Long Island’s last duck farm, Crescent Duck Farm, is set to close after an avian flu outbreak led to the slaughter of its flock. The outbreak caused the culling of about 100,000 birds at the farm in Aquebogue, leaving the property quarantined while officials work to rebuild it. Owner Doug Corwin mentioned that his family’s operation, which has been operating since the 1640s, is now facing a tough financial and emotional reality as they lay off staff and deal with the loss of their remaining ducks. The farm once stood as a symbol of Long Island’s thriving duck farming industry but has declined significantly over the years due to rising costs, stricter regulations, and suburban sprawl. Before the outbreak, Crescent Duck Farm supplied nearly 4% of all ducks sold in the U.S., including many high-end restaurants on the East Coast. Corwin emphasized that the farm’s survival relies heavily on preserving its signature duck quality—thick meat and skin to keep them tender during cooking. To help rebuild their flock, the farm is holding onto duck eggs, which will be tested for safety before hatching elsewhere. However, without federal approval for vaccination—which larger farms oppose due to global sales concerns—small operations like Crescent Duck Farm remain at risk of total collapse. Corwin expressed regret over how the outbreak might have entered the tightly controlled facility but acknowledged the farm’s strict protocols in an effort to prevent the spread of avian flu. The situation highlights a broader challenge: smaller poultry farms are increasingly struggling without the ability to vaccinate, making them vulnerable to sudden health crises like this one.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/duck-farm-long-island-bird-flu-outbreak-05de4befe20499595d52ad1e223dad06