Individual swans do not necessarily need a mate. Humans want to ensure that animals and birds are not lonesome, but this is good only in theory. There are no guarantees that the male will take another swan on the pond.

However, if you introduce him to a female immediately as you introduce him to the new pond, your chances of success increase. Also, you will need to introduce him (and her) to the new pond by penning the swans in an enclosure (with separate partitions for each swan with a feeder in each section. The pen also needs to be predator proof (half in the water and half on land) so that the swan understands that this is where it will be fed and this is the new home. Otherwise, you risk the chance that he will start walking to find his old home.

Secondly, you need to have a veterinarian sex the bird. Believe us when we tell you that what someone thinks they have is not always what they have. If the bird turns out to be a female rather than a male, placing another female on the pond can also create problems.

Thirdly, you may need a special permit from your Fish & Game Commission to possess the swan. Getting a female and having cygnets may pose further permit requirements as the cygnets will have to be pinioned at 1-3 week of age so they cannot fly. Once this happens, where are you going to put the cygnets once the parents run them from the lake? Now, you are breeding another headache.

The feeder needs to be a Blitz feeder. You can go onto this website and see a photo or go to Stromberg's which is a hatchery supply store to see a photo. The feeder is mounted on a pole. The pole is placed 3 feet from the bank so that pests (ants, rats, and other birds) cannot feed from the feeder. Feed should be 1/2 cracked corn mixed with 1/2 poultry layer pellets. Food should be checked at least 1-2 times a week so that it is not moldy due to water entering the feeder.

Supplemental lettuce and a little bread (2 hamburger buns a day max) will keep the swan happy. Good Luck. The Regal Swan