It is imperative that the cygnets be captured and pinioned between 1-2 weeks of age. The older the cygnets the harder the procedure is on them and a general anesthesia (meaning general sedation) must be used. Young birds, unhealthy birds, etc., may not survive the general sedation for whatever reason. So, the earlier the procedure (which is required by most states for controlling feral swan populations from non-indigenous or captive flocks) the better for the birds.

It is also very important that the procedure be planned beforehand to include the capture, transport, the actual procedure and reintroduction back to the parents. Planning is of the utmost importance because the longer that the cygnets are kept away from their parents, the greater the possibility that the parents will refuse to take them back once they are returned. The general rule of thumb is that either capture one or both parents and transport with the cygnets or return the cygnets no later than 2 hours. Again, the longer the separation from the parents the greater possibility of abandonment by the parents. This is especially true if the parents are first time parents and bonding to offspring is being learned. The Regal Swan