Feather extraction

 

Under the present circumstances, the effect on the quantities supplied would probably be neglectable. However, by challenging the origin of the material, the final consumer can achieve that he obtains more precise information on how the down and feathers were collected. 

 

 

He cannot recognize it by the finished product. However, as a rule down and feathers harvested from the live animal are much more expensive (huger personnel expenditures, larger down, huger expenditures as regards logistics) than the material deriving from the animal after slaughtering anyway. This amounts to ca. 98% of the total supply.

Everyone can buy the quilt as one pleases. However, if you decide not to purchase a down quilt, it will not have an effect on the down supply. Unavoidably, down is a by-product of the meat production. If poultrymeat continues to be most popular with the consumers, the down supply will remain unchanged. The remaining down would be thrown away and the demand and the prices of the resources for the production of other filling materials would probably increase.

 

 

As far as we know, ducks are not live-harvested, but only those geese, which are kept for the purpose of laying eggs and breeding. Throughout every year, these animals undergo several moulting seasons, the hormonally induced process of shedding their old plumage. Harvesting the feathers and down from the live animal at the moment of moulting is a technique which has in former times been also applied for the purpose of landscape conservation.

Improper live-plucking is forbidden. The harvesting of feathers and down according to the rules from the live animal at the moment of moulting is not forbidden. The process has to conform to quite specific regulations, however. These regulations are laid down in a standard concerning the harvesting of feathers and down from the live animal and the keeping of geese for the purpose of plucking.

 

How the harvesting feathers and down from the live animal at the moment of moulting has to be carried out, is laid down e. g. in the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes (see also: first publishing of the German translation of recommendations by the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes on February 7^th, 2000 in the Bundesanzeiger [German Federal Gazette], volume 52 No.

There is no difference on the level of technical terminology. The harvesting of feathers and down from the live animal at the moment of moulting, which should more accurately be called “gathering” or “collecting” feathers and down, is usually carried out according to certain rules at the moment of the change of feathers, the moulting season, when a new generation of feathers has matured and the old feathers will therefore be shed.

 

The moulting in birds is the system provided by nature to shed an old feather coat.

 

Feathers and down from waterfowl (geese and ducks) are a unique natural resource of high quality. Used as filling for quilts, pillows and clothing, this material is distinguished by qualities such as breathability, humidity transport and thermal insulation together with a low weight.