pet swan purely poultry

Swan Care

Swans are enchanting creatures and will draw admirers in their direction. They are relatively gentle in nature, but will defend their territory well.

Swan Demographics

Age

Juveniles are 6-11 months old. Yearlings are 1-3 years. Breeders are 3-6 years.

Lifespan

Can range from 10-30+ years, depending on species, protection and environment.

Shopping List

Mazuri Waterfowl Feed, a bubbler to keep water from freezing, winter housing or shelter in extreme climates.

Suggested Reading

Swan Breeding and Management

Modern Waterfowl Management

Shipping

Swans ship via Delta Cargo to your local airport. Swans ship and arrive the same afternoon or evening. We will provide an estimated arrival time and flight reference number. Be sure to check track the reference number on the Delta website several times the day they are to ship, as they may arrive earlier or later than expected. Swans will usually ship in the same crate depending on their size. The crate is normally 3 1/2 feet long and over 2 feet tall and over 2 feet wide. Timely pickup is recommended to lessen the stress on the swans. You will need to provide Delta with the flight reference number and Driver’s Licence to pick up your swans.

Release

When your swans are at their new home, simply open the crate near the water, and they will know what to do from there. Swans are pinioned so they will not fly away.

Feed and Water

We recommend Mazuri waterfowl feed, but any 13%-20% protein pellet is fine. Swans are foragers in the wild and will eat leaves, seeds, stems and tubers of submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, grasses, small invertebrates, larvae, fish and insects. Additionally, swans may be fed spinach, dark green lettuce, shredded carrots, celery, alfalfa sprouts and other vegetables. Cracked corn, brown rice, lentils and split peas are also acceptable foods.

Housing

Swans are heat and cold hardy. Swans do need a constant supply of water so an aerator can be used to keep a small area of your pond from freezing during the winter months. They do not need housing on the water and will typically completely avoid any that are provided. The recommended minimum pond size for a pair of swans is a 20’ diameter. A shelter on land should be provided. It needs a roof with walls on at least 3 sides.  The open side should not face north.

The Tundra, Trumpeter, Bewick, and Whooper swans are best for extremely cold weather. The Black swan is best for warmer climates. The Coscoroba, Australian Black, and the Black-Necked swans will need to be sheltered in the winter in colder climates.

Fencing

A minimum of 2’ fence is recommended to keep the swans contained. They do wander on occasion, sometimes during their natural migration season. Fencing will also help keep predators out. A higher or electrified fence may be appropriate depending on the predators in your area.

Predators

Grown swans and cygnets are preyed on by foxes, mink, coyotes, bobcats, and sometimes dogs. Newborn cygnets are mainly lost to crows, herons, magpies, turtles, pike and large perch.

Temperament:

Our swans are domesticated and tend to be friendly. However, this is not always the case with swans. Black swans are the most aggressive of the swan species and are territorial. The Whoopers are known to be aggressive. In breeding season, cobs of all breeds will be aggressive when protecting the females while nesting or their young. Swans will hiss and bring their wings up in a defensive posture when they feel threatened.

Mates

Swans typically mate for life. If their mate is lost, replace with one of the opposite sex. In some cases, a swan may starve themselves and pass away if no replacement is made.

Breeding

Breeding season is from early spring to late summer, depending on species. Males are responsible for building a nest and must be approved by the females before mating can begin. Nesting will occur near the water. Incubation is primarily the responsibility of the female. Parents will lead their cygnets to the water to swim and feed 24-hours after hatching.

Cohabitation

While most of the swan species can cohabitate, all wild birds have a tendency toward aggression during breeding season. It may be necessary to separate them out during this time. We recommend that you keep the Trumpeter separate from other species at all times. Swans and other waterfowl can live on the same pond together. If the pond it isn’t large enough, the swans may get territorial and chase away the other birds.

Safe Handling of Poultry

After handling poultry, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Do not let young children, elderly persons, or people with weak immune systems handle or touch live poultry. Do not snuggle or kiss your birds. You can get Salmonella from touching live fowl. Your birds can carry Salmonella and still appear healthy and clean. Regularly clean your poultry equipment.