Long Island Duck Farm Battles Avian Flu Aftermath
Doug Corwin realized something was off during a barn inspection in January at his family’s Long Island duck farm. Within days, his operation, Crescent Duck Farm, became one of many across the U.S. forced to cull its entire flock due to a widespread avian flu outbreak, which has contributed to rising prices for eggs and other agricultural products.
This last remaining duck farm in New York, known for its culinary significance, is now undergoing a careful rebuilding process. For Corwin, a fourth-generation farmer at 66, simply restoring the farm to its previous capacity of 100,000 birds isn’t enough.
He’s nurturing a unique bloodline of ducks that survived the mass culling—hoping this lineage will help his family farm thrive even as others in the area falter.
“I just don’t want to face this again,” Corwin said. “If I had to deal with this a second time, I’d likely step away from duck farming altogether.”
Creating a Path for Recovery
In the months since the outbreak, Corwin and his smaller team have been hard at work sanitizing numerous barns, clearing out hay and debris, and replacing various systems and structures. By the end of May, the first group of about 900 young ducks arrived from nearby farms after being quarantined for several months.
Another 900 ducks came in last week, with more on the way to the 140-acre farm nestled amid Long Island’s vineyards and farmland, around 80 miles from Manhattan. Corwin hopes that by next summer, these ducks will be ready for market.
Yet, he emphasizes that he’s not rushing the process. “It’s going to be a while before we’re back to processing the million ducks a year that we once did,” he mentioned.
“I keep reminding everyone that this is like a hurdle race,” he said. “There are plenty of steps to take before we reach where we used to be.”
The Bird Flu Situation Remains Critical
Since 2022, H5N1 strains of avian influenza have been confirmed in all 50 states, resulting in over 1,700 outbreaks affecting around 175 million birds, according to recent data from the CDC. This situation is particularly alarming as it appears more damaging across various bird species compared to previous outbreaks, according to Dr. Gavin Hitchner from Cornell University’s Duck Research Institute.
Ducks are reportedly more susceptible to severe illness from the virus than chickens and turkeys. The strain has even impacted American cattle farmers after it jumped species last year. “The virus has mutated in a way that has made it significantly more harmful,” Hitchner explained.
Though Corwin hasn’t directly experienced another avian flu outbreak since this one, he admits he’s worried about future threats. While the farm received federal compensation for the ducks that were euthanized, it didn’t match their market value, adding to the strain of operating in a high-cost area like Hampton.
Corwin hopes that in time, the government will mandate vaccinations for poultry against avian flu, though he acknowledges the uphill battle given past skepticism towards vaccines during the previous administration.
“I manage to sleep well at night, but there’s a new level of anxiety,” Corwin remarked. “We’re adjusting the deck chairs on the Titanic here.”
Preserving Local Heritage
The newly arrived ducks are vital for the farm’s rebound. A group of white Pekin ducks, now nearing breeding age, are the last survivors from a batch of over 15,000 eggs, all tested negative for avian flu.
This new generation carries the unique genetic traits that have been developed over years of selective breeding, crucial to the farm’s legacy.
Founded in 1908 by Corwin’s great-grandfather, Crescent Duck Farm once stood as the only commercial duck farm on Long Island. By the 1960s, however, the region housed over 100 farms contributing around two-thirds of the nation’s duck supply.
“I feel a deep connection to my ancestors who worked this land, and I feel a responsibility to carry on their legacy,” Corwin said. “I’m truly proud to be part of Long Island’s agricultural story.”
