Domestic ducks and geese are FARM animals, but many people treat them like disposable trash once they outgrow their cute and fuzzy duckling/gosling stage. Some
people make the false assumption that since these birds have feathers, they can survive equally as well as Mallard ducks and  Canada geese in the wild. But that's not
true..

Why Dumping Domestic Ducks and Geese is Cruel:

  • Abandoning domestic animals, including farm animals, is ILLEGAL.

  • Domestics are bred flightless, or with very minimal flight capability. This means that when the cold weather hits, they are stuck wherever they were dumped, to
    slowly starve to death as natural food sources diminish. The ONLY way they have a chance of surviving is if they receive food handouts  from people everyday. This
    doesn't mean that you can dump your birds on wild water sources and expect OTHER people to care for them. There are other dangers too!

  • Domestics do NOT have the survival instincts of their wild counterparts. Many domestics are preyed upon shortly after winter hits when water sources freeze and
    their safety zones  transform to ice.  Don't get angry at WILDLIFE that prey on them-they are only doing what is natural to them. Instead, get angry at the
    irresponsible person that dumped defenseless farm animals illegally!

  • Domestics can literally get stuck in the ice as lakes freeze in around them. Many breeds of domestics, like Pekins, are bred for food. They are heavy-bodied birds
    that often have difficulty jumping out of the water onto ice sheets.

  • Domestics can interbreed with wild flocks causing genetic problems such as hybridized half wild-half domestic birds without flight ability. This can be a
    conservation issue.

  • Domestics can introduce disease to wild populations of birds.

  • Domestics abandoned on wild water sources contribute to overpopulation of birds especially at parks where water sources quickly become polluted due to
    unnaturally high numbers of birds that never leave. This can lead to outbreaks of botulism, causing birds to get sick and die.

How You Can Make a Difference

  1. If you see a domestic bird get dumped, try to get a description of the vehicle and license plate. Report them to your local law enforcement. Remember, dumping
    domestics IS illegal in most states. Some authorities might not be educated on this issue. Don't hesitate to point them to your local ordinance and explain the
    problem. Too many people ignore the situation and the irresponsible people who do this never get educated-at the bird's expense.
  2. Don't ignore domestics that get dumped! It is always easiest to re-capture birds soon after they have been abandoned versus waiting until winter hits. Trying to
    capture birds under emergency circumstances (on ice) once they've become more wild-acting should be an absolute last resort and poses safety risks.
  3. But I'm not prepared to adopt ducks! That's okay. If you cannot keep the bird(s), place them in a safe, enclosed area of your yard, or garage and start calling
    rescues. See the link to the "Duck Rescue Network" below for resources.
  4. Remind people that domestic birds cannot fly, and will not survive in the wild. Ask your local feed stores (that sell ducklings and goslings) if you can post an info
    sheet to remind shoppers that birds are LIFELONG responsibilities. Complain to a store manager if a store is unwilling to allow people to be educated.
  5. Write a letter to the editor or an editorial on this topic, especially during spring when ducklings are sold at high rates.
  6. DONATE to domestic bird sanctuaries like A.S.K's to help us offset the lifelong costs associated with caring for previously discarded birds.


Resources

Bread Feeding is Bad Handout

A.S.K.'s Domestic Duck and Goose Care Sheet

Interested in Adopting Domestics?  

Duck Rescue Network: Care Tips and Adoption Center

Is it a  Wild or Domestic Duck? Physical Characteristics
A.S.K.'s Ducks & Geese
99.9% of the birds that A.S.K. has
rescued  were  abandoned. Most
were suffering from nutritional
deficiencies, injuries, starvation and
other health ailments. A minority of
the birds were owner-relinquished
due to serious emergencies.
DUMPED & DISCARDED DUCK & GOOSE REFUGE
ALL SPECIES KINSHIP: DIRECT-OUTREACH ANIMAL PROTECTION
A.S.K. rescues abandoned birds from the streets of inner-city Detroit, as well as from rural
communities in southern Michigan. At A.S.K.'s Sanctuary, birds reside within a .5-1 acre
predator-proof enclosure, complete with shady sumac and apple trees.  
Did you know?? A.S.K.'s
commitment to lifelong, quality care
for ALL of our Sanctuary family
members, includes preventative and
emergency  vet care for the birds!
Flock health is important. Upon
rescue, all birds are given
preventative mite/parasite
treatments. Lifelong care is
EXPENSIVE. Since most birds were
abandoned, A.S.K. rarely receives
any donations upon intake. Your
compassionate contribution can
help us to continue to save more
birds!
Peepers, a Pekin duckling, was
languishing in an over-crowded pen at a
feed store near Detroit. She couldn't
walk and the store intended to "throw
her away." Luckily, she was rescued by
a compassionate person who called
A.S.K. for help. Peepers couldn't walk
simply due to severe nutritional
deficiencies. She required vet care,
injectable B vitamins, niacin
supplements and physical therapy. After
one month of supportive care, Peepers
is now healthy and running alongside
the rest of the flock! This photo shows
Peeper's leg and foot prior to
rehabilitation.
Blondie was found abandoned on a
dirt road in a rural Barry County. Her
mate sat next to her side, right on the
edge of the road. Her foot had
become severely infected due to an
attempted predator attack. A.S.K.
rescued both birds and immediately
had to have Blondie's foot amputated
due to the severity of infection. Blondie
is now  a part of A.S.K.'s
"special-needs" flock of disabled
birds that still live a great quality of life!
She has a foot boot that allows her to
walk with ease.