swans nesting

[shebasmum]

We have a pair of swans who have made a nest in our garden,and have definately laid at least two eggs, but they do not spend too much time on the nest yet. Does this mean that she hasn't finished laying the eggs, ane therefore hasn't started incubating them yet?

[wildwood]

Lucky you!

Clutch size is 6 - 8 eggs laid every second day. Incubation starts when the second to last egg has been laid so they all hatch pretty much on the same day. Incubation period just under 5 weeks, depending on what species of swan.

Needless to say, be careful. They are temperamental sods when breeding and can deliver a surprisingly nasty blow with their wing butt.

[terambulan]

shebasmum....and if sheba is a dog, swans are not averse to attacking them during the breeding season.

[shebasmum]

yes, Sheba is a collie sized dog, and she already has a health respect for swans. We have recently rescued this pairs offspring because he had angel wing, and he lived in the garden for a month before being rehomed. It is goning to be an interesting couple of months.

[shebasmum]

Thanks wildwood, he is trying to bully us already, but we are seemingly successful in showing him who's boss. He doesn't like us stamping hard when he comes to bite our legs, and just puffs up in the water but keeps his distance from us. No doubt he will get more defensive when the eggs are hatched, if necessary we will put a little fence up round his part of the garden. The things that animal lovers have to do!!!