The best age would be around 1 year of age so that the pair can bond. However, if you do not want to worry about cygnets (because you will be responsible for pinioning and finding a new home if the golf club does not want the cygnets as they get older), then purchase 2 males or 2 females. Believe us, you will have less headaches by not placing a breeding pair on the pond.

Keep them on the property by placing them in a pen (1/2 in the water 1/2 on the bank) with a feeder inside. Keep them in the pen for at least 2-3 weeks until they understand that the pond is their habitat and you will be responsible for feeding them at the feeder. You will need to drop food at the bottom of the feeder at first to show them that the food is in the feeder and they need to open the door (Blitz dog feeder). Until they learn that they can open the door themselves, keep dropping food. But, also have food in the feeder so that even if they accidently open the door they will associate the door with food.

After they have learned to use the feeder and have been in the pen around 2-3 weeks, remove the pen leaving the feeder. Keep feeding them (lettuce and bread although not too much bread as it can change their blood sugar), at the feeder or the bank where the pen used to be. Once they associate their food area, they will be more prone to stay at the habitat.

Ensure that their feeder and habitat is not in the line of fire from a golf ball otherwise, you will be replacing these swans.

Contact Jack Long's Exotic Bird & Waterfowl (Point Reyes Station, CA (415-663-1650) as this breeder is a California breeder of swans. Hope this information helps. The Regal Swan