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Down comforters are made from the light, fluffy clusters and plumules that come from beneath the feathers of ducks and geese. The quality of down can be determined by the fill power or loft. Fill power is defined as the amount of down per ounce. See our down comforter here.
Are geese plucked alive for down?
The highest grade of down, used to make the most comfy and costly bedding, involves a practice called live-plucking. That’s when feathers and the undercoating of geese and ducks are pulled off their skin while the waterfowl are still alive.
Are down comforters cruel?
Although most down is removed from ducks and geese during slaughter, birds in breeding flocks and those raised for meat and foie gras may endure the trauma of plucking every six weeks before they are eventually killed. But no matter where it comes from, down is a product of cruelty to animals.
Are birds killed for down?
Some 70 percent of the world’s supply comes from China, typically from birds killed for their meat. Most of the rest comes from Europe and Canada, from birds harvested for meat or pâté. A portion of the world’s supply of down feathers are plucked from live birds, a practice condemned as cruel by animal welfare groups.
Are birds harmed for down feathers?
Conventionally, birds used for down are born at parent farms where they can stay up to four years as they lay eggs and are plucked for their feathers as many as four times a year (pdf). The painful process tears the birds’ skin and can cause enough pain to kill the birds.
Does live plucking hurt?
‘Live plucking’ occurs outside the moulting season and refers to manually pulling feathers that are still attached to the bird. This procedure is a major welfare concern as live plucking results in bleeding and tearing of skin, causing pain, discomfort and stress to the birds (Gentle and Hunter, 1991).
What percentage of down is live plucked?
The documentary estimates that as much as 50-80 percent of all down on the world market is plucked from live birds. The European Down and Feather Association and the China Feather and Down Industrial Association refute this fact.
Are animals killed to make down?
While most down and other feathers are removed from ducks and geese during slaughter, birds in breeding flocks and those raised for meat may be plucked repeatedly while they are still alive. Plucking causes geese and ducks considerable pain and distress.
Is down filling ethical?
“Down is a superior material in terms of warmth and weight. It’s environmentally friendly. It’s also a byproduct of the food industry – if it wasn’t being used by apparel companies it would still be there because people are eating the birds.
Can down be ethical?
Ethical down refers to any down that passes the highest animal welfare standards and comes from birds that are protected from live-plucking and force-feeding. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a voluntary code of practice that was established in cooperation with animal welfare groups and the down industry.
Are down comforters ethical?
Down comforters are light and breathable. However, down can be sourced from unethical farms that conduct animal cruelty practices. The animal cruelty can be done while raising and harvesting down from ducks or geese. Some down feathers are plucked from live birds.
Is responsible down vegan?
Down is the undercoating of waterfowl such as geese, ducks, or swans. Down is meant to help keep waterfowl warm, but has since been billed as an “all natural” stuffing material to help keep us warm. So, are feathers and down vegan? Nope.
Is North Face down cruelty free?
The RDS ensures that our down does not come from animals that have been subject to any unnecessary harm, such as force-feeding or live-plucking, provides traceability in our supply chain, and helps validate and track the down used in The North Face products from farm to finished garment.
What is down pillow?
Down refers to the feathers of geese, swans, and ducks. Although similar in nature, a down pillow is not to be confused with a feather pillow. Down is extracted from the soft underbelly of these animals, while “feathers” are taken from their wings.
Are geese killed for goose down?
Farmers usually harvest goose down after the birds are slaughtered for meat, and most geese are killed about 15 weeks after hatching. But farmers may also pluck the feathers when geese are still alive, a painful process akin to someone ripping out human hair, animal welfare and advocacy groups say.
Are down jackets cruel?
Looking for down-free jackets? You’re not alone. Cruelty can be found in every stitch of down-stuffed jackets sold by brands owned by Urban Outfitters, Inc., including Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban Outfitters.
Are down quilts ethical?
A naturally sustainable product, down is biodegradable and recyclable. Finished with a piped gusset and superior Hungarian made cotton japara cover you will be sleeping soundly knowing your quilt is of the highest quality, ethically sourced down and feather.
What are duck feathers?
Waterfowl have three types of feathers: contour, flight, and down. Contour feathers collectively serve as a protective outer shell. Each feather is composed of a central shaft with a continuous series of paired vanes that line up on opposite sides of the shaft.
Is down harvesting cruel?
The coldhearted and cruel down industry often plucks geese alive in order to get their down—the soft layer of feathers closest to a bird’s skin. Once their feathers are ripped out, many of the birds, paralyzed with fear, are left with gaping wounds—some even die as a result of the procedure.
