donkeymom
Hatching
Hi, We take in the occasional domestic bird that gets turned in to our Wildlife Rehab Hospital. We have a Toulouse goose and a mixed domestic goose, both of whom were hit by cars on local highways. One had a badly broken wing and the other had numerous leg fractures. They live in a chicken house that we have surrounded with hurricane fencing and lined with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep the raccoons from grabbing them. The flight is covered with the same hurricane fencing and hardware cloth as we are surrounded by woods. It is a nice large chicken yard with room for everyone. In the very large chicken house (10X20), we also have my silkie chickens, and some rescue ducks. It's a mess, but I keep it clean and dry. The waterfowl prefer staying and even sleeping outside, (except for a very spoiled little runner duck) while chickens and rescue pigeons like it inside the house unless it is sunny. There is a nice sized pond we installed with a drain as the geese and ducks yuck it up on a regular basis. We are in Wisconsin, so it has a pond heater in to keep the ice off.
Here is the question. There were two juvenile mute swans turned in who were not with their parents and had been mauled by dogs. One is able to be released, but the other one had injuries so severe that a partial wing amputation had to be done. Judging by their feather and bill color, they should probably still have been with their parents. I have been asked if I would take the one who cannot be released. Like a lot of people, I absolutely adore swans, and really want this one. What do you think the odds are that it will get along with the residents? I am hoping that since it is single and young, that it will adapt to the rest of the birds. I am planning on putting in an even larger pond this spring. It eats from the hands of the people at the rehab facility. It was operated on January 18, so it won't be long that it should be recovered enough to come home. My waterfowl eat Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance, romaine, and any pigeon feed, corn, and chicken feed they feel like scarfing up. Would this be okay for the swan, too?
I really appreciate all input. It is a very peaceable chicken house and yard even with 7 roosters (silkies are lovers, not fighters), and I'd like to keep it that way.
Thanks so much.
Donna
Here is the question. There were two juvenile mute swans turned in who were not with their parents and had been mauled by dogs. One is able to be released, but the other one had injuries so severe that a partial wing amputation had to be done. Judging by their feather and bill color, they should probably still have been with their parents. I have been asked if I would take the one who cannot be released. Like a lot of people, I absolutely adore swans, and really want this one. What do you think the odds are that it will get along with the residents? I am hoping that since it is single and young, that it will adapt to the rest of the birds. I am planning on putting in an even larger pond this spring. It eats from the hands of the people at the rehab facility. It was operated on January 18, so it won't be long that it should be recovered enough to come home. My waterfowl eat Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance, romaine, and any pigeon feed, corn, and chicken feed they feel like scarfing up. Would this be okay for the swan, too?
I really appreciate all input. It is a very peaceable chicken house and yard even with 7 roosters (silkies are lovers, not fighters), and I'd like to keep it that way.
Thanks so much.
Donna