Down and feathers offer excellent insulating properties due to their capacity to “fluff up”. This property is also referred to as “fill power“ that is to say the capacity to unfold the largest possible volume again and again at the same time imbedding millions of insulating air pockets.
Goose and duck feathers have a curved elastic shaft, the so-called quill.
Chicken feathers, however, have a flat shape. The main part of the quill is flat, i.e. the firm shaft in the middle. They are not resilient enough to “fluff up“ again, for instance after having been compressed by the human body. Therefore, they are less suitable as filling material for pillows and duvets than the plumage of waterfowl.
In order to receive a good heat-insulating effect with chicken feathers, a relatively great amount of filling material is necessary – so the duvet is quite heavy and often regarded as uncomfortable by the sleeper.
Further information at :
Quelle
Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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