a Week… BIG HELP !!
We have Used the Catch Fencing.. It is STRESS-LESS for both the Swans and CareTakers.. Swans Love Treats..
Several Time a Week the Cygnets are Given Treats in the Catch Fence. Close this Area a Night.. So NO Swans get Trapped InSide.
*********************************************
IF you have or are Planning to Acquire TRUMPETER SWANs, Trumpeter Swans should be Purchased from a Captive Registered Breeder.
Wild Free Flying Trumpeter Swans MAY NOT be Removed from the Wild.
The Wing Tag on the Trumpeter Below is for Migration Research. This Young Male Flew into our Area.. He had a WebSite to Report Sightings.
Trumpeter Swan are Federally Protected and Need to be Registered with the: The United States Department of Interior.
United States Department of Interior (413) 253-8643 Fish & Wildlife Service P.O.Box 779 Hadley, MA (Mass) 01035-0779 It is More and More Difficult to Speak with a Person at this U.S Dept.
You may be Able to Get Registered – Numbered – Metal Leg Band for Trumpeters. Check with the Trumpeter Swan Society for the Proper Process.
The Trumpeter Swan Society – (763) 694-7851 12615 County Road 9 Plymouth, MN 55441 ttss@trumpeterswansociety.org – www.trumpeterswansociety.org Ask the TTSS Folks for Assistance if the Breeder is NOT Helpful.
Trumpeter Swans are Native to Canada and the Americas. There are Migrating Populations of the Trumpeter Swans in the West. There are Very Few along the East Coast.
**********************************************
A Story of What can Happen when Leg Bands GET TOO TIGHT !
A Large Lake, 55 Acres of Mountain Enchantment. A Community of mostly Senior Citizens. One Spring, Five Tiny Cygnets Hatched.. The Swan Caretaker-Helpers Gathered, Pinioned and Banded them.
Spring and Summer Days Passed. The Rapidly Growing Cygnets were on the Lake at Large.
Various Event Occurred and the Cygnets could not be Caught to Change their Bands. Late Fall, as Ice was Forming.. the Cygnets were Finally Collected. Two of the Seven Month Old Cygnets had Severely Constricted Legs.
These Two Cygnets could not Walk. A Veterinary Visit – Evaluation.. It was Questionable if these Legs would Ever Function Properly.
A Swan’s Legs and Feet are VERY Important to their Survival OutSide in their Environment.
The Three Cygnets that were OK were Adopted to New Homes. The Two Cygnets with Non-Functioning Legs were Placed in a Shelter for the Winter. Look how Beautiful and Healthy they Look..
With Months for these Constricted Legs to Heal, Nerves, Blood Vessel, etc.. these Big Messy to Care for Cygnets were Standing, Slowly Improving. They had a Chance.. NOT Easy for All.. Cygnets or Caretaker.
I Can Not Imagine the Pain the Cygnets Suffered while the TIGHT Bands were Strangling their Legs. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
OH MY Another Example of a VERY TIGHT Cable Tie Band !
For the “First Time,” a Gal was going to Pinion her Swans’ Brood of 6 Cygnets. She was Planning to Band the Cygnets at the Same Time. She had the Opportunity to have ALL 6 – Two Day Old Cygnets and Thought she could Do this. BUT, she was Home Alone..
The First Cygnet was Pinioned.. and a White Cable Tie Band Placed. Being Alone this Project became TOO Big for One Person. The Adult Swans were UpSet and Calling for their Cygnets.
The Remaining Cygnets were JUST Pinioned.. Banding would Wait. The Gal Forgot she had ONE Cygnet Banded..
******** The Cygnets were Spending their Days OUT on the Pond. Four Weeks Later this Busy Lady Left for a Time Away to Visit a Friend.
When she Returned Home…. Something was Wrong with One Cygnet..?? On Close Inspection it was the VERY Tight Cable Tie. OH NO !!!
This Cygnet was NOT Willing to Come in from the Pond. Its Leg was Swollen and Hurt.. It did not want to Walk. It Too 8-9 Frustrating Days to Catch this Cygnet.. AND it Required HELP ! !
Once the Cygnet was Caught.. the Band was Removed ASAP !
The Cygnet was Closely Watched for Several Days.. The Swelling did Resolve.. and the Cygnet was/is OK.
WHEN these BANDs are VERY TIGHT – DO NOT TRY to SLIDE ANYTHING Under the Tight Band.. CUT the LOCK LOOP !
******
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& For Captive Pet SWANs – Color Cable Ties for ID Bands Banding Information Organized by Linda M. Sweger AUGUST 2022 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Below is General Information about Various Banding you might See on Wild Swans. And in Some Areas Bands on Feral Mute Swans.
