Swans will imprint on people if not raised with other swans. Imprinting means that it will begin to think it is a human instead of a swan and will become overly friendly with people, predators, etc., which will be extremely dangerous for the bird. Secondly, if it grows up with just you and something happens to you, who else will provide it with the same level of love and care you are providing? Swans can live up to 30 years.

Lastly, giving a bath should be restricted to approximately 15 minutes at a time and the cygnet watched closely so it does not get drenched so much that it can drown. This water time can be increased as they cygnet ages. The cygnet then should be gently towel dried and allowed to preen and dry itself, but in a very dry and warm environment. The cygnet should be provided with poultry layer pellets, finely cracked corn and finely chopped lettuce.

Now, having said all of this, if you still want to raise the cygnet, then you should seriously consider getting another cygnet to raise with it so that they will bond and have each other which will help diminish the imprinting. The cygnets will grow very quickly and within 12 weeks will be getting to the point that they will want more and more water time.

They will also start stamping their feet and screaming at the top of their lungs to demand food, water time, etc., which means if you cannot deal with constant peeping (to let you (mom) consistently know where they are and the constant and frequent temper tantrums, then you should seriously consider giving them to a breeder so that they can learn to be swans. The Regal Swan