Muscovy Duck Ban

Frequent readers know how muscovy ducks frequent our house. They are not our ducks, but they are a regular part of the neighborhood and we do care for them. Wife and I have discussed when moving out to the country to obtain some muscovy’s and raise them. They’re pretty neat animals, and supposedly their eggs and meat are very tasty. No no… I can’t try any right now. City limits (ordinances) has issues with that, but also well…. the kids have named them and we just can’t butcher a named duck.

But I now read about a Fish & Wildlife regulation, CFR 21.54. Here’s the official FWS document. This effectively puts a kibosh on our desire to raise and farm muscovy ducks.

The interesting thing? While it was put out for public comment, no one knew about it because there was no central group of “muscovy advocacy” for FWS to contact to get the word out. So the regulation is now in effect, but because of the recent outcry they have temporarily suspended enforcement and are taking further comment.

It seems the intent of the rule is to manage feral populations. I have no problem with feral population control — I have no problem with population control in general because you have to keep things in check. However, the wording of the rule basically kills any ability to have muscovy’s as pets, to put them in poultry shows (bye bye 4-H), to privately raise them (e.g. you’re not a commercial farmer, you just want them on your own property for meat and eggs), and so on. This doesn’t help manage feral populations, but does restrict the freedoms of the citizenry.

I know you may not care about muscovy ducks as much as I do, but if you have a few moments give this page a read. It briefly explains the problem and provides people to contact to explain the problem in hopes of getting the rule properly revised to meet the goals of all involved parties.

Thanx.

Updated 9/20/2010: This morning I received a reply email from George T. Allen (that was prompt!):

John:

Thank you for your email.  The proposed regulations changes have already been approved, and I expect that they’ll publish before too long.  You’re welcome to comment on the proposed rule.  I will try to inform you and others who have contacted me about muscovy ducks when the proposed rule is open for comment.

Regards,

George

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

George T.  Allen, Ph.D., C.W.B.
Chief, Branch of Permits and Regulations
Division of Migratory Bird Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 4107
Arlington, Virginia  22203-1610
703-358-1825     fax 703-358-2272
George_T_Allen@fws.gov

Looking forward to it!