Feathers

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What is the difference between down and feathers

The structure and appearance of down and feathers are quite different. A down has a soft centre from which all the light fluffy filaments protrude. Feathers have a long and curved quill which makes them resilient in a way, at the same time providing them with the ability to expand back to their original shape after having been exposed to pressure. Thus, in contrast to down feathers are perfectly suited as filling material for pillows as they softly cushion the head at the same time supporting the neck as desired.

What blends of down and feathers are most suitable?

The appropriate blend depends in particular on the individual need for warmth when asleep. Nowadays, most people usually prefer a high percentage of down.
 
Lightweight down provide best fill power values and a high degree of thermal insulation. With a higher percentage of feathers, the weight of the duvets increases, because feathers are heavier than down.
 
Due to large fill power values down are capable of being able to keep the body warm without much weight, that is to say the bulking capacity.

How can down and feathers be sorted?

In the separation process down and feathers are sorted with the aid of air which is blown into a special sorting machine consisting of three or four chambers. The airflow generated in the machine achieves that due to gravity the single components fly different distances. The lightest components fly the longest distance and the heaviest elements fly the shortest distance. Correspondingly, the lightest parts, i. e. the down, fly the longest distance and get into the posterior chamber whereas the heaviest parts, i. e.

Do chicken feathers also suit as filling material for duvets?

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.

What kinds of feathers offer favourable heat-insulating properties?

Due to their chemical structure, feathers are poor heat conductors. Besides, they form millions of small hollows (air pockets) imbedding a large volume of air which acts as an insulating layer.
 
Goose and duck feathers have a curved and soft quill which brings about excellent fill power, i. e. the capacity to unfold the largest possible volume again and again, at the same time imbedding millions of insulating air pockets.
 
Chicken feathers, however, have a flat shape. The main part of the quill is flat, i.e. the firm shaft in the middle.

Are down and feathers environment-friendly?

Down and feathers are continuously regrowing raw materials. They consist of natural protein and do not contain any harmful substances.
  • Down and feathers are a by-product of meat production. They originate mainly from countries with high consumption of goose and duck meat. Geese and ducks are not kept for the purpose of harvesting down and feathers.
  • Down and feathers are produced through the natural process of growing of the fowl.  
  • Down and feathers are biodegradable and even provide valuable fertilizer.