Top Tips for Swan Health

How to help our swans

Swans, Britain’s Royal Birds, need our help and protection in order to prevent their numbers from rapidly declining. They are stunning, majestic animals and are the largest bird within Anserinae family, which includes ducks and geese.

What should I feed to swans?

Feeding bread to swans and ducks is a fun pastime for many of us, recollective of happy childhood trips to the local park. But, did you know that there are a lot healthier alternative options to bread, which are much more suited to a swan’s health and beneficial to the environment?

WildThing’s #BetterThanBread campaign aims to raise awareness surrounding the fact that bread is not the best food source to be feeding to swans or ducks, and that there are many healthier alternatives including frozen peas, sweetcorn or lettuce leaves and of course, Webbox Swan & Duck Food.

Bread can make swans and ducks feel very bloated and which can prevent them from eating further foods which provide a better source of nutrition. In addition to this, uneaten bread allows bacteria to breed and attracts vermin and is therefore bad for the environment.

What to do if I find a baby swan?

Swans are vigilant parents. If you see a young baby swan (also known as a cygnet), found alone, this could mean that it is orphaned. As with many young animals, baby swans are vulnerable. If you find one that you are sure is orphaned, approach safely and put it into a cardboard box that contains a clean cloth.

You should then contact a reputable swan rescue agency who will provide you with advice on how to care for it until they are able to collect it.

Should I handle a sick or injured swan?

If you suspect that a swan is sick or injured, you should contact the RSPCA, SSPCA, USPCA or a reputable swan rescue agency. Rather than to attempt to handle a distressed swan yourself unless absolutely necessary.

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