Are the swans pinioned (Can't fly)? Are they captive swans or did they find the pond on their own? What species?

We ask these questions because of various state laws regarding the keeping/maintaining of swans. If they are wild and feral (non-native Mute or Black Swans), you may need a permit to keep the swans. If the swans are native species (Trumpeter or Tundra), you may need a federal permit to keep/maintain the swans.

If they are your captive swans (pinioned and you brought them to the pond), and you do not need a permit, there are several things that you can do to make their winter more bearable.

Try to keep the swans fed with plenty of lettuce, cracked corn and poultry layer pellets. If there is a way to break the ice near a bank closest to your home, and you can keep a large area of water (approximately 10 feet in circumference from freezing, the swans may have a good chance of staying in the area.

You could keep them indoors (i.e., barn with kiddie pool and a system of feeding without rats and ants getting into the feed, then you could keep them indoors. You just need to make sure that they are eating and that they are provided with clean water.

Swans are pretty hardy birds, as nature has provided them with plenty of down and other feathers. The major issues are to have water and food and an area so that they do not fall through the ice and drown because they can't get out of the water. We hope this information helps. Good Luck. The Regal Swan