Long Island's Last Duck Farm Euthanizes Entire Flock Due to Bird Flu Outbreak

The Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue is eliminating 99,000 ducks after detecting the highly contagious H5N1 virus, raising questions about the farm's future.

Crescent Duck Farm, Long Island's last commercial duck farm, is euthanizing its entire flock of 99,000 ducks after confirming an H5N1 bird flu outbreak.
The farm's owner, Doug Corwin, described the outbreak as the worst disaster in the farm's history, leading to the layoff of 47 of its 75 workers.
Health officials report minimal risk to public health, as the virus is not currently transmissible between humans, though safety protocols are in place for exposed workers.
Crescent Duck Farm, operating since 1908, faces uncertainty about its future, with efforts underway to preserve its duck genetics through quarantined eggs.
The outbreak reflects a broader bird flu crisis in the U.S., which has impacted over 136 million poultry since 2022 and contributed to rising food costs.