Wanted: Homes for abandoned ducks

This is the first interview we did to round up some public support. Majestic was not yet a reality.

Spaulding Pond has 17 domesticated ducks looking for homes now that winter threatens their lives.
By AMY BETH PREISS
Norwich Bulletin

Things may be ducky now, but they may not be in a couple more weeks.

Kimberly Link of Lebanon is trying to save 17 abandoned ducks that have been living on Spaulding Pond in Mohegan Park.

The ducks, 11 Pekins and six blue Swedes, are domesticated and Links suspects someone purchased the Pekins as Easter ducklings and discarded them when they were fully grown.

"When the ducks become about two feet tall they cannot stay inside any longer," said Link, who is a rescue volunteer for Angel Wings Waterfowl Rescue. [fyi.. This organization no longer exists].

"People think they're doing a good thing when they let these types of ducks free to live with other ducks on a pond," said Link, who owns five ducks. "But these are domestic ducks. Time is of the essence. Once the weather turns and the snow comes, things will get worse and worse for the ducks there."

The ducks cannot fly and will not survive the cold. She discovered the ducks when she visited the pond in June and has seen them at each subsequent visit. As cold weather sets in, Link has stepped up her visits to twice a week to feed them.

Annual Occurrence

Link said park foreman Joe Feraco said he faces the same problem every year.

"This happens every summer," she said. "The ducks start getting big in June and that's when people start bringing them to the pond. Now that winter's coming, we want to pull them out."

The ducks eventually succumb to the cold and die from frostbite or starvation or literally get frozen in the pond, she said. Or, a predator attacks the ducks, she said.

The fowl rescue organization, based in Utah, will run photos of the rescued ducks on its Web site -- [website no longer exists]-- so those interested in providing a home for them can see what they look like. Interested people can apply online to own one of the ducks and the organization will conduct interviews with applicants to make sure the birds go to a good home.

Care

In Connecticut, ducks need to be enclosed to avoid being attacked by such predators as raccoons, coyotes, dogs and great horned owls.

During the day, Link said, the fowl need to be outside, with an enclosure that goes at least a foot underground. The area also needs a wire fence with some sort of cover. At night, it's best to house the ducks, she said. People need to beware that some animals, such as raccoons, will eat the fowl right through the fence.

"They are very susceptible to predators," Link said. "We're hoping to find another foster home to take the other five ducks that can foster them until they get homes."

The group's first rescue attempt is scheduled for Saturday.

"I know we will be able to catch a few of them easily since they were raised by people and walk right up to us for food," Link said.

Rescue

It's unlikely rescuers will be able to capture all the birds at once. They only have space to take in 12 right now. Once the first birds captured find a home, the rest can be rescued. While some of the ducks may be easier to catch than others, Link says they have a tactic in place to catch the last of the rescues. Rescuers hope to use grain to lure the ducks into the center of a four-foot chicken wire fence. Once the birds are eating, they will close the fence around them and bring them to the selected shelter.

The organization will accept donations which will be used to feed the animals. Checks can be sent to the Utah organization, which will re-route the funds to Connecticut. Send donations to Angel Wings Waterfowl Rescue. P.O. Box 27 Hyrum, Utah 84319. [AWWR no longer exist. Checks can be sent to: Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary, 17 Barker Road, Lebanon CT 06249]
 

Article originally published November 8, 2004