The website administrator is going to send you some links/photos for the Blitz feeder. You will need to mount the feeder on a pole 3-4 feet in the water away from the bank. You do not want the swans coming near the banks at night to feed because something will feed on them. The feeders need to be at least 3-4 feet in the water so that the swans can swim into deeper water should a predator approach. The mounting of the feeder on a pole in the water will also prevent ants, rats, and other pests from trying to access the food.

The feeder itself should be mounted on at least an 8 foot galvanized metal pole (prevents rusting) and 3 feet of the pole sunk into the bottom of the pond. The bottom of the feeder should always be approximately 4-6 inches above the water. You may have to raise or lower the feeder depending on weather conditions such as drought/floods so that the birds can access the feeder. You may also have to drop the feeder a few inches if you have small juvenile swans just learning how to use the feeder as their necks will not be long enough to access the feeder.

To teach the birds how to use the feeder, fill the feeder with a half mix of cracked corn and layer pellets. Be sure to pre-mix the materials before adding to the feeder. Call the swans over and make sure that they see you place food in the top of the feeder, and then throw food at the bottom of the feeder near the door. Keep the door of the feeder slightly open with food almost falling out of the feeder. The swans will learn real quick that the food is in the feeder and will learn to push on the door. Once this has happened, you will want to remove any excess food from the door so that it will close, once again preventing other wildlife from accessing the food. We hope that you have great success. Please let us know how you are progressing.

You can also go to our website if you would like to purchase our Swan Keeper's Handbook: A Guide to the Care of Captive Swans. This will also provide you with much more detailed information regarding the swans' daily maintenance, habitat development and general veterinary medical care. Good Luck. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. The Regal Swan