9/2/2023 0 Comments Downy feathers![]() ![]() Of course, the best way to avoid animal cruelty is to do without animal products altogether. When buying down jackets or pillows you should always check very carefully where the down comes from. ![]() Unsurprisingly, birds show signs of fear and distress after being plucked. Wounds are then stitched without using anything to dull or numb the pain. ![]() Sadly, parent geese can be plucked up to 16 times during their lifetime.ĭue to the painful plucking, the animals are often injured, with open wounds occurring whilst broken wings are often a consequence of rough handling. Parent animals are at high risk of live-plucking because they are kept for 4 to 5 years and can be subject to live-plucking more frequently than animals kept for meat. The term 'parent animals' refers to animals used solely for the production of offspring, which are then used in the meat industry. Down from repeatedly plucked 'parent animals' in particular is very popular and typically used for premium products. The animals (predominately geese) suffer dreadfully while their feathers and down are torn out, as workers pluck the animals to produce the most expensive and high quality down. The aim of live-plucking is to gain the maximum amount of feathers and down from the live animal. In addition, companies will claim they do not accept down from live-plucked or force-fed animals, yet evidence to back these claims is often missing. Producers and suppliers of down will say that it is a natural material sourced from geese and ducks after they are slaughtered for meat production, therefore the down and feathers are simply valuable by-products of the duck and goose meat industry. Their lightness and heat trapping ability is what makