Ask the Swan Specialist

In Response To: Questions about captive mute swans (connie)

I live in a retirement community in AZ with about 35 swans on assorted ponds through out are seven golf courses. Our governing board has not allowed eggs to hatch the last three years by gathering them and hard boiling them. I have a few questions that I hope you can help with.

How much food does a pinioned adult mute swan require, and how often should they be fed?

What are the pros/cons of pinioning the cygnets?

What is the market for potential cygnets?

Finally, can the pinioned swans fly at all? The claim by our golf maintenance is that they can fly up to twenty feet, but I have only witnessed them skimming the water as they attempt to get airborne (they do the type of pinioning that only removes the lower portion of the wing).

We have lost four swans in two months to coyotes and we are hoping they will at least have a chance if they can fly. Do they stay around if they can fly but have a steady food source?

I apologize for so many questions, thanks in advance for the help.
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