A site dedicated to sharing general care of mute swans
Header

SAME SEX FEMALE MUTE SWAN PAIRings

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.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Mature Female Swans are Called Pens.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

HAVING TWO SWAN Pens as a Pair..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Two Female Swans do NOT Need to be Related..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

They can be Different Ages.. from Different Parents.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Six to 12 Month Female Cygnets will be Friends/Companions..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens are Graceful, Charming, more Even Tempered.
Pens are not as Showy as Cobs.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

There is Less Risk of Pens Attacking the Public in Public Places.
But in Return Pens are more Often Abused by a Few Callous People.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

With Two Pens, there is NO “HORMONE” Drama in the Spring.
And No Cygnets to Deal with. Cygnets are Cute, but Work..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

This is the BIG Concern – Two Pens are VERY Vulnerable during Nesting.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Without a Cob to Protect them Nest Mortality is Higher.
It will be Your Challenge to Protect them.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Two Females do Better when there is an Island for their Spring Nesting..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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 !

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Or it may be Necessary to Put up a Section of Fence to Protect them.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.
Swans DO NOT Release Body Waste into their Nest.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Or Consider a Floating Nest Platform.. An Artificial Island.
The Floating Platform Below is Anchored Out from the Bank.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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

SWAN Nesting Platform

Most Swan Pens Need to Nest in the Spring.. ( Not All Will – Why ?? )
With or Without a Cob – Mature Pens will Lay Eggs.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens will Nest Together or Separately. NO Rules..
Every Spring will be Different.. The Pens Decide.. (-;

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Nest Building takes One to Two Weeks..
Pens General Pull Together Cavity Nests.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

You Could Provide the Pens with a Pile of Twigs Arranged in a Loose Circle…
Pens Like to have One Solid Surface Behind them.. A Wall, Fence, Large Tree, etc.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Maybe they will Accept and Add to a Partial Gathered Nest.. Better Drainage..

## Swans Gather Nest Materials
https://swanlovers.net/category/swans-gather-nest-materials/
*************************

Heavy Rain Surrounded the Nest Below.. Note how Swampy.
Having a Base of Twigs kept the Nest Cavity and Eggs Dry.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

You CAN NOT Remove the Swans’ Eggs to Prevent Nesting ! !

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens will Recycle and Lay another Clutch of Unfertile Eggs.
Mute Swan Females
 Living Together

They will Keep Laying Eggs Until they have a Clutch to “Sit On” and Deplete they Body.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.. Hatched 3 Precious Cygnets.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

First Clutch.. 8 Eggs ( I think ) Second Clutch 7 Eggs.. Both Lost to Flooding.
Below is the THIRD Clutch of 4 BIG EGGs !

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

This Extended her Nesting Season into Warmer and Warmer Weather.
After Weeks “Sitting” in the Heat.. her Cygnets Hatched July 14-15th.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

The Pens below had to be Moved during Nesting.. ( Emergency Move. )
They Both Recycled and Laid a Second Clutch – Nesting into Late June Heat.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens MUST be Allowed to “Sit” on their Unfertile Eggs for 42 Days.
The Pens may “Choose” to Leave on their Own.. Some Do.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens are VERY Dedicated to their Eggs and will “Sit” Tight
on Eggs that will Never Hatch.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Many Pens will Protect their Eggs with their Lives.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens are Sorta Aggressive-Protective during Nesting..
They will Hiss and Flog if you get TOO Close to their Nest.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

This does Depend on your Level of Trust with them.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

After 42 Days, TAKE all the Eggs Away and Discard..
Do this Carefully, SMELLY Eggs may EXPLODE !!

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

The Pens will likely stay with their Empty Nest for another Day..
then Leave the Nest and Start to EAT !!!

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

The Average Mature Pen might Weigh 22-28 Pounds.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

For about Three Weeks before Pens Start to Lay their Spring Eggs..
You will Observe them EATING – EATing – Eating !

