Temporary home found for feathered friends in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — Aaron Fletcher’s ducks will live to lay eggs another day. 

The Coeur d’Alene man, facing a deadline to get rid of his fine feathered friends because they’re not allowed by city ordinance, said someone in Athol will give them temporary sanctuary. 

“I'm going to miss them while they’re gone,” Fletcher said Tuesday. 

He believes there is a good chance the city council will change the ordinance later this year and allow residents to have ducks. Then, they can fly away home. Well, get a ride.

“I’m hopeful that’s the case,” he said. 

Fletcher said he heard from many offering to help after his story was published in The Press on Saturday.  

“It was a nice outpouring of support,” he said.

Nick Overturf of Lewiston said his wife read the article, told him of the situation, and they were ready to save the ducks.

He said residents can have ducks in Lewiston, just as they can have chickens. Both make a bit of noise and produce eggs. 

“I don't understand what the big deal is,” Overturf said Tuesday. “I’d go pick those ducks up right now.”

Alexcia Jordan, general manager and CEO of the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and North Idaho State Fair, said she wasn't surprised to learn so many reached out to Fletcher.

"People want to help others, and people love animals," she said. "It makes you feel good to help somebody in need. Why wouldn't you want to help?"

Fletcher bought about 15 ducklings in May hoping they would produce eggs and provide lessons about food and responsibility for his children.

He said his ducks, a mixture of breeds including Indian Runner, Blue Swedish and Cayuga, are generally healthier and hardier than chickens and can produce thousands of eggs in a year.

But nearly four weeks ago, an animal control officer with the city of Coeur d’Alene knocked on the Fletchers’ door and said the ducks had to go.

City code reads, “It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or maintain any domestic livestock or fowl within the limits of Coeur d'Alene," except chickens.

Fletcher fought back.

He collected nearly 50 signatures from residents around his Anne Street home on a petition that said they didn’t object to ducks living in the area.

He went before the city council last Tuesday and asked about changing an ordinance. Councilwoman Christie Wood told Fletcher it was a long process that required research, discussion and returning to the council as a specific agenda item.

It’s been done before.

A similar situation arose in 2020 in Hayden. There, the city council amended its animal code to allow residents to keep and maintain ducks.

Hayden resident Daniel Fish brought the matter to the Hayden City Council after a neighbor complained about his ducks. He stressed the health benefits of duck eggs and duck meat over those of chickens. 

“Ducks are totally different than chickens,” Fish said. 

Fletcher still has his ducks, but they’ll go to his friend’s home by month’s end. He's counting on the council to change the code so they can return.

“I’ll be pretty disappointed if I don’t get them back,” he said.  

Coeur d'Alene Councilman Dan Gookin said he is confident the council will change the ordinance, which he said could use some clarification as it intersperses the terms "chicken" and "fowl."

"Hopefully, it comes to us soon," he said.

Gookin said they must be careful of not opening the door to allow for other domesticated animals.

"Someone requested pigs, and that was turned down," he said. 

Fletcher appreciated the way people wanted to help. He said it’s nice that the ducks brought about a story that hopefully will have a happy ending. 

“Forget about this current climate, and let’s just have a feel-good thing,” he said.