Swan

[cucumbers]

This is a serious requestand not a sick joke. Does anyone know if it is possible to buy , or obtain ( not illegally ) a swan for human consumption. This is not for the obvious but the croud at the pub were debating it and nobody new for sure. The general concensus of opinion was that as most of the swans in this country are looked after by royalty, an oxbridge university or some titled lady landowner then it is not possible to obtain one. Any offers ?

[chijiki]

Ownership of all unmarked Mute swans in open water in the UK has been the monarch's since medieval times when the crown claimed that right. This is asserted by the swan-upping ceremony that takes place in July.
All wild swans in the UK are protected birds including the Bewicks, Whooper and Mute, however, captive bred Whoopers can be sold.
A large swan will weigh about 4kg when prepared for the table and only yield about 2kg of meat. The meat is generally a little tough and has a gamy goose flavour.
So, yes, for the curious it is possible to buy, and eat, swan in the UK but will probably be a disappointment.

[Cetti]

To add a bit more : The largest herd of privately owned swans (1,000 ) is at Abbotsbury, Dorset. The swans have been there for 600 years, starting off as food for the nearby monastery, and are now owned by the Ilchester Estate. These beautiful birds are for looking only - not tasting ;-)

[Roxy]

Wish I was part of your pub crowd

[Aquinas]

Further to the information above. The Worshipful Companies of Vitners and Dyers also own swans (with one and two notches on their bill respectively as I recall).