“Wild” Released Trumpeter Swans found in PA with Yellow Neck-Collars or Yellow Wing-Tags are from the Ontario Reintroduction Efforts.
Neck Collars are Commonly used in the United States and throughout North America. Wing Tags, as well as Collars, are commonly used in Canada.
Red, Green and Yellow Collars are most often used for Trumpeter Swans. While Gray, Black and Blue Collars are most often used for Tundra Swans.
If a Wild Swan Stops on your Pond or Lake or River.. Try to take a Photo of the Collar or Wing Tag for the Numbering Code.
The Marker Information is Needed in Addition to carefully Describing the Date, Location, Number and Age ( Adult = White Feathers, Cygnet = Gray Feathers) Numbers of other Marked or Unmarked Swans in the Group. Notes on Behavior are Appreciated as well.
All Wild Marked Swans should be Reported to the USGS Bird Banding Lab. The Bird Banding Lab has an easy Online Site for you to Report a Marked Bird.
Bird Banding Laboratory Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 12100 Beech Forest Road Laurel, MD 20708
The Silver Leg Band can rarely be Read on a Live Swan but can provide Valuable Information when a Dead Swan is found.
Be sure to Note your Name and Contact Data.
This Young Male Trumpeter Swan stayed at a Local River Access for Months. He became an Attraction. Every Day People would Stop to Visit. He was Fed a Steady Diet of Bread and Corn.. One Afternoon he went to a Small Island in the River for a Nap. He Never Woke Up.. He was Barely Two Years Old.
*************************************************
WHY do some Swans have Large Color and Number Coded Neck Collars ??
These Neck Collars are Color Coded and Numbered by Location.
I REALLY Dislike the Neck Collars.. I would Worry ALL the time that it was Getting TOO Tight and Choking them. These are Used Mostly in Areas where DNR and ReEstablishment Programs are Studying Swans that will Live Wild and Free.. To Check Population Disbursement..
I would be Uncomfortable with these Neck Collars.. They Look like they MIGHT Restrict Swallowing.
I have been Assured that these Young Swans are Doing OK.. The Collars MUST Remain on them.. A State DNR Requirement.
Then there is WINTER… Water Freezing Into the Neck Collar onto Feathers.
This Icy Collar has to be VERY Annoying.
This Trumpeter has a Bright Neck Collar and a Matching Leg Band.
In England the Method Employed is to Mark ( or “Ring” ) Individual Swans with Uniquely Numbered Leg Rings so that they may be Identified and Studied.
So… Banding Swans is Not a Simple Topic.. We Try to Keep it Simple.
There are NOW Solar Tracking Collars for Swans.. Used for Research – Better Training is Needed.
This GPS Collar was REMOVED from a Mute Swan in China.. Local People were Reporting this Swan could NOT Eat..
Below are From my Notes and Searches for Other GOOD Ideas for IDENTIFYING Cygnets and Swans. I Decided None of these were Workable for Our Cygnets/Swans.
I did a Bit of Reading about these Colored Spiral Poultry Bands.
The Spiral Rings might be Workable for Young Cygnets. But, the Largest Rings are Too Small for Mature Adult Swans.
The more Solid Round Rings are not Large Enough for Mature Cobs.. The Largest Turkey Spiral Bands are NOT Large Enough.. Most Rings Only Go to Size #16. Mature Cobs NEED a Ring at LEAST 1 – 1/2 Inches.
The Simple Cable Ties are Flexible and Conform Better to the Shape of a Swan’s Leg..
Several Years Ago.. I Called the Company Below.. At that Time I could not Find any Band that was Better then the Basic Cable Tie. New Product are being Developed. It does not Hurt to Check what is New..
NATIONAL BAND & TAG COMPANY Phone: 1 (859) 261-2035. International Identification INC 721 York St, PO Box 72430 Newport, KY 41072-0430 They were Happy to Help – Made Suggestions.
We Discussed using Metal Livestock Ear “Tags.” Clipping these into the Wing Skin of Cygnets Weighing at Least One Pound.. Should be OK for a Swans Up to 25-30 Pound.
The More I Thought about these.. How would anyone Know to Look through the Wing Feathers for the Tags.. ???
************************************************************ There are Numerous WebSites to Read about Banding Wild Birds and Swans.. All Information has Value..
There are a FEW Places – Zoos and Major Parks that are Using the MicroChips. The Same UnderSkin Chips used for Cats and Dogs.
To Check these MicroChip you Need a Chip Scanner.. These are Not Very Practical for the General BackYard – Farm Swans. ********************************************************************************************
April 7th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in TIMING SWAN EGGs to HATCH - (Comments Off on A BASIC SCHEDULE for SWAN EGGs to HATCH.)
THERE ARE BIG SWAN EGGs in their NEST.
Your Mute Swans are EGGSpecting.. Now What ??
“TIMING the NEST & EGGs” will be Helpful.
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
This will be a BASIC OUTLINE.. General Behaviors. There are LOTs of Exception.. NO 100% Rules.
I do not have Much Experience with other Species of Swans. We have Worked and Visited Mostly with Mute Swans.
Toward the End of this Topic Page I will have a Few Notes about the Black Australian and Trumpeter Swans Nesting. **********
As I Worked on this Topic Page.. I had Lots of Nesting Notes from Our Years of Swan Visits.. And Photo Images to help Support my General Notes. Keeping a Diary as Your Swans Nest can be VERY Useful in Future Years.
**********************************
Mute Swans will Start more Affectionate Courting Behavior in the Late Fall.
On Average, Sexual Mating will Occur Starting Mid-Late January and Continue until the Female Starts to “Sit” Full Time on their Nest.
In Late February-Early March, Swans will Start Looking for a Nest Site.
Do Your BEST to Keep them On Your Private Property.
#1 >>> DO NOT WEAR WHITE in the Spring while Swans are Mating and Nesting. WHITE is a Trigger for the Cobs to Attack.. NO White Buckets or Bags. > > > > Earth-tones are Less Agitating.
“Hormonal Cobs” see WHITE as Invaders in his Territory.
#2 >>> Keep ALL Feed/Food at Least 30 Feet from their Nest.
You DO NOT Want to Invite Mice, Rats, Raccoons or Insects to the Nest.
It is the Cob’s “JOB” to Protect his Female, the Nest and their Precious Eggs.
Since Swans are “Ground Nesting Birds,” the Pens are Very Vulnerable. Protecting a Swan Pen from Predators is a BIG Challenge.
Pens are Very Vulnerable During Nesting. Especially without a Cob for Protection.
#3 >>> NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A HORMONAL COB !!
THEY are FAST and Quiet.. Give him SPACE and Understanding.
* * * * *Inform – Warn ALL Your Visitors to KEEP Their Distance * * * * *
There is a “Line” > > That if you Cross it.. You are in the Cob’s Protected Space and he WILL Defend it.. BE AWARE ! !
Swans can COME Across a Body of Water or a Lawn.. IN A BIG HURRY.
We keep a Barrier with us.. A Padded Fan Rake. Or Large Vinyl Trash Can.
Never Hit your Swans.. >>> Just Keep them from Hitting YOU ! Swan’s Bones are NOT as Dense as Our Bones. They Break Easily.
OR We Keep a LARGE Net with us.. To Contain the Cob if Necessary. Cobs are Easy to Catch when they are Hormonal.. When they Come to Chase or Attack.. Just Net them.
#4 > > > DO NOT REMOVE ALL Eggs to Prevent Cygnets Hatching.. > > > > Pens MUST “Sit” on Several Eggs for 42 Days to Prevent Recycling and Laying more Eggs.
Instead Oil, Spoil the Eggs or Swap-Out with Replacement Eggs.
If you want to Reduce the Number of Eggs that might Hatch, Wait for the Pen to be “Sitting” about 7-10 Days. This Pen was “Sitting” on 8 EGGs – We Removed 5 – Leaving her 3.
IF you REMOVE any EGGs.. KEEP them COOL Just in Case they are Needed. If the Remaining Eggs Start to Disappear you may Need them. Unless they are Cracked or Smell Nasty. Discard Those !
My Plan with this Topic Page is to Share “TIMING Swan EGGs to Hatch” I Plan to get into more Details in Future Pages.. Much to Share.
Swan Nesting is a Wonderful Time… Enchantment in the Air.
If you are Able to Relax for a Few Minutes each Day… Sit and Watch – It is a Magical Time..
Although some “Waiting” Days ( 37 – 42 ) are like “Watching Paint Dry.”
During this Time you May NOT be Able to Mow the Lawn in the Nest Area.. BE Patient.. Many Cobs HATE Lawn Mowers, Weed Whackers, Chain Saws, etc.. They WILL Attack Them.. BE AWARE !
The Cob above was Lucky. He Attacked the Mower HIT the Metal. Broke Open the Skin on his Wrist Joint. It Hurts ! Risk of Infection ! His Wound was Cleaned and Triple Antibiotic Cream Applied for Several Days. His Owner was Surprised How Quickly this Hormonal Cob Settled Down Once Caught.