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Poking into Soft Muddy Areas of Shallow Water
for the Nutrients they need for their BIG Eggs.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

In Early Spring Pens Lay One Egg every other Day.
A Clutch of 6 Eggs takes 11 Days.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens DO NOT “Sit” on their Clutch until ALL Eggs are Laid.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

With a Pen – Cob Pair… the Cob Protects their Eggs.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Pens are out EATING.. Eggs may be Lightly Covered.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.

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

MARK the Date each Pen Starts to “Sit” Full-Time.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.

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

All the Above may Contribute to Nest Mortality..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

I have TOO Many Notes of Swans that have been Killed
by these Large Roaming Canines.

You need to Note when each Pen Starts to “Sit” Full-Time.
The Two Pens will not Lay their Eggs at Exactly the Same Time..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Often this is Staggered over a Two to Three Week Period..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

This makes Timing the Eggs in ONE Nest more Challenging.

Depending on how Warm-Hot the Weather is..
many of the Unfertile Eggs will Start to Rot..
Some will Explode. They SMELL Terrible, Attract Flies..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

It is a Good Idea to Plan to use Replacement Eggs..

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

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Some Pens will Leave the Nest on their Own..
They seem to Know that their Eggs will Not Hatch.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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.

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

A few Mute Juvenile Maidens will Nest the Spring they are 22-24 Months.
Eggs Maybe..Possible, Low Occurrence..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Check for Eggs if you see a Maiden “Sitting” in One Spot
on a Pile of Gathered Sticks or a Pile of Dried Leaves..

90+% of Pens will Nest by the Age of 32-36 Months.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

There are a Few that Never Nest.. Not sure Why..

Nesting is when Females are VERY Vulnerable to Predators
and Curious People who WANT to get Close to their Nest.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Place SIGNS to Alert others to give the Nesting Swans a Safe Space..
Folks can Safely Watch with Binoculars..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

When Nesting Season is Finished Pens are Very Gentle and Easy-Going.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Female Swans are ALWAYs in Short Supply..
Take GOOD Care of Yours.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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

If One Pen Dies.. the Remaining Pen will Accept
another Female of any Age.. Or a Male..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

There may be some Adjustment:
The Resident Pen may NOT be Thrilled at First
with another Female.. Preferring a Male..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Females new to Each other will Work-out their Pecking Order..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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

Two Female Swans.. or Three or Four..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Multiple Pens will do Ok Together.. If you have a Large
Body of Water to Support more then Two Female Swans..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

We had One Situation where we Placed Four Young Females.
They were Very Cute Together..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Unfortunately, One was Grazing on the Lawn in their Fenced Area
and a Predator, likely a Raccoon went over the Fence and Killed her. VERY Sad..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

And, We know another Pond where there are Three Females
that had been together over 10 Years..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

These Pens put ALL their Spring Eggs in One BIG Nest..

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

Over the Years, we have had THREE DNA Determined Females..
RE-CHECKED to be Sure.. that Never Lay any Eggs..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Apparently, this does Occur.. According to an Avian Pathology Specialist.
So… We Arranged for Two of the Barren Pens to Live Together. (-;

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Same Sex Pairings – Males and Females may “Mate” with Each Other..
They are Releasing their Sexual Tension.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

I Hope I have NOT Forgotten Anything Important..
ASK Questions.. Feel Good about your Decision..

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

The Cygnets Above Matured into the Two Pens Below.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

The Wonderful World of Swans … Is NEVER Boring..
And You will Never Stop Learning about them.. (-;

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

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

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.

PA SwanLover Linda – UpDates   February  2024 

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

Memories of Many Sweet Mute Swan Pens.

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

We Rescued these Young Females – They were VERY ILL.. Weeks of Treatments.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs
******
SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

These Young Cuties are a Different Pair of Female Cygnets.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

Mature Pens who Grace the Waterway of a Semi-Public Park.

SWANs Same Sex Mute Female Pairs

This Mature Pair of Pens live on a Complex of Multiple Ponds. Lovely Place.

This was a Fun Pairing.. They are Sisters that Hatched a Year Apart.

It Only took a Few Minutes for these Young Females to Accept Each Other.


******

I am Sad that Covid has Put a Stop to our Visit to Swan Ponds..

******
FEMALE MUTE SWANs
Moments in Time to Remember.