Permit for ducks in Florida?

[Miss Lydia]

That's very sad.

I am a Florida native too but when I lived there moved away in 1977 they had no such laws. You know the Pekins are the ones I have seem most often dumped around these parts in parks anyway. I know after Hurricane Andrew a lot of invasive took over but it's a shame everyone has to pay the price.

 

[cajun41887]

I am a Florida native too but when I lived there moved away in 1977 they had no such laws. You know the Pekins are the ones I have seem most often dumped around these parts in parks anyway. I know after Hurricane Andrew a lot of invasive took over but it's a shame everyone has to pay the price.

I’m sure the Pekins are dumped most because u can legally own those without a permit so they are easy to come by. Although I was on Craigslist this morning and there are Muscovy, all sorts of runners and mixes of different breeds as well as Pekins. No mention of needing permits etc

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you think a lot of people just aren't aware there are laws regarding ducks?

 

[cajun41887]

Do you think a lot of people just aren't aware there are laws regarding ducks?

Probably. I’m a certified veterinary technician so I at least thought to look at zoning and such before getting any of the animals we have, but the way the website is worded, I thought I was in the clear with the Muscovy Ducks for sure and honestly thought I was misinterpreting the rest of it cause it’s so absurd. Who would honestly think they need a FISH AND WILDLIFE CAPTIVE WILDLIFE PERMIT to keep DOMESTIC animals? That’d be like going to adopt a golden retriever and needing to get a wildlife permit because it’s descended from a wolf. Makes no sense, but that’s Florida for ya. The other animals listed on the permit range from elephants to venomous snakes and tigers. I’m like it’s a 5 pound, non flying domestic and captive bred and raised duck. Why is it the same permit for a tiger and such? I’m all for registering and saying you have ducks, that’s fine and reporting how you sold or disposed of them and not allowing them to breed with wild and native ducks, but this is excessive to inspect my property yearly and treat me like I own contraband or a dangerous velociraptor?!?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sure is. I am just glad I moved away when I did.

 

[atomic]

Well, all I can surmise is that government officials have other things to do than peruse Craigslist trying to crack illegal duck sales. I also doubt that these people even know about it, I sure didn't. It is a shame that it affects the responsible owners.

 

[cajun41887]

Well, all I can surmise is that government officials have other things to do than peruse Craigslist trying to crack illegal duck sales. I also doubt that these people even know about it, I sure didn't. It is a shame that it affects the responsible owners.

Since I can have Pekins, tell me about your experience having them. I know they are more meat birds, but how many eggs do you get from them in a week, have they seemed healthy, etc. I’m just terrified to get Pekins cause they are so heavily bred like my favorite chicken hen whom I’ve been providing medical care for heart failure for the last almost 3 months. I can’t put my kids through another situation like that. My hen is still holding on, but I’m having to drain fluid from her abdomen every couple of weeks. Thankfully I’m a veterinary nurse so I have access to ultrasound and radiology as well as the ability to run lab work and the medical knowledge to drain her fluid when she needs it and can do it at just the cost of supplies.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I spoke to fish and game today and permits are required on ALL ducks in Florida EXCEPT Pekins. It’s totally insane and the permits can either be pet permit if you are only keeping a few for yourself and that permit is free, but the application is intense (vet must be provided, what you’ll do to prevent escape, emergency numbers, evacuation plans, etc)There is also a game farm permit which is $50 a year and they have to come inspect your property, and then an exhibition permit if you’re showing them. They have pool and cage size requirements you have to meet and each permit has to be renewed annually. (Pet is every 2 years). You can’t sell ducks to anyone without a permit etc. I’m zoned agricultural and I had already acquired 3 Muscovies. I’m not permitted. I have an order of ducklings in the incubator from a breeder in Louisiana and I have no idea what I’m gonna do. We just wanted 5 welsh Harlequins and a couple Muscovy to enjoy on our hobby farm and to raise some quality ducklings to sell to aid in the recovery of the welsh Harlequins. Florida is a messed up state. I asked wildlife guy why Pekins are exempt and he couldn’t tell me. Just said he doesn’t make the law, only enforces it. I’m all for getting the game permit so I can have my Harlequins, but what the hell am I supposed to do with my Muscovies? They aren’t permitted and I’m afraid when they come to inspect, they will take them and fine me since I have them and don’t have a permit for them. They are gonna want to know where I got them and I’m not gonna throw that lady under the bus. Ugh! I miss Washington state! Makes me wonder how all these people are selling on Craigslist and not getting busted here. I always see Muscovy, runners and various call ducks listed. Anyone wanna Underground Railroad me some welsh Harlequins?!?