It is the MOST Magical Time Watching Swans in Love.
How they Work Together, Protect and Care for Each Other.
It is a “BIG SMILE Day” when we Find Tiny Cygnets in their Nest !
******
If Tiny Cygnets Hatch, most Mature Swans are Devoted Parents. There are Exception.. NO 100% Rules with Swans.
IF the Swan Parents Perceive something is Not Right with any of their Cygnet.. Infanticide is Common.
If you Rescue Cygnets that are being Attacked by the Parents you will Likely Need to Hand Raise these “Little Ones.”
Tiny Cygnets are Very Vulnerable until about 12 Weeks Old..
There are Lots of Things to Learn when Caring for Swans..
Swans are NOT Fond of the Nets.. They will Try to Avoid being Caught.
Reproductive Hormones Increase During the Winter Months >> Spring !
As the Time for Mating Begins You will See the Mute Swans’ Beaks Flush Pinkish-Red. This is the Result of their Reproductive Hormones Increasing. You will ONLY See this with the Mute Swans..
One of the First Anxious Times is WHERE will the Swans Decide to Nest.. The FIRST Year or Two.. are the Biggest Worry. Do EVERYTHING you can to Encourage them to Nest ON your Property.
Nest Building will Begin Mid-Late March… It is Weather Dependent. ??? Which is Still a Mystery to me.
Nest Building may take 5 – 14 Days. Swans will be Mating.
The Cob will Gather the Larger Coarse Twigs for the Nest Base.
The Pen will Spend her Time EATING, EATing, Eating !!
The Female will Line the Cavity with Smaller Materials. Dried Grasses, Leaves and FEATHERs, etc.
Egg Laying may Starts as Early as Mid-Late March.
“Sitting for Incubation” might Start the Early Weeks of April..
While the Pen is Laying her Clutch.. She may Sit on the Eggs before the Clutch is Finished.
Check the Nest for Feathers.. If there are Very Few Feathers.. the Pen is NOT Ready to Incubate – She is Protecting her Eggs. The Pen Needs to “FEATHER the Nest.” Shedding Feathers from her “Brood Patch” to Allow her Skin to Warm the EGGs to 101 Degrees.
MARK the DATE your Pen Starts to “SIT” FULL-Time ! ! ! AND has Lots of Feather in the Nest Cavity.
Somehow, Swans Instinctively Know when there will be LOTS of Insects Available for their Newly Hatching Cygnets.
****** BUGs – BUGs – BUGs ****** “BUGs are the GRUB” for Tiny Cygnets. *************************************************************
Whether a Female Swan has been Mating or Not ( No Male Mate ), by Age Three ( Some at Two Years ) Pens will Want to Nest.
Once the Main Nest Material is Collected and in Place, AND the EGGs are in the Nest… the Pen’s Hormones will Prompt her to Pluck-Preen Soft Fluffy Contour Feathers from her Lower Breast and Abdomen. Her “Brood Patch.”
The Term “Feathering the Nest” Comes from this Nesting Process.
The Pen Arranges the Fluffy Feathers in the Nest Cavity to provide Additional Warmth and Insulation.
Her Thinner Layer of Feathers Allow the Blood Vessels that Run Close to the Pen’s Skin in the “Brood Patch” to Pass her Body Heat ( Passive – Resting 101-103 Degrees ) Directly to Incubate the Eggs at 101 Degrees. A Swan’s Active Temperature is ( 103-106 Degrees ) Excited – Stressed or Flying.
Swan Pens.. Lay ONE EGG Every Other Day ( Favoring Mornings ) until All her Clutch is in the Nest.
A Clutch of 3 Eggs: 3 Laying Days.. and 2 Days in-between = 5 Days. A Clutch of 4 Eggs: 4 Laying Days.. and 3 Days in-between = 7 Days.
A Clutch of 5 Eggs: 5 Laying Days.. and 4 Days in-between = 9 Days. A Clutch of 6 Eggs: 6 Laying Days.. and 5 Days in-between = 11 Days.
A Clutch of 7 Eggs: 7 Laying Days.. and 6 Days in-between = 13 Days. A Clutch of 8 Eggs: 8 Laying Days.. and 7 Days in-between = 15 Days.
A Clutch of 9 Eggs: 9 Laying Days.. and 8 Days in-between = 17 Days.
The Pen will NOT “Sit” Full-Time on her Eggs while she is Laying them.. SHE will be Out EATING !
The Cob will Protect and Keep Eggs Warm, but Can NOT Incubate. The Feathers on his Breast and Abdomen are Too Thick to Transfer Adequate Heat.
