I recently acquired 3 baby Mute swans about 6 months old and was wondering if you could answer some of my questions.

They and their parents were raised on 50% Duck Grower and 50% Scratch (oats barely etc.) This is not what you suggest on your web site so is this feed OK?

How much and how often? At this time I am feeding them 2kg of feed with 4 grated carrots each evening and it seems to disappear before nightfall. I tried feeding Lettuce but they are not interested.

Should I continue with the same feed and amount throughout the winter? Are there other vegetables I can give to supplement their diet?

I have installed a Di Icer in the pond but am wondering what else I need to do for their comfort during the winter, I live in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.

Do swans have a "pecking order". I noticed that the same swan is always first at the feeder followed by number two then number 3. After a few mouthfuls they eat in any order but number one seems to dominate. Most of the food seems to be wasted as it sinks to the bottom of the pond as they empty their mouth in the water after taking the feed from the feeder then start to eat. Is this natural?