Moving to Alaska with ducks (Homer, Eagle: home, inspection, live in)

[Future Homerian]

We will be moving to Homer next spring by moving van and have two very loved pet ducks. I have been reading the official websites about the rules for bring things into Canada and am still confused about what we will need to get through with the ducks. They made it clear that they do not consider ducks in the pet bird category, but the forms and rules seem to apply to commercial importers. If anyone has any information about this, it would be very helpful! - Michele

[starlite9]

Well if it is spring, you could just cut them loose and have them meet you here...

Otherwise, not a clue.... Call a vet in Alaska, they would know more details. Just google for one in Alaska.

[melbern]

My guess is that the regulations will be much stricter. In most countries importation of live poultry and birds requires quarantine, etc. You should contact a Canadian consulate for advice.

[BudinAk]

I would just arrange with a friend to fly them up in cargo, after your arrival here. (They do that with cats and dogs, so why not ducks?) That way no need to go through Canadian customs with vague instructions...

Bud

[Future Homerian]

Thanks for the info! I am glad I have a lot of time to figure it out. - Michele

[melbern]

You could also use a pet transport service but $$$$$$!

[akck]

Here's a link to get you started:

bsf5082 Information for Visitors to Canada and Seasonal Residents

Scroll down to the animal section. There's a link with a phone number. I also found this:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Importation of Personally-Owned Pet Birds from the United States

Specific to birds from here:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Pet Imports

[Marty Van Diest]

You might want to consider finding a home for them down there if you really love them. There are a lot of predators for ducks up here.

My brother has ducks and finds it very hard to keep them longer than one year. He as learned first hand the meaning of the term "sitting duck".

There is a reason wild ducks immediately take to flight when they see an eagle, hawk, or owl nearby.

They have lost ducks to both flying predators and ground predators. Weasels are amazingly good at getting through fencing and killing much larger prey than themselves. In addition, there are mink, marten, fox, coyotes, and even wolves depending on where you live.

If you keep them inside at all times then you might be safe, or if you live in the middle of town you will have a better chance. But if you are in the country with ducks...good luck.

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

You might want to consider finding a home for them down there if you really love them. There are a lot of predators for ducks up here.

My brother has ducks and finds it very hard to keep them longer than one year. He as learned first hand the meaning of the term "sitting duck".

There is a reason wild ducks immediately take to flight when they see an eagle, hawk, or owl nearby.

They have lost ducks to both flying predators and ground predators. Weasels are amazingly good at getting through fencing and killing much larger prey than themselves. In addition, there are mink, marten, fox, coyotes, and even wolves depending on where you live.

If you keep them inside at all times then you might be safe, or if you live in the middle of town you will have a better chance. But if you are in the country with ducks...good luck.

I was thinking about posting something like this last night and Marty is right on! I have friends that had ducks and geese. They were pretty lucky but a couple of them "went missing". Eagles just love ducks and if an eagle wants Donald for dinner and Donald is out and about in the yard ding ding dinner is on! I see weasels all the time and Marty is right.. ounce for ounce they are vicious animals.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by starlite9

Well if it is spring, you could just cut them loose and have them meet you here...

On the flip side of that, don't they fly off in the fall?

Is there such a thing as a domesticated duck?

Or is that just the definition of a husband?