Volunteer-run | Utah-based
The Utah Dumped Ducks Network (UDDN) is a volunteer-run community helping abandoned domestic ducks & geese who are unable to survive without human support.
How to Help
This network is:
Focused on dumped or abandoned domestic ducks and geese
Centered on feeding, monitoring, and coordination
A way to share information, resources, and updates
This network is not:
A rehoming service for personal pets
A wildlife rehabilitation organization
A guaranteed rescue or intake program
In urgent situations involving abandoned domestic birds, placement requests may be considered case by case, depending on available foster or rescue support.
Ways to Help
Volunteer to feed dumped domestic ducks & geese near you (even once a week helps)
Share urgent posts to local neighborhood or community groups
Follow safe, responsible feeding practices to protect domestic waterfowl, wildlife, and ecosystems
Pitch in by picking up fishing line, hooks, and trash—small efforts make ponds safer
Foster or Adopt through Wasatch Wanderers Animal Rescue so more domestic ducks & geese can be rescued
Ready to Help?
Domestic ducks and geese are different from wild ducks and geese.
Domestic ducks are often 2–4x larger than wild ducks
Non-camouflage coloring often indicates domestic ducks or geese
Inability to sustain flight often indicates a domestic bird
Domestic ducks do not migrate and cannot forage properly—especially in winter.
These differences are why domestic ducks rely on consistent human care, especially in winter.Feeding wild birds can disrupt natural behaviors, increase predation risk, and harm local ecosystems.
A quick note on catching waterfowl:
Do not attempt to capture domestic ducks or geese unless a safe placement is already arranged and the property owner or managing agency (parks department, university, HOA, etc.) has been contacted—unapproved rescues can result in misunderstandings or law enforcement involvement.
Injured wild birds should be referred to licensed wildlife rehabilitators. See the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for a list of licensed wildlife rehabbers.
Focus on domestic waterfowl. When feeding, please do your best to focus on domestic waterfowl rather than wild birds. Feeding wild birds can cause harm to both wildlife and local ecosystems. Standing nearby can help ensure food reaches domestic waterfowl.
Approved food only — (no bread)
Duck pellets, waterfowl pellets, scratch grains, and cracked corn (in moderation) are appropriate
Bread causes malnutrition and can lead to serious health conditions such as Angel Wing and death
Feed can be found at Tractor Supply, IFA, CAL-Ranch, and similar farm supply stores.
Feed responsibly
Feed during daylight hours to reduce predator risk
Feed along the shoreline—not directly into ponds or on sidewalks
Start with a small amount (about ¼ cup per bird) and adjust as needed
Do not leave food behind, as it attracts predators and disrupts the ecosystem
Ready to Help?
Volunteer coordination happens in our Facebook group, where we share feeding schedules, urgent updates, and local needs.If you’re able to help—even occasionally—join the group to see what’s needed near you and when support is most helpful.This page provides the core feeding guidelines. Facebook is used for coordination and scheduling so updates stay fast, local, and consistent.
Many dumped domestic ducks and geese cannot be rescued unless a safe foster or adoptive home is already available.Even when a bird is injured or at risk, rescue groups are limited by housing capacity—not by willingness to help.If you have space, experience, or are willing to learn, fostering or adopting directly saves lives.
Caring for abandoned animals can be emotionally heavy
— take care of yourself, too.Community support spaces will be shared here when available.
Have Questions or Comments for the UDDN Admin/Mod Team?