Ask the Swan Specialist

Re: questions on swan maintainence
By:The Regal Swan
Date: 26 August 2012
In Response To: questions on swan maintainence (Diane)

Hi Diane:

Congratulations, you have an imprinted swan who now thinks it is a person and you are its mate! At least he has someone to trust. Swans need water to eat and bathe, although they can go 2-3 weeks without a swim as long as they are showered with a (not too cold or hot) garden hose spray. Swans do usually migrate for the winter, but if he is unable to fly, it means that you will need to keep him sheltered for the winter. A garage, shed, any enclosed facility where they are no chemicals, gas or chance that a predator can get to him will work. You will also need to provide a food source that will not attract pests such as rats or ants.

Swans continually eat aquatic vegetation and captive swans should be fed supplementally year round with a 1/2 mix of cracked corn and poultry layer pellets. This mixture should be placed at the bottom of the pond, in a feeder or a bowl if being fed indoors. The mixture should be placed at the bottom of the bowl. Depending on the size of the bowl, a handful of mixture should be used and replenished as needed. Water should fill the bowl and be approximatley 3/4 water and 1/4 food. This will prevent choking as swans need water to swallow and feed. The mixture should be replenished once you can no longer see the food at the bottom of the bowl. Fresh water and food should be changed once in the morning and once at night.

We hope this information is of benefit. The Regal Swan

Messages In This Thread

questions on swan maintainence -- Diane -- 26 August 2012
Re: questions on swan maintainence -- The Regal Swan -- 26 August 2012