This is the reason why we are sticking with Pekins.
Florida has strict laws to protect migratory birds. Once hurricane season is upon us, when mass evacuation is mandatory, livestock is not being evacuated. Ducks are left to be subjected to the possibility of being introduced to the local ecosystem.
When hurricane Irma smacked us, there were cows and horses on our road Wondering around until they were rounded up by their owners whom fled the area only to come back to discover their stock was missing. We had trees take fence out to our swine paddocks but we're lucky we had no escaping.
Our chickens were all over the place. I assume water fowl owners lost some of their inventory. Not by death but by relocation.
As far as the permit is concerned, we are sticking with Pekins. We started the application process and decided that we don't need to have big brother over seeing our property. Our conversation with FWC was the deal breaker. They are basically making ownership a chore as well as a costly affair.
And with all of the ads on Craigslist etc when people are selling ducks that require permission, FWC is on top of that too. They take the law pretty seriously. They seize that opertunity to be invited onto private property to inspect for compliance.

Last year we had a surprise visit by the dept of agriculture for our goats. Florida requires ALL goats to be registered & ear tagged by scabies vaccination method. No goat is allowed to leave anyone's property without being registered by the dept of agriculture. Yet just like with ducks, few people are complying with the laws and regulations. We have been searching for a young buck to straighten our herds bloodline. But every ad we respond to, folks are illegally selling their bucklings. So we don't purchase him. We are requested and in compliance, which in turn allows usda to inspect our stock. When we go and register the new addition, we have to list the sellers address. Which we don't want to get in the middle of a poop storm.
So we are electing NOT to do the same with ducks, which is having big brother getting anymore involved in our business.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

. I’m wondering if my loophole to get the Harlequins is to just order fertile eggs and hatch my own?

I am pretty sure you will need to fax a copy of your permit prior to them shipping. At least with rural King you can order a massive assortment of breeds, as long as you present you permit prior to the ordering process. Give me a few minutes to post that policy information. It's on my laptop. I'm outside on my tablet right now.

 

[cajun41887]

This is the reason why we are sticking with Pekins.
Florida has strict laws to protect migratory birds. Once hurricane season is upon us, when mass evacuation is mandatory, livestock is not being evacuated. Ducks are left to be subjected to the possibility of being introduced to the local ecosystem.
When hurricane Irma smacked us, there were cows and horses on our road Wondering around until they were rounded up by their owners whom fled the area only to come back to discover their stock was missing. We had trees take fence out to our swine paddocks but we're lucky we had no escaping.
Our chickens were all over the place. I assume water fowl owners lost some of their inventory. Not by death but by relocation.
As far as the permit is concerned, we are sticking with Pekins. We started the application process and decided that we don't need to have big brother over seeing our property. Our conversation with FWC was the deal breaker. They are basically making ownership a chore as well as a costly affair.
And with all of the ads on Craigslist etc when people are selling ducks that require permission, FWC is on top of that too. They take the law pretty seriously. They seize that opertunity to be invited onto private property to inspect for compliance.

Last year we had a surprise visit by the dept of agriculture for our goats. Florida requires ALL goats to be registered & ear tagged by scabies vaccination method. No goat is allowed to leave anyone's property without being registered by the dept of agriculture. Yet just like with ducks, few people are complying with the laws and regulations. We have been searching for a young buck to straighten our herds bloodline. But every ad we respond to, folks are illegally selling their bucklings. So we don't purchase him. We are requested and in compliance, which in turn allows usda to inspect our stock. When we go and register the new addition, we have to list the sellers address. Which we don't want to get in the middle of a poop storm.
So we are electing NOT to do the same with ducks, which is having big brother getting anymore involved in our business.

Yes, we have horses and IRMA was a nightmare logistically moving 3 horses and 3 mini donkeys out to safety. Our 30 chickens we just left coops open and everyone was fine when we returned a few days later. Maybe Pekins are the way to go. My Muscovy are in the middle of our 6 acres and can’t be seen and I’ve clipped a wing so they aren’t flying anywhere. Won’t be advertising I have them that’s for sure. Such a shame cause they are really awesome ducks. Educate me on Pekins as I had written them off entirely as we tend to keep less common animals. Is my 12x8 hoop coop too small with free range during day, can they hang with Muscovy (I have separate coops for them) egg laying (how many per week, size, etc will they brood their own young (I assume not) anything you wish you had known when u started that u know now, etc