Unfortunately, the swans will not use this facility on their own. There are a couple of issues with the swan house.

Swans do not usually enter a structure on their own or like anything over their heads. This means that you will physically need to carry them into the structure to get them used to it or make it enticing for them to use.

The opening needs to face the lake as any predators can access the swans which is one of the main reasons that swans do not like to have an enclosed structure over their heads (they cannot hear or see danger). Or, you must have a door that can be closed so predators cannot access the swans.

In order to entice the swans to go into the structure, you would need to dump food in and around the structure, but this will make it extremely dangerous for the swans.

If the swans were to go into the structure, even 2x2 opening, so could a fox, coyote, raccoon, domestic dog or cat. The swans would literally be sitting ducks.

How many swans do you have? If there are only 2 for instance, you will have less issues than if you have a group of swans as the alpha swan will fight with the other swans in an enclosed setting.

If you are using the structure as a shelter at night or during inclement weather, then we would suggest that you devise a plan to teach the swans to enter the structure an hour before sunset and release the swans back out on the lake an hour after daybreak. This time period is when predators hunt for food and they are much more apt to be active during the winter months due to the scarce food sources.

This means that you place fresh food and water inside the structure prior to bringing the swans inside and fashioning a door which predators cannot access. You can also place straw inside the structure for warmth, but need to also consider pest control against rats and ants. DO NOT USE INSECTICIDES OR PESTICIDES in or around the water or food source.

Now, if you teach the swans to use this structure, they may want to nest in the structure when the time comes, which will present another set of issues because you will need to allow the swans access to the water during the daytime. However, the swans may not want to leave because of the nest and the eggs/cygnets.

So, we have a couple of suggestions.

1. Revise the opening of the structure to be bigger with a door that can be closed and inaccessible to predators. This will prevent you from having to reconfigure the opening to face the lake. The door will afford protection for the swans and will give you access without having to go into the water to access the structure.

2. Place food in and around the structure to allow the swans to acclimate themselves to the structure. YOU MUST monitor this acclimation very closely so that predators in the area are not attracted to the swans while they are nosing around the new structure. One sighting of a predator around the structure will mitigate the swans even thinking about using the structure.

3. Train the swans to come inside prior to sunset and allow them back onto the lake after daybreak.

The only other alternative is to forget the structure and use natural barriers such as mounds of dirt (i.e., an island) , straw, shrubbery etc., to block the wind and assist in inclement weather. This suggestion will work only if there are no predators in your area, the swans sleep in the water and not on the banks (DO NOT RELY ON THIS, because swans will sometimes rest and sleep on the bank at night leaving themselves open to predation), and if your pond does not freeze.

Swans are picky about what the will or will not use, but like any animal, you can train them to use certain areas as long as they do not feel like they are going to be constantly confined. We hope that this information is of benefit. Should you have more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. The Regal Swan