Are ducks/geese killed to get feathers for down, or are they collected, or plucked, or is there some method I'm not even considering?
2006-11-14 04:54:27 · 7 answers · asked by John 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
Well apparently I have sparked a debate. It seems to me that both sides are correct to some extent, so I think a better way to phrase the question woud be...Is there a way to tell if your down [product] comes from animals who were killed for their feathers, or collected from animals who have shed their feathers.
2006-11-14 06:48:04 · update #1
No, No, NO!!!
They naturally shed the feathers. Either in a natural process called molting (once or twice a year all birds shed feathers like pet cats and dogs shed) or when they breed. The birds pull the feathers out themselves and make nests on the ground. People come by before the eggs are layed and take a small handful of the feathers. This has been happening for hundreds of years and the birds have no problem replacing the feathers taken.
This is true of Elderdown feathers. That's why Elderdown products are so expensive.
OR
The birds are bred for the meat trade. They are slaughtered for the meat and the feathers go for pillows. Contrary to popular belief, meat animals are usually treated and killed humanely.
There are exceptions of course, and there are nut jobs out there that think we shouldn't eat animals, but that's a different question.
I hope this helps.
2006-11-14 05:47:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
RE:
How do they get feathers for down comforters, do they have to kill the ducks?
Are ducks/geese killed to get feathers for down, or are they collected, or plucked, or is there some method I'm not even considering?
2015-08-04 11:11:33 · answer #2 · answered by Selle 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, yes they are killed. I knew someone who was part of this whole process. They raise ducks just for the purpose of collecting their down, which is the soft fur-like feathers next to their skin. You cannot collect this without "skinning" the animals.
Sounds pretty horrible doesnt it? I had never really thought about it before, then I learned the poor ducks fate. I have never looked at another down comforter with out seeing a bunch of poor dead birds again.
2006-11-14 05:09:57 · answer #3 · answered by emvannattan 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I doubt they HAVE to be killed...but I'm almost certain they ARE. It would take forever to get enough down (undercoat) from birds - without killing them - to make pillows, comforters, jackets, etc in the quantity the industry produces them. One can hope that they at least use feathers from the chickens and ducks being killed for food anyway (as a vegetarian, I don't use down, leather, etc). But to answer your question... yes, critters die for that fluffy blanket. :(
2006-11-14 04:58:16 · answer #4 · answered by kittikatti69 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As a breeder of exotic animals and birds I can state that the birds shed their down feathers and grow new ones.
2006-11-14 04:57:01 · answer #5 · answered by Darrell King 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
OH NO! I have down pillows.... what is the purpose of killing them if they shed naturally....
Great question... horrible answer.
2006-11-14 05:44:04 · answer #6 · answered by Myra G 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You little Whore...you stole my background...Lol just kidding!
They are actually killed...because they can't live without feathers..thats what makes em keep warm. Why do you actually ask.?
2006-11-14 07:47:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
anyone who buys a down pillow or comforter should be shot.
2013-12-15 14:54:19 · answer #8 · answered by nicki finn 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Suggest you read "Diet for A New America" by Al Gore, it will certainally enlighten you as to the processes of this "civilized" world we live in.
2006-11-14 05:06:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Of course not..........they only pick 3 at a time and let em recover.
2006-11-14 05:03:04 · answer #10 · answered by Ceroulious 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