Black-Necked Swans Add "Class" To Farm

Black-Necked Swans Add "Class" To Farm AG WORLD 33-3-22 "They're the Cadillac of swans," says Gary Guerrero about his small flock of black-necked swans. Because they're not as prolific in captivity as other swans, they're much more expensive. Guerrero sells them for $2,000 a pair. The swans are native to South America, but can survive anywhere that has open water year round. Guerrero suggests a minimum of a 12-ft. dia. pond. The swans eat native grasses and poultry feed. The 9 to 12-lb. black-necked swan is the smallest swan that Guerrero raises. The birds reach sexual maturity at 3, and have an average life span of 10, but can live up to 30 years. A red knob (carbuncle) at the base of the upper mandible enlarges in males during breeding season. In the wild, black-necked swans are fast flyers, but those sold to collectors are pinioned (one wing clipped when they are young) so they cannot fly away. Guerrero sells black-necked swans to some zoos, but most customers have private collections. "We sell all we can get," he says. The birds are delivered by express mail or air cargo. Swans are offered at all ages, from juveniles to adult breeder pairs three years of age or older. Guerrero raises and breeds dozens of varieties of birds on 32 acres, including everything from pheasants and ducks to cranes, ibis and swans. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Animals Inc. (ph 530 269-1144; www.animalsincorporatedca.com).

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