Talk to me about Swans. NOW with Pictures

[justusnak]

I haven't been on the site in a while, just life getting crazy and the rescue going in full swing. However, I now find myself possibly needing to take in ONE female swan. I know nothing about her, or swans at all for that matter. Can I put her in with the Goose and runner ducks?? Or maybe with the turkeys? Or will she need to be by herself? Will she fly over my 4 ft fence? Does she have to be on the pond or will a kiddie pool suffice for now? Feeding...is layer pellets for my chickens ok? Or will she need primarily grains? I am not even sure if I will be getting her for sure, she is at the vet right now, being cared for from a head injury. I Dont know the full extent, or if there was a male or not. I am trying to find that out, I know they do mate for life, right? HELP!! LOL

 

[kuntrygirl]

 

[chickenzoo]

There are a few things that differ in Swans.... Flying ability depends if she was pinioned or not, if not they are very good flyers. If pinioned then no, they won't typically go over a fence. I would not house her with chickens, turkey or the like - Swans can be bossy to other fowl and also other fowl can carry diseases or parasites that can be harmful to them. Turkey can also be bossy to them and hurt them or vis versa. Mine get a layer or flock raiser, some dog food and some crane pellets or horse pellets... as they snack in others food. A kiddie pool would do for now. They do mate for life, but males sometimes play the field ... but she would require a friend. White swans are more standoffish when it comes to personality then the Black swans and also are more territorial.

 

[KansasKid]

If you have a pond that the swan can have access to it is preferred to let her have access to it over the kiddie pool. If not try and make some sort of ramp or something to make it easier for the swan to get in and out of.

 

[chickenzoo]

You'd be surprised what they can jump into...... Mine get into the horses water troughs...... Even thou they have a makeshift mini pond.

 

[justusnak]

Thanks for the replies. The Swan is coming today. I have a smalish pen set up for it....a temporary pen.( 8 x 20) It has a house, and a cover over the yard. I have flock raiser..and cat/dog food and all stock. I will eventually move it to a larger pen, as soon as I can get it covered. This swan was in flight, and hit a power line, so it has been at the Avian vets for a few days, and is now being released to me for rehab. It will spend the winter here, and come spring, if it so desires to leave, I will let it go. I have a small pond, but it is not fenced..and we have coyotes, and feral dogs about, so I can not let it on the pond for now, since it can not protect itself. Thank you to all who have replied.

 

[chickenzoo]

It may be best to find it a permant placement with someone with swans, as in many states now they are so overpopulated they have become tagged as a nuisance animal and are shot or nests destroyed.

 

[KansasKid]

Quote:
Assuming that is is a mute swan.

If it is a tundra swan or trumpeter they are protected.

 

[justusnak]

I didn't get to look at her too well, she was so scared and didn't want to come from the crate. I placed her in the barn in a stall, completely fenced so she can't get out. She is a Mute Swan. White with the black on her face around the bill. She also has some grey mottling in her feathers, so I am assuming she is young. Tomorrow I will be able to get a better look at her, and will get pics. Thanks.

 

[chickenzoo]

Quote:
Assuming that is is a mute swan.

If it is a tundra swan or trumpeter they are protected.

Whoops, I thought I said mute swan......my mind wonders......