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Owners: Increased Economic Burden Will Spell The End For Family Owned LI Duck Farm

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Ducks have been part of Long Island's identity for more than a century, but not for long.

One of the last remaining duck farms is closing up shop. It's being forced out, the owners say, by economic realities.

As CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff explained, the pitter patter of webbed feet put Long Island ducks on menus worldwide, but the quacks will soon be silenced on one of the last duck farms on Long Island.

For three generations Chester Massey, his father, and his sons have been raising world-famous Long Island ducklings from the cradle to the dinner table. By year's end they will mark the end of an era.

"It makes me cry. I did it for 70-years. My kids grew up here, I don't know anything else," Massey said.

At Chester W. Massey and Son's Duck Farm, the Masseys are hatching their last ducklings. The farm is folding under the weight of rising costs.

"It's the taxes in New York and Long Island, the price of feed has skyrocketed," Paul Massey said.

New state clean water regulations mean that ducks must now be raised indoors to limit waste runoff that can pollute waterways.

The Masseys would have to replace World War II army barracks with costly buildings, and give up on raising free-range ducks which they consider more humane. They say they've controlled the runoff and can't invest anymore.

"Every year you're making a little less and it chips away at your profit," Paul said.

Long Island used to be the duck capital of the world with more than 90 farms providing 90 percent of the world's supply of ducks.

With the Masseys closing there will be only one duck farm left.

A duck must be hatched and raised on Long Island to be called a Long Island duckling, soon that will be a rare commodity.

"I was hoping I'd die before this happened," Chester said.

The family said that they will consider selling the farm, but doubt that buyers will be looking to raise ducks anymore.

Local teachers have offered to raise money to help the duck farmers upgrade their facility. The family has been visiting schools for years teaching kids about how ducklings hatch.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation told CBS 2 that in some cases ducks can be raised outdoors, but in a manner that protects water quality.

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