domestic ducks are not wild animals, they depend on us to survive!
What are the issues with domestic ducks ?
Did you know that every year, adult domestic ducks are dumped in ponds, rivers and lakes all around Wisconsin and neighboring states?
Tractor Supply Company and other farm stores push hatchery ducklings out to the public every spring hatching season without any accompanying information on how to care for them. Raising ducks is much different than other poultry due to a duck’s accelerated growth and lifespan of 8-15 years. Nutritional requirements for ducklings also differ from other birds. Feed must be unmedicated and consequences of feeding medicated chick starter to ducklings are developmental deficiencies and leg problems.
Additionally, there is a great probability when purchasing straight run ducklings that you will have a disproportionate number of drakes (male ducks) to hens (females) in your flock. Too many frisky drakes can cause competition and issues with overbreeding, which is brutal to the hens in your flock when mating season occurs, often leading to feather loss, open sores and eye/sinus issues. When this happens, it leaves people frantic to find new homes for the unwanted drakes.
Many who obtain ducks from farm stores and hatcheries are not ready when winter inevitably arrives in the midwest and water freezes, making outdoor farm chores and keeping the duck’s water from freezing incredibly challenging. Consistently, there is demand for ducks in the spring, but as the fall and winter arrive people typically downsize, and adding to flock populations is not as much of a priority and so the ducks are often displaced as a result of being unwanted and unable to rehome them.
Domestic ducks are often flightless and lack survival instincts in the wild. Even pet ducks with flight capacity are essentially helpless when water freezes, they require human care to survive the winter.
What to do if you find a duckling in the wild ?
If you see a lone duckling or multiple ducklings without their mother, stop, look and listen for signs that their family is still in the area. Always contact the DNR or licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice instead of placing a duckling with an unfamiliar duck family. Ducks do not always accept young from other broods and may harm the stray duckling while trying to drive it away. There are also many differences between wild and domestic breeds of ducks which will become apparent as the duck develops. To learn more about Wisconsin’s wildlife and how to keep wildlife wild, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/orphan
Why do people dump ducks ?
We believe the reason ducks are dumped is because of the challenges with rehoming, especially drakes in the winter months. Additionally, there is a significant lack of awareness on the topic of dumped domestic ducks, even though there has been continuous research related to domestic/wild duck breeding which is known to alter the natural behavior of the wild duck population.
Dumping any domestic animal is cruel, illegal and totally unnecessary. Ducks dumped in cold weather when water freezes are at the mercy of their environment and have no way to protect or feed themselves. Please contact us if you need help !
How do you know if a domestic duck has been dumped ?
Domestic ducks are typically larger than wild duck breeds and usually have different plumage which makes them stick out in a flock of wild birds, although domestic mallards are not easily identified in a wild flock. Aside from muscovy, domestic mallard and call ducks, domestic breeds do not fly, the most they can do is catch air and flap upwards, then flap to the ground. They can get stranded in the water and may approach humans looking for food. They are not equipped with survival skills in the wild and will die eventually if humans do not intervene.
Muscovy ducks are commonly abandoned tropical weather birds and while they can adapt to midwest winters in a backyard coop, they are large, heavy birds with big feet and caruncles prone to frostbite with no shelter and will be become emaciated and dehydrated quickly in the wild.
What is a Domestic Duck Rescue ?
Momo Acres Domestic Duck Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Neillsville, Wisconsin and dedicated to preventing the abandonment of domestic ducks. Many pet ducks are hatched every year and there are so many reasons why they need to be rehomed. We give displaced or unwanted ducks a safe landing while working to create a more knowledgeable community around duck care in Wisconsin and surrounding states. ———————————————————————————– To view our determination letter, copy and paste the link below into your web browser, which will open the PDF link from the Internal Revenue Service Tax Exempt Organization website
FinalLetter_33-4284977_MOMOACRESINCORPORATED_07292025_00.pdf
What types of ducks do we rescue ?
Domestic ducks, including breeds like Swedish, Ancona, Rouen, Pekin, Muscovy, Khaki Campbell, Magpie and Indian Runner, but many are also unique barnyard mixes of these breeds from backyard flocks. Our focus is on those that are abandoned or in need of a new home due to various circumstances, regardless of breed, age or sex.
Domestic breeds are typically heavier than wild ducks and will usually stick out like a sore thumb in wild duck populations. Domestic duck breeds are mainly flightless, limited to the ground and low flapping of their wings. Domestic mallard, call and muscovy duck breeds have flight capacity, but still cannot fly as high or long a distance as their wild ancestors.
What to feed domestic ducks?
Adult Domestic ducks breeds can be fed a diet that includes duck or All Flock pellets and occasional treats like fruit, mealworms, peas and corn. Alternatively to pellets, many feed mills will create custom mixed blends using whole grains such as oats or barley for better nutrition. Avoid feeding bread or processed foods. Baby ducklings have much different nutritional requirements due to rapid growth and must be fed unmedicated chick starter for at least the first 3 weeks and a niacin supplementation like Nutritional Yeast powder helps to avoid developmental issues. Corn will add weight to ducks and should be fed in moderation, although in the colder months it is beneficial to help keep ducks satisfied. It is also important to provide clean water deep enough for them to flush out their bill and sinuses.
How can you help?
You can support domestic ducks by spreading the word ! We are also very grateful for donations in the form of feed, supplies or a financial contribution. Every bit helps us provide care for the duck population we house and care for and further our mission to educate the public on domestic duck care.
When ducks are available for rehoming, our adoption process includes an interview with questions about your own flock to ensure a suitable environment for the ducks. We aim to find loving and safe homes for our rescued ducks. Ducks are not for sale.
Donations help us to continue our work; feed and bedding are a constant need and are incredibly expensive. Maintenance for the rescue structures, fencing and buildings is an ongoing project. Please use the link below to donate via Paypal, Venmo or debit/credit card.
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VZPPRLAFETLF4
We would appreciate if you would talk about us! If enough people spread the word, less ducks will need rescuing !
We also accept donations at the farm by shipment or appointment:
Momo Acres Incorporated
W6678 Timber Lane Road
Neillsville, Wisconsin 54456
