Long Island’s Last Duck Farm Hit by Bird Flu, Nearly 10,000 Killed to Stem Outbreak

A Devastating Blow to the Island’s Legacy of Duck Farming

Long Island was once synonymous with “duck” in the culinary world. Now, it may lose its last commercial farm due to the avian flu outbreak that has led to the slaughter of millions of birds at U.S. poultry farms and driven up the price of eggs.

The outbreak struck the Crescent Duck Farm, leading federal officials to order the destruction of the operation’s entire flock. The farm, which has been in operation since 1908, has been the island’s only remaining duck farm for the better part of a decade.

A Multiday Culling of 100,000 Birds

Doug Corwin, whose family has owned the roughly 140-acre farm since the 1640s, said that a multiday culling of about 100,000 birds has been completed at the now-quarantined barns in Aquebogue. His remaining staff will thoroughly sanitize the facility, a process that could take months.

A Family’s Legacy at Risk

Corwin, 66, said that the family will have to reckon with the future of the fourth-generation business. “We’re just stunned right now,” he said. “It’s a very, very sad time. We’re trying our best to work our way through this, one step at a time.”

The farm’s 75-member staff has been significantly reduced, with 47 employees laid off, including many who had worked at the farm for decades. “If duck farming isn’t an option, I’m not sure what we’d do,” Corwin said. “We’re not really set up for anything else.”

A History of Duck Farming on Long Island

Long Island was once a center of duck production in the U.S., thanks to its abundance of freshwater streams, friendly climate, and proximity to major East Coast cities. During its heyday in the early 1960s, the region boasted more than 100 farms, producing up to 7.5 million birds annually, or about two-thirds of the nation’s duck output.

Facing an Uncertain Future

The farm’s future is uncertain, with Corwin saying he is reluctant to restart without federal approval for vaccinating poultry. He hopes to rebuild the farm’s flock using sanitized eggs, but is unsure how the virus entered the tightly controlled facility. “We had identified weaknesses and tightened everything up,” he said. “It wasn’t enough, I guess.”

Conclusion

The loss of the Crescent Duck Farm is a devastating blow to Long Island’s legacy of duck farming. The farm’s history dates back to the 1640s, and its closure will have a significant impact on the local economy and community.

FAQs

* What is the avian flu outbreak?
The avian flu outbreak is a highly contagious and deadly virus that has been affecting birds and poultry farms globally.
* How many birds have been affected in the United States?
At least 13 million birds have been infected in the past 30 days alone, according to the USDA.
* What is the impact on the duck farming industry?
The outbreak has led to the slaughter of millions of birds at U.S. poultry farms, driving up the price of eggs and putting many small-scale duck farms at risk of closure.
* What is the future of the Crescent Duck Farm?
The farm’s future is uncertain, with the family facing the possibility of having to close the business or find a new path forward.