During the Egg Laying Time, the “Cob” will “Sit” with/or on the Eggs. They Enjoy being Close to and Protecting the Eggs in their Nest.
******
During the Laying Stage, Swans may Bury or Cover their Eggs to keep them Safe until the Clutch is Complete and Ready to Incubate.
ONLY the Mute Pen can Incubate their Eggs – The Clutch.
IF Both Swans are Out on the Water. You Might get a Chance to Sneak a Peek at the Nest/Eggs..
The Swans are VERY QUICK to Head back to their Nest if they SEE you in that Area !
EATING: The Pen will be Seeking Soft Muddy Places to Find Insect Larva.. and will be EATING, EATing, Eating.
Their EATING Frenzy Starts about Three Weeks Before Egg Laying Starts.
She is Getting Ready for 5 Long Weeks on her Nest.. The Average Mute Pens Weighs 22-26-28 Pounds.
Average Mute Clutch: 4-9 Eggs. Average Egg Weighs 13-14 Ounces. 7 Eggs = 6.00 Pounds of the Pens Body Weight.
Most Swan Eggs are Light Olive Tea Stained in Color. Some ??? are a Very Pretty Pale Blue..
Make a Note of the Date the Pen is “Sitting” Full-Time, Count Ahead 37 Days.
If All Goes WELL, and Nothing Happens to this First Spring Clutch, Hatching will occur -/+ 37 Days.
When the Pen’s Egg Laying is Complete, “Sitting” will Begin Around the Clock to Incubate her Eggs. This Way all the Eggs will Incubate at the Same Time.
During the Next 35-37 Days, the Pen will Need to take Short Breaks for to Drink and to Relieve herself. Breaks are Short 4 to 6 Minutes.
The Cob will Stay with the Nest and Eggs until the Pen Returns.
******
The Cob will Frequently Switch Places for these Short Breaks.. and Protect the Eggs-Nest. You may See him Nod for her to “Get-Up.”
You may Observe them “Counting their Eggs.”
Sometimes, Eggs will Crack as the Parents Trade “Sitting Duties” and Never Develop. If they Leak the Clear Albumin, this will Attract Flies and Insects.. Try to Remove Cracked-Sticky or Stinky Eggs.
The Pen will Turn the Eggs Numerous Times a Day. This Warms the Eggs Evenly and Helps Prevent the Embryos from Sticking to One Spot in the Shell…
Cobs will “Patrol” the Water’s Edge by the Nest…
The Cob will Usually Join his Female On or By the Nest near SunSet…
If the Swans are Comfortable with you Walking Toward their Nest, Collect a Handful of Twigs or Greens like Ferns.
Lay the Twigs or Greens where they can Easily See them.. Be Safe doing this – Not TOO Close..
The Swans will Accept the “Gift” for their Nest. The Next Day these will Likely be in the Nest.
I have Done this Over and Over, I think it Helps with Trust.. They Understand you are not a Threat to their Nest. Be Sure to “Nod” Hello as you Approach them.. Stay Calm.
THE LONG WEEKS of INCUBATING the EGGs are About OVER !
DAY 35: Two Days before the Cygnets Hatch, you may hear “Cheeping.” The Term is “Pipping.” The Pen may Quietly Squeal to the Eggs.. The Pens Vocal – Sounds like Tiny Puppies Squealing..
The Cygnets will Wiggle in their Eggs.. This will Cause the Pen to Stand more and Leave the Nest more Often.
Hungry, the Pen WILL Seek Food – Watch for her to EAT. The Pen’s Hunger is a “Signal” of Imminent Nest Maturity.
The Pen will get into the Water Frequently and Bring Moisture on her Breast-Abdomen Back to the Nest to Help Soften the Egg Shells..
Do Your Best NOT to Interfere with this Process… The General Advise is: NEVER Help a Half Hatched Egg.. The Swans’ Instinct will do the Best Job.
AND the Swans Need Time for the Imprinting with their Cygnets.. Best to just Observe.
Soon After the Eggs Hatch, the Pen will Eat the Shells.. She is Reclaiming the Calcium her Body Provided for the Shells.
******
All Eggs should Hatch within 36-48 Hours up to 72 Hours.
The Cygnets MUST go to the Water by the Third Day to Start Eating. “BUGS are the GRUB” for their First 10 Days…. LOTS and LOTS of Bugs…
Swans will Gently take their little Cygnets back to the Nest for Mid-Morning Naps and Short Rest Periods for Several Days.
