The Duck Research Laboratory is located in Eastport, New York on Long Island. The Duck Research Lab works with the International Duck Research Cooperative (IDRC), offering services and duck biologics to duck keepers and guidance with appropriate duck health and management.

Dr. Gavin Hitchener, director of the Duck Research Laboratory, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, offers assistance with duck and poultry health and provides consultation services to veterinarians and clients ranging from pet duck owners and small flock owners to commercial duck producers and curators of zoological collections.

Diagnostic Submissions

The Avian Health Program and the Duck Research Laboratory offer full necropsy services and advanced diagnostic testing for every client. Please contact us for disease investigations in commercial and backyard poultry flocks including chickens, turkeys, game birds, show birds, racing pigeons, and ducks.

International Duck Research Cooperative (IDRC)

History and Purpose

Recognizing the need for assistance in solving problems related to producing healthy ducks, American duck growers on Long Island, in the late 1940's, petitioned Cornell University for assistance in conducting scientifically based research on diseases, nutrition and management of ducks, and other related areas, and providing services not available elsewhere. The Deans of the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture at Cornell responded favorably by establishing a working relationship with what was later to become the Long Island Duck Research Cooperative. As a result, the Duck Research Laboratory was established on Eastern Long Island at Eastport, New York in 1949.

The research and service programs are administered by Cornell through a local laboratory director working under the advisement of the research cooperative board of directors. The research is conducted by Cornell scientists located at the Long Island facility. Service programs, such as biologics production and distribution, diagnostic services and consultation are also carried out by the local laboratory staff. Members of the research cooperative help support the laboratory financially by paying membership dues and fees on the biologics they use.

Although originally formed by Long Island duck producers, membership in the research cooperative expanded over the years to include duck producers (and other types of duck keepers and feed manufacturers as well) located in other states, and other countries. In order to reflect its diverse membership, the name of the cooperative was changed in 1992 to the International Duck Research Cooperative (IDRC).

Membership

Presently, two types of membership in the cooperative are recognized; (1) Regular members (commercial duck producers) and (2) Contributing members (mainly duck feed manufacturers, other types of duck keepers and friends of the duck laboratory).

Become a Member of the IDRC

Parties interested in becoming either a regular or contributing member of the International Duck Research Cooperative should contact Dr. Gavin Hitchener.