Muscovies in US - REGULATION CHANGES OPEN FOR COMMENTS - 10/1 update

[Laurieks]

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Hmmm, like some policymakers?

I wrote Dr Allen to let him know of my concerns, and suggested an adoption program like the BLM has for Burros & Mustangs.

I just looked it up, and there's a substantial federal budget for that program, darnit...well maybe they can sell the feral birds to cover the budget.

My Muscovies were taken out by a raccoon displaced from her home by a new housing tract (speaking of invasive species-humans not raccoons). I was going to get more one of these days...now we'll see.

I also let him know that some beautiful colors have been developed, and I'd hate to see those go.

Thanks everyone, for pitching in on this!

edited for spelling

 

[silkydragon]

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no dont ban sale at tractersupply the 15th this month maybe only chance i have to get some

 

[Laurieks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks1D_eP6PKc

"not actually a duck but a South American Goose"

What I recall from 4H was not a duck but a "tree duck"

just fyi, won't change anything here

 

[muscovychef]

Man those are some active muscovy, mine can hardly waddle let alone run. I trip ans step on their toes all the time. I cant go any where with out them in the yard ay my heels. They even nibble on the door. If its left open they come in.

 

[smithzoo100]

Wow!! I am finally caught up on this thread.... Great work to those of you who got the ball rolling with the hatcheries, APA, Holderread's, Dr George Allen himself, and all the ones that I have missed after pages and pages of reading!! I spent the morning with my sister on the phone going over the regulation and picking her brain on 1) How to get them to listen to us. 2) How to best get the word out to people who need to know. 3) Trying to figure out where in the world to even apply for a permit since she used to work at the goose hunter check point for the Federal Government in Washington state.

You guys have gotten #1 handled, off and running!!! We will keep that up as more and more people find out!! Thank you and GREAT JOB to all who are working on this!!!

#2 I have been posting on our area's craigslist a link to this thread with a little additional info as well as using my myspace and facebook pages to help get the word out there. I am asking everyone who is interested in having the freedom to raise their own food or at least the option to raise what they want to GET INVOLVED and help get the word out about this regulation as well as follow the suggestions on the OP and call with their concerns!! I also wrote our heritage turkey group, but my letter hasn't made it past the list owner yet. If we loose our Muscovy battle, turkeys seem like they would be the next likely candidate for removing them from private hands. I live where there are herds of turkeys and it is more likely my turkeys will get out and cause an impact than my Scovies which, like many of your's, either can't get off the ground or at the very most, do a lap around the property when they are young then land as close to the house as possible, usually on it and peering in the dormer windows!!

#3 I will let you know what I find out on Monday regarding permits. If that is what I have to do to continue to breed my birds for eggs and/or meat, then that is what I have to do as much as I cringe and get frustrated by this idea! However, prior to the contact info I got from my sister and the suggestion to contact the people who would permit in my area any other species that you currently need a permit for, ALL I could come up with was info on permits in Florida. Gggrrrrr... I am in California so that really doesn't help. Apparently the office I need to contact is in Portland, Oregon and I will drive there if I need to.... I will be in violation of this regulation by the stroke of Midnight, March 31st if I do not have my permit in place because my girls will be sitting tight by then and I have NOT located their nests yet.

For everyone who thinks that this won't affect us and we can just fly under the radar, all it takes is one neighbor with a gripe or someone who wouldn't know to keep things quiet to cause a LOT of grief. The "someones" in my world include Fed Ex, UPS, and our PG & E meter reader who loves to come visit the babies here. They also include folks accidentally stopping here thinking that we are the horse rescue that is located behind us. That will dozens of people in Spring and Summer. Who are the "someones" in your world? It would also mean no more posting of baby pictures of new ducklings anywhere as well as kissing any ideas of showing in the future goodbye. Muscovychef is right that it will be a huge financial hit to anyone who relies on their sales of stock and eggs just while they get this sorted out. I am a tiny, tiny piece of that puzzle, but my Muscovies are a huge part of my plan to help this place become self-sustaining and at the very least have my projects pay for themselves. I will weather this hitch in my plan because the Scovies are only a part of the plan, but I worry about those that have them as a larger source of their livelihood than I do here! And that leads me to my even bigger worry of which one of my critters here will be next? All I can do about that is to help make people aware of the issue at hand and make the phone calls I need to make to the powers that be as well as send hand written, follow up letters to each person. Okay, they can throw them in the trash, but that takes a little more effort on their part than just hitting the delete button.

Back to my craigslist mission!! I know it's a drop in the bucket, but I have over-flowed many a water trough over the years one drop at a time!! Don't forget to send emails and call your personal contacts to let them know to look here at the OP and to get involved!! My poor Dachshund Sunday In The Park group never thought that they would get involved in Muscovy duck issues, but they are as persistent as the dogs we own and will be huge help to all of us

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK EVERYONE!!! And, once again, a HUGE THANKS to the OP!!! Anyone have an addy for Duck_feeder? We could all send his ducks peas as a thank you gift

 

[Cottage Rose]

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[PamelaJaye]

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What!?!? There are peeps that don't know about BYC!?!?! Well, we're obviously all not doing our jobs well enough!!!

Hi there, Nifty Chicken

When was it, I signed up? (December. You can't see that in compose message view.) I've had my duck since July 2007. I only heard of you thru IndoorDucks and that, only thru Facebook or Twitter.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should put my Intro in "Intros" or in "Ducks."

 

[Parrotchick]

Thanks everyone for all your input and action? I live near DC and the FWS offices in Arlington VA and Laurel MD, if face time would be of any help. Perhaps Ivan would enjoy the road trip. He'd make a fine ambassador, even if he is a mule (also subject to the same regs).

 

[Cottage Rose]

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That would be cool!

 

[Soccer Mom]

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Perhaps that is what is needed for them to see the difference in domestic muscovies and feral populations. I honestly don't understand the difference in raising them for eggs or pets.

I suppose the permit requirement is to ensure that only responsible people will keep scovies, but the cynical part of me wonders how long before it becomes a money making endeavor to charge for the permits.