It is a TOTAL Joy to Watch Swan Parents Care for their Tiny Cygnets…
To Supplement Feed for the Cygnets – > > NON-Medicated“Start-n-Grow” or a NON-MedicatedPoultry “Crumble” in a Shallow Pan near the Water will help if BUGS are Scarce…
In Some Situations it may be Necessary to Remove and Hand Raise Cygnets. If Predators to Numerous. – If the Parents Reject some of the Cygnets. If Cygnets Hatch in a Location they are Not Allowed.
Hand Raised Cygnets have a Better Survival Rate. It is a Big Job.
If the Swan Eggs are UnFertile and Not Going to Hatch.. Try to Remove after 42 Days.
If the Eggs are Not going to Hatch… for whatever Reason, Some Female will Simply Continue to “Sit”… and “Sit.” OR if the EGGs are REALLY STINKY.. the Pen may just Leave on her Own.
******
*******************************
If you are able to Check the Eggs when the Pen Stands Up or is OFF the Nest for a Few Minutes…
Look for any Eggs Attracting Flies… They are likely Rotting – Carefully Smell Them. > > > Rotting Eggs that Smell BAD… SHOULD be Removed.
If the Eggs DO NOT Hatch by Day 42 there is Little Chance they will.. They will likely SMELL TERRIBLE – Attracting FLIES..
Flies Around a Nest are a SIGN of Trouble. Remove any Cracked or Foul Smelling Eggs. Flies Carry Many Types of Diseases. >>>> AND Flies May Lay Eggs – in 3 Day there will be Maggots in the Nest.
WE have Replacement EGGs to SWAP-OUT Nasty Smelling EGGs.
OR Consider a Fly Repellent:
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: Rosemary Oil, Thyme Oil, Citronella Oil, Cedar Oil, Clove Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Geraniol.
DO NOT SPRAY Directly into the Nest.. Use ORGANICs – ONLY if Needed.. Spray 4-5 Feet OUT from the Center of the Nest.. Spray Away from the Pen.. On Calm Day.
Sitting 42 Days on Eggs that will not Hatch.. is SIX Long Weeks. Your Pen is not Eating more then a Few Bites during that Time.
Best to Remove/Discard the Eggs so your Pen will Start to Eat. ( From Articles ) Report 20% of Swan Pens will Sit until they Starve to Death.
Hopefully, the Pen will Leave the Nest Naturally… If you Wait TOO Long.. the Eggs will EXPLODE.. YUCK !!
Some Cobs will Encourage their Female to Leave the Nest.. Somehow, they know.. I have Witnessed this.. It is Sad.
Double Bag-Line a Small Bucket to Remove UnHatched Eggs. If they Explode or you Drop them.. IT IS a BIG Mess.. Been There.
I can not Imagine what a Pen does if an Egg Explodes while they are Turning them.. They are “Stink Bombs !”
Removing the Eggs is NOT a One Person Job..
Extra Hands.. and Make a Plan so you Know Who will do What.
You will NEED to Contain the Cob in a Safe Place.
This Makes the Job Safer for Us and for the Swans.
We Put Our Cob in a Transport Carrier in a Safe, Shady Area.
I use a Folding Lawn Chair – Turned Around as a Protection-Barrier.
Moving Closer Slowly to the Pen on her Nest.. be Patient. Hopefully she will Move Off the Nest for a Few Minutes..
IF the Pen will NOT Leave the Eggs on her Own.. Wrap a Large Beach Towel around her… Gently Move her off the Nest. This is a VERY Stressful Time for a Pen.. Keep Calm – Work Quickly.
NOTE: When the First Cygnets Hatch.
Usually you will have Most Hatch within 24 Hours.. then maybe a Few more by 36 Hours.. IF there are UnHatched Eggs at 72 Hours they are Unlikely to Hatch..
Removing these will Stop the “Dam” from Continuing to try to Incubate them.. It is Time for her to take the Healthy Cygnets to the Water… They NEED to Start Eating.
It is VERY Common for One or Two Egg Not to Hatch.
******
It is More Unusually for ALL the Eggs to Hatch.
There are MANY Reason Eggs do Not Hatch.. Maybe they are Not Fertile. Maybe an Egg has a Tiny Crack.. Bacteria gets in.. Maybe the Air Exchange was Poor.. Maybe there is a Physical Defect .. Maybe Deficient in Materials.. Maybe it Froze.. Maybe it Got TOO Wet.. Maybe… Maybe…
Time to Remove and Discard the UnHatched and/or Eggs you know are Unfertile.
