You are doing everything correctly. Just make sure that the straw/bedding is mucked daily so that no mold grows and she should be fine. Keep her indoors until the majority of the lake thaws and the weather is warming. Otherwise, she can drown, get stuck on the ice, freeze (Black Swans are a southern hemisphere swan so they need to be protected from harsh winter temperatures), or be attacked by a predator that can walk onto the ice.

Just make sure she is warm, has ample ventilation, lots of love and food. Also, lightly spray her with warm water to keep her preening so that her uropygial oil (preen) gland keeps working.

Two to three days before releasing her back onto the pond, completely submerge her in a sink or trough of water. Make sure she is soaking wet, lightly dry her with a towel and let her preen herself dry. You must provide this soaking so that she has time to clean and preen her feathers with the oil so that she is water repellent. If you do not do this procedure 2-3 days prior to releasing her on the pond, she can drown. You also want to watch her closely when you first release her to make sure that she can get out of the water and is able to float. We hope this information is of benefit. The Regal Swan
« Hide