Swan Expert

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  • in reply to: DVD’s #210897
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Chris

    The DVD you are referring to was filmed in 1998 and listed under the history of The Regal Swan. The DVD has since been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Where to buy white mute swans in California? #210527
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi

    For many years, there was a breeder in California, but we believe he stopped breeding swans and has since retired. The reason no one ships to California is because California deems Mute Swans as invasive and basically, requires a permit, especially for breeding pairs. You may be grandfathered in for ownership, but if you import a swan or get an opposite gendered swan and produce cygnets, you will need to get a permit and register with Calif. Dept. Wildlife. You are much better letting your swan live among ducks, geese and wildlife and spare the paperwork. Swans can live by themselves with no problem. Even if you get another swan, there are no guarantees that they will accept each other and then you will need to find a home for the new swan. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: A lonely swan in the park #210496
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Lola

    If the lone swan is not entering the pond, he is scared of the dominant swan. This means that he is not eating, bathing, or drinking. Eventually, he will get stressed and sick. Do you have someone in the area that has swans, is a swan/wildlife rehabber? The swan needs to be relocated to a better home without predators? Where are you located? If you can give us more info, please do so at Bolin.S@att.net and we may be able to find someone to take the swan. Unfortunately, since you have a mating pair, this issue is going to be a recurring one every year as the cygnets will be chased from the pond. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: laying periods #210044
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Simon

    Yes, all swan species, except the Australian Black Swans nest and produce cygnets once a year. Australian Black Swans nest and produce cynets in the spring and late summer/fall. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Water aggression #209256
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Brooklyn

    If they were both males, it is highly unlikely that they would have not exhibited aggressive behavior from the first time the new swan arrived. You may have 2 young swans that have no idea what they are doing. Mating season is over for this season and won’t begin again until spring

    Do you have access to a boat? If the aggresive behavior continues, you may have to intervene as the swan that is in “jail”, may not be able to feed, enter or exit water and become stressed leading to injury or illness. The other swan could seriously injure the swan.

    If you have access to a boat or several kayaks, you might want to harrass the new swan so that it leaves the area. If it feels threatened by being chased ( do not chase to the point of over stressing the bird, but just enough to let it know it is not welcomed, it should leave. Do not feed while the new swan is around to discourage its staying. Please let us know how this progresses. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Pink Feather Flamingo Syndrome #206387
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Jennifer

    We were the original team that collaborated with His Majesty’s Swan Marker, Mr. David Barber, His Majesty’s Swan Warden, Dr. Christopher Perrins and Wendy Hermon,Swan Support in England regarding Pink Feather Syndrome. Through DNA Sequencing, we were able to show the cause is bacterial in nature, affects the uropygial oil (preen) gland and washing with Dawn Dish Soap (U.S.), Fairy Liquid (U.K), will help alleviate the problem in difficult cases. You will need to capture the affected swan and its mate, bathe them in Dawn Dish Soap and rinse thoroughly. We suggest you treat both swans not only to prevent the possible spread of the condition, but also to prevent depression in the swans from being separated as treatment may take up to 2 weeks.

    Towel dry and use blow dryer to help with feather drying after bathing the swans. Place the swans in a safe dry area to preen and finish drying their feathers as the bacterial load can affect waterproofing of the feathers leading to a potential case of pneumonia or drowning. Repeat the washing every several days (usually up to 2 weeks) and monitor to see that the condition is improving and the swans are totally dried before releasing back to pond. Usually, 2 days after bathing, thoroughly drying and preening by the birds is sufficient to replace the natural oils from the preen gland allowing the return of the birds to the pond.

    In England, the swans are susceptible to lead poisoning which makes the Pink Feather Syndrome even more difficult to treat.

    We were also the first researchers to research and establish normal hematological parameters for swans. Should you need this information for further bloodwork to help eliminate possible infections, please contact us at Bolin.S@att.net and we can send you the information. We hope this information is of benefit. Please do not hesitate to contact us if further assistance is needed. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Cygnet picking on sibling #205255
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Sue

    Normally, there are two reasons that anyone of the same family is picking on another. The first reason may be that both cygnets are males and there is a sibling rivalry.

    The second reason may be that something is wrong with the cygnet that is being harrassed. It is normal in nature to try to banish a sick or injured member to prevent disease from spreading to the entire flock or being subjected to predation.

    The key to your situation is to watch the parent swans. If they are still allowing the chased cygnet to feed and stay with the family, then we would not worry too much and let the rivalry play out as long as no one gets hurt.

    Is the swan that is being chased the younger sibling or the runt of the brood? This again, would be somewhat normal behavior as most younger siblings get picked on by older siblings. We hope this information is of benifit. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: How do I protect my swans #200602
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Juliana

    We are so sorry for your loss. The coyote issue is actually the easier to solve. You would need to enclose the pond with a 6 foot fence with a barrier at the top of the fence bending outward so nothing could use the fence to climb over and into the pond. The bottom of the fence would need to be sunk into the ground aporoximately 2 feet with chicken wire placed under the fence, extending 2 feet inside and 3 feet outside the fence, covered with dirt. The chicken wire must be used around the entire perimeter of the fence so nothing can dig under the fence.

    Snapping turtles are a difficult issue as you would have to find and remove any large turtles. You would probably need some wildlife permit for removal and would need to hire a licensed wildlife trapper for assistance.

    Venomous snakes are the most difficult because they can enter, exit and habitate an area and you may not be aware of their presence.

    We are not sure where you are located, but,$2250 a pair seems rather expensive. We know Bob Knox deals in swans and a pair are not that expensive 847-875-3947.

    Now, having said this, your male swan is fine with or without another swan. Do Not place another male swan in the pond because they will fight, seriously injure each other to the point one or both could be killed. Male swans usually, not always, but usually do not re-pair with another female once something happens to their old mate. This is an individual attribute, but you would have to build a pen, (again enclosed top to bottom, no steep entrance to the pond, half in water and half on ground) with feeder inside. The female needs to stay in the pen for approximately 2 weeks to see if the male is going to accept her. Any signs of defensiveness towards her will mean you will need to see if the seller will take her back or you will need to find her a new home.

    The best thing to do is to leave the male alone. Introducing another swan(s) that are not familiar to your pond, increases the chance of coyote/snapping turtle encounter. Introduce some other waterfowl such as small geese or ducks to the pond. Even though he does not have a mate, during nesting season, he will become more defensive of his territory due to hormones and may chase the other waterfowl, especially if they have young and try to protect their family.

    Finally, if you live in the U.S., you will be responsible for any offspring of a Mute Swan that may be produced by a mating pair. You must have the cygnets pinioned (rendered unable to fly) at 1-3 weeks of age. If the parents chase them from your pond for the next breeding season, you will be responsible for finding them a good home. Selling them or giving them back to just any breeder would not be an acceptable good home, but may become necessary. Just make sure your breeder(seller) is reputable. Once you have a mating pair on your property, you may be considered as a breeder under some state laws and you will need to have a breeder’s permit. A pair of Mute Swans can produce 1-8 cygnets a year. If the parents begin chasing them, do you have an alternative plan for cygnet placement elsewhere? Now, you see why we maintain that you and your male swan are better with no other swan being introduced to your habitat.

    Federal and state U.S. wildlife officials wrongly assess Mute Swans as non-native and invasive (which research shows they are a Sentinel species and native). These wildlife officials have the intent of killing Mute Swans in the U.S., so they can free habitats for introduction of the larger Trumpeter Swans for Trophy Waterfowl Hunting purposes. Trophy Waterfowl hunting permits are more expensive and increase revenue for wildlife budgets. So, you must be careful in maintaining your swan(s) to prevent wildlife officials from placing undue hardships on you for possession and maintenance. We hope this information is of benefit. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Spraddle leg #173773
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Kari