WHEN YOU Pick UP the UnHatched Eggs.. “Carefully” Smell.. Listen for Piping.. Feel for Wiggling.. IF you Hear Piping.. OR the Egg Wiggles..> > Leave IT ! and it does NOT Smell Nasty.. PUT it Back in the Nest. IT JUST Might Hatch..
Most Pens will Quickly Return to their Nest.. It is a Sad Time but Necessary.
Once the Nest is Empty.. the Swans will Likely Return for about a Day..
Taking the UnHatched Eggs Away Allows the Cob to “Close the Nest.”
****** ******
Now the Swans will Face ALL the Perils of Summer.
The Nest Below is a Different Nest.. Built by Different Swans.
Most Swans are OUT on their Water the Next Day.. The Pen will be Eating.. Provide her a Good Quality Feed.
Reproductive Hormones for Both Swans will Decrease over the Next Two Weeks.. The Summer and Fall will be more Peaceful..
If you have Cygnets Hatch… Then the Summer and Fall will be Busy !
Young Cygnets out Grazing for Crunchy BUGs !
Swan Cygnets GROW SO Fast.. They Need to be Strong and Healthy by Fall.
GENERALLY ALL SWANs INCUBATE their EGGs a Similar Number of Days.
MUTE Swans …………………………………. Aver. 36-*37 days BLACK AUSTRALIAN Swans ………….. Aver. 36 days ………….. Twice Annually BLACK NECKED Swans …………………. Aver. 36 days COSCOROBA Swans ………………………. Aver. 35 days TRUMPETER Swans ……………………… Aver. 35-36 days TUNDRA-(Whistling) Swans ………….. Aver. 35-36 days WHOOPER Swans …………………………. Aver. 36 days
BEWICK Swans ……………………………… Aver. 36 days – I am trying to Figure Out where these Fit.
( While Reading, I did find a Variety of “Days for Incubation”) Ranging from 32 – 45 Days. I Suspect some Guessing.
Black Australian Swans Nest Twice Annually. Broods Hatching in March and October.
Black Australian Swans BENEFIT from Sheltering.
******
The Basics for Nesting Swans is Similar. The Time of Year they Nest will Vary.
Trumpeter Swans Nest about a Month Later then the Mute Swans.
****** ******
It is a Good Idea to Remove the Nest Material when you are SURE your Swans are Finished for the Season.
Decaying Nests make Great Homes for Mice, Rats, Bees, Snakes, Spiders, Mold, Fungus, On and On, etc.
In the Fall or Very Early Spring Pile some New Twigs for a Fresh Nest.
Swan EGGs are Commonly Lost to Freezing, Flooding, Raccoons.. People..Kids.. !
Spring Weather can Vary Greatly… Warm then COLD ! Uncovered Eggs may Freeze.
Spring Flooding – OH MY !! When Heavy Rain Flash Floods their Nest Site !
WET – Soaked.. Water will Enter the Eggs. There are Very Fine Pores in the Shell that Allows Air to Enter-Exchange..
More likely then not any Embryos that are Developing will Drown. OR Bacteria will Enter and Damage the Contents of the Eggs..
Nesting Material that Does NOT Drain.. Can Spoil the Eggs. This Nest is Mostly Last Fall’s Leaves that are Mush after Days of Rain.
WET Swan Eggs will turn Blue..
Days of Heavy Spring Rain.. Spoiled this Pen’s Eggs.
These will be the “Anyone’s Guess” Eggs.. It is “Anyone’s Guess” if they will Hatch.. Few Do.
I have Seen Swans Roll these Blue Eggs out of their Nest.
Disappearing EGGs – Raccoons are the Common Reason. You may Find Broken, Empty Egg Shells in the Area Near the Water.
******
As Long as there are One or Two Eggs in the Nest, Most Pens will Continue to Incubate them.. And not Recycle.
****** ******
If All Eggs are Lost there is a Good Chance the Pen will Lay more Eggs. She will EAT for 7-14 Days to Replenish her Body… “She will Recycle.”
You will See Mating AGAIN, if they Recycle for another Clutch > > MORE Eggs.
The Swans will START their Nesting ALL Over Again !
Incubating – “Sitting” in the Summer Heat is Very Hard on the Pens.. Try Providing some Shade.. Below the Pen is Using her Wings for Shade.
The Cob will Notice the Pen Panting, Blinking.. Looking Distressed.. and will give her more Breaks on Hot Days.
>>> Never Place Food Near the Nest…! NO Closer then 30-40 Feet… But, a Pan or Bowl of Clean (Change Daily) Cold Water on Hot Days Placed Several Feet from the Nest is often “Welcomed” by the Pens.
