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Need advice about baby swan that was abandoned in the nest
By:Sally
Date: 13 June 2014

My husband's family has a large farm with several large lakes. There are 7 or 8 adult swans with two nesting pairs. One nest was flooded this year and thankfully they have rebuilt in a different spot and they appear to be trying again. The other nest hatched three babies and the parents took the babies and left (they went to different lake). We have all been watching and were so sad when the first nest was flooded and very glad to see the babies hatch in the second. After the swans left with the babies, another egg hatched. We keep well back normally, but it seemed obvious that all the swans had left the nest and weren't coming back until next year (they seem to hatch them one place and raise them another). So we got the baby and he looked like he wouldn't make it (we hadn't seen a newly hatched swan-they don't look so good) but we warmed him up and he did make it! three weeks in, he seems healthy. Now what do we do? He is eating chick starter and swimming in his kiddie pool. But how do I teach him to be a swan? When do I take him back to the lakes? Is it even safe for him out there without his parents? Should I take him to a different lake? And when should he go to the lake? These are wild swans and they can fly (It's quite a site!) and very sadly once the babies start flying, if they go the wrong direction, end up dying in traffic accidents. What to do?

thanks!

Sally

Messages In This Thread

Need advice about baby swan that was abandoned in the nest -- Sally -- 13 June 2014
Re: Need advice about baby swan that was abandoned in the nest -- The Regal Swan -- 13 June 2014