    This could be any number of causes, i.e., the parent swans or other waterfowl accidently stepped on him, some type of injury from entering or exiting the water or neurological caused by lack of Vitamin A in the diet ( cracked corn) or other issue such as fungus, parasite, bacteria or viral. The best thing to do is to have him looked at immediately by an experienced avian/ waterfowl veterinarian. If it is spraddle leg, this must be treated immediately, or the outcome is not good, especially surgery. The use of bands to keep the legs together has been used, but better results seem to be the use of a cup in which a young bird is placed in a cup so that the legs are kept together and basically immobilized until the legs get stronger and grow in tbeir natural position. This may take a few days to a week for the condition to improve. The major point is to have a soft pad under the bird so that it does not rub against the rim of the cup and cause an injury. You might google this procedure to see how it is properly done. We hope this information is of benefit. The Regal Swan

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Swan Expert.
    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Swan Expert.
    in reply to: MR #173257
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Edward

    Many people see a swan’s defensive behavior as aggressiveness, which it is not. The swan is in a defensive (protective) mode of its family and sees anyone or anything in his habitat as a threat. The best thing to do is to place a barrier around the family’s nest or immediate habitat. You do not want anything to happen to any member of the swan family by someone chasing or striking out at the birds. Once the cygnets mature, the hormones from the parents will return to normal and they will be less defensive.

    The barrier should be one in which the swan’s can be protected by errant golf balls, and can impede their visual range beyond their immediate area as well as prevent them from accessing outside their normal range. Ensure that the barrier does not impede the family’s access to food or water. This is all normal behavior during the nesting season.

    If the male swan is overly defensive at other times, it means that he has had a bad experience with one of the golfers or another human who may have intentionally mistreated him, etc. If this is the case, then you might want to make a permanent inaccessible barrier/area for the swans so no further interactions with the swans are possible. You should also inform the golfers about the swan family and to avoid interactions when possible. Again, you want to protect people as well as the swans. However, be cognizant that other golf courses and facilities have had intoxicated golfers and guests intentionally harm or kill their swans. All visitors and golfers need to know that any intentional harm to the swan family will be prosecuted heavily by your facility and back your actions if necessary. The Regal Swan

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Swan Expert.
    in reply to: Ramps #172162
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Matt

    Great question. The ramp would need to be away from any hydraulics and in an area that the birds would readily see as a “platform” to exit the water. There are no set rules on the size of the ramp, but it needs to be at least 3 feet in width so the birds do not get injured sliding off the ramp. The slope needs to be in increments, i.e. gradually accessing the bank so it again, is not so steep that the birds slide down. You can make this ramp out of wood or other such material that is not expensive and not abrasive or slippery when wet. If you provide a small platform on the water, with zero entrance to the platform, i.e., the. Birds can readily float onto the platform, they may actually use the plarform as a take-off point from the spillway and possibly not use the ramp. However, not knowing your size issue, we really can’t advise much more than this potential solution. Could you please email us at Bolin.S@att.net and send us several different views of your spillway area? We may be able to offer a reasonable and cost effective solution that will be a practical application for the birds. The Regal Swan

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Swan Expert.
    in reply to: too many swan #170919
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Peter

    Unfortunately, the link to Facebook that you posted is not showing up. It states to go to newsfeed but we are still unable to find the post. So, at this time we cannot answer your question. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Swan identification tag replacements #166491
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Maura

    We’re not sure where you get the leg band replacements. You might contact the person who gave you the swans. If that is not possible, contact Bob Knox at info@canadiangoosecontrol.com or 847-875-3947. He may have some leg bands or know where to get them. The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Breeder #166470
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Jane

    We work mainly with Bob Knox. He is very reputable and cares deeply about his swans. Additionnaly, he works with swan owners and keepers to ensure that the swans have every chance of positively transitioning to a good home. He does ship swans overseas. His contact number is 847-875-3947. If you want to email: info@canadiangoosecontrol.com

    The Regal Swan

    in reply to: Young swan ‘stuck’ in false preening position #166111
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi MJ

    I’m not sure what may be causing this position. It could be a neurological issue. In any case, we urge that the swan be captured and transported to a veterinarian. The Regal Swan

    • This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Swan Expert.
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 106 total)