This Pen Trusted me.. I could Place a Cold Drink on her Nest.. I Learned it is BEST NOT to Add Salad Greens to the Water Tube.
Watch/Remove ANY Pan of Water Close to Hatching.. If the Container is Too Deep a Tiny Cygnet MIGHT Climb IN and NOT be able to Get Out..
” BIG SMILE “
With or Without Cygnets it is Time for Swans to be Out on their Water. Swans are Safer on their Water Environment !
I Found a Memory Summary Written by a Man that had been Caring for the Swans on a Large Community Lake for a Number of Years.
There had been Way Too Many Injuries due to Discarded Fishing Hooks and Line.
In all his Years of Carrying Out Swan Rescue Missions, he had been Unsuccessful Only Once. One Nesting Pen was Determined to Incubating a Tennis Ball and Coke Bottle. She had Accepted them as her “Eggs.” These Items of Trash were Not Rotting. They did not Smell Bad.. There was NO “Wiggling or Pipping” Signal for her to Expect them to Hatch.
Quoting the SwanKeeper: “They’ll starve themselves to death before they leave the nest,” “She wouldn’t get up.”
He knew the Only Way to Save the Pen was to take these Object out from under her. But every time he Braved the Swampy Marsh where her Nest was Located, he was OverPowered by her Mate’s Protective Aggression.
The Pen Eventually Wasted Away “Sitting” on Items of Trash.
The Image Above is from the Same Lake.. Not the Same Nesting Pen. **************************************************************
Gathered for YOUR Information ( FYI ) …May 2021 From our Years of Visiting Nesting Swans Far and Wide. We had Experiences with Feral Mute Swans and Private Captive Swans. Thanks to Folks in My Swan Network for your Shared Images.
We have Learned.. There are NO 100% Rules with Swans. Swans Do NOT Read the Books Written about them.. … SwanLovers Linda & Rob
March 20th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in DeIcing with a SUMP PUMP - (Comments Off on MAYBE a SUMP PUMP Will WORK)
A Winter Wake is a Disturbance in the Surface of Water that Inhibits Freezing.
To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.
During the Warm Weather a Spray Fountain was in this Country Pond.
This is a Retention Pond. Guessing about FOUR Feet Deep in some Areas.
We Learned a Lot from our Visits with these Swans.
We Stopped Late on a Very Cold Afternoon to Drop-Off Bags of Lettuce.
Rob Walked out on the Dock.. I Came Down to the Pond for a Few Minutes.
It was not Long before Thick Clouds Covered the Sky.. Blocking the Sun.
The Air Chilled Quickly.. My Tolerance for the Cold has its Limits.
Discouraged by the Lack of Sun and my Cold Fingers, I went back to our Van.
I Always Enjoy our Pond Visits.. and Photographing the Various Swans.
The Following Series of Images were a Surprise.
While Rob Continued to Feed the Swans.. I Snapped the Following Images Sitting in the Van out of the COLD.
What I was Seeing in my View Finder.. were VERY Dark Images..
I Figured I would be Deleting these Once on my Computer.. TOO Dark !
I was Glad that I Captured these Almost Silhouette Images.
By 4:30PM.. it was OverCast with Thick Clouds and getting Dark.
When this Pair Saw our Van Pull-in.. they would Head Over for Treats.
Depending on Rain and Snow Melt.. The Pond Water Level would Vary.
Mid-March of 2014, a Fair Amount of their Pond was Still Ice Covered.
This is the Start of the Winter of 2014 – 2015..
I Tried to See what was Swirling the Water to Keep the Ice Free Area.
I Asked the Wife.. She said, it was a Sump Pump Attached to the Dock Post.
What I could See.. Reminded me of a Leaf Blower.. A Jet of Water near the Surface. * There is an Electric Cord in the Water.
Do a SEARCH for: POND Aeration SUMP PUMP >>> : POND DeIcing SUMP PUMP
Sump Pumps Draw Water TOWARD the Unit and Discharge with Force..
This Action also Pulls any nearby Debris toward the Unit. Leaves, Pine Needles, Trash, etc. can QUICKLY STOP the Water Flow. This may cause the Unit to OverHeat…. > > > > POOF !! Short Life..
Do a Search for: Clean vs. Dirty Sump Pumps. Not All Sump Pumps are Created Equal. Some are More Suited for this.
We Visited this Swan Pond for Nine Years. The Same DeIcing Pump was there each Winter.
This was a Favorite Swan Pond we would Visit over the Years.
We got to Observe the Young Pair Bond, Mature, Nest and Hatch Cygnets.
These Swans knew us Well.. Enjoyed our Salad Greens and Treats.
