Plant the vegetation and then use a chain link fence or other type of fencing in which the swans or their cygnets cannot get their heads and necks through the fence. Plant enough vegetation to cover a good part of the pond, i.e., maybe the first half or 1/4 of the pond on 4 sides (N, E, W, South) so that if the swans begin to eat the vegetation, they eat in parts not mowing down the same area. Let the vegetation grow for about 6 months until it takes hold.

Secondly, find out if any ducks or other aquatic wildlife is feeding on the vegetation. If so, you may need to cover the fencing and vegetation to prevent ducks or other vegetation eaters from entering the fencing from the air.

Finally, feed the swans lettuce during the times that you have fenced in the vegetation so that they still have some greenery in their diets. You can also seed the pond area with rye grass (especially during the winter months) or use small areas around the habitat and plant ( non-insecticide/pesticide) petunias and grass. The birds will also eat from these salad plates.

If you mix enough vegetation throughout the habitat, on land, in the water and supplementally feed greenery to the swans as well as their other supplemental food (i.e., cracked corn and poultry layer pellets), you should have no trouble in getting vegetation to grow and prosper in the habitat. The Regal Swan