I have come into possession of 2 three-month-old cygnets. Their parents have been on a large college campus pond for 10 years. They were born June 2, making them 15 weeks old today. At 1 week old, they were taken from their parents and placed in a pen designed to house them until they were ready to be on their own. I was told this was tried as an experiment as it had been very difficult to keep cygnets alive on the larger pond, even with the mother present, for numerous years. At about two months of age, they were placed on a smaller pond during the day and put back in the pen at night. It was the intention of the original owner to release them onto the smaller pond full time at 15 weeks.

Having come into swan ownership at a later stage, I am wondering if this is the correct path to take. The cygnets are healthy, growing well, and enjoy the smaller pond they spend their days in. Should I wait longer before releasing them? I am assuming it is too late to reunite them with their mother, but is this an option in order to keep them safe?