Can you capture the swan and place it in your garage or a shed overnight until you can find a wildlife/waterfowl rehabilitation center that might keep it through the winter? Michigan is a state that is culling (killing) mute swans so you may have some trouble finding someone with a no kill shelter. Whatever you do, you must make sure that the facility is not going to kill the bird once you turn it over to them.

If you can capture the swan and place it inside your garage, a shed or a bathroom, at least it will not freeze, drown because it cannot get onto the ice, starve or be attacked from a predator walking onto the ice.

Line your bathroom or garage with sheets or towels and place the swan inside. Place a bowl filled with water, 1/2 cracked corn and 1/2 of poultry layer pellet beside the swan. Add lettuce and some bread to the bowl of food and walk away. A swan in an unusual habitat may not eat with you around. It may take a while, but it will eventually eat.

If you can house it until you can find a temporary home, take it inside. If you cannot find a temporary home, please call us and we will see if we can intervene. The Regal Swan