The swimming pool where they spend the day is about 50 feet away from the barn. At dusk they walk on their own to the barn, but sometimes they need a little encouragement.

Building a pen 1/2 in the water is a good idea but I hear racoons can swim. I can have them build their nest in the barn and later I can place a water container with a slope for the cygnets to swim. However my problem is how to know when they will be ready to mate so that I can put straw in the barn.

I ordered the book you have recommended. Thank you for the advice.

Allen