How to Raise Black Swans? Breeding Methods and Key Technical Points
The black swan is a kind of goose and an important member of the swan family. It likes to grow in lakes, coasts and other places. Because its rearing method is simple and its disease resistance is strong, it is widely bred. So how do you raise black swans?
1. Site selection and building shelters
Black swans like to grow in relatively open waters such as reservoirs, ponds and rivers, so when choosing a site, try to choose a place with natural waters and dense aquatic plants for breeding. After choosing the site, enclose the surrounding area with protective fencing to prevent escape.
2. Rearing methods
Black swans have two rearing methods: natural free-range rearing and penned rearing.
(1) Natural free-range rearing: generally, stocking 1 pair of breeding swans per 100 sq m of water area is suitable. Around the pond, plant some aquatic plants and trees according to the season, and then carry out regular disinfection. Generally, spread 50 kg of fresh lime powder or 20 kg of bleaching powder per mu of water surface. In addition, after the annual autumn molt is complete, 5-6 primary flight feathers must be cut manually to prevent escape by flying.
(2) Pen housing: generally, building a pen of about 30 sq m is suitable, with a water pool inside of about 10 sq m and a water depth of about 60 cm; keeping one pair of breeding swans per pen is sufficient.
3. Feeding requirements
Black swans generally eat aquatic plants and water algae near the water's edge. If raised artificially, they can be fed some green feed, fish meal, bone meal, etc.
4. Incubation
Black swans are monogamous, and after successfully pairing they stay together for life. They generally reach sexual maturity at around 20 months, and thatch, straw, etc. must be placed in the breeding area for them to build nests. After the nest is successfully built, the breeding swans can lay eggs. Eggs are generally laid within 1-2 weeks after mating, about 8 per clutch. After laying a clutch, the black swans begin incubating, with the male and female taking turns; during this period, do not disturb them artificially.
5. Chick management techniques
(1) Temperature requirements: from 1 day to 7 days after hatching, black swans are kept at 35°C-32°C, then lowered by 1°C-2°C each week, gradually dropping to natural temperature. Whether the temperature is suitable depends on the mental state of the chicks.
(2) Disease prevention: within 24 hours after hatching, inject 0.5 ml of gosling plague serum subcutaneously in the neck.
(3) Feeding: 30 hours after hatching, the chicks can drink warm boiled water, with antibiotics added to the water for 3 days of drinking. Feed is given 2 hours after the first drink, with 6-7 feedings per day of meat-type chick feed, and free access to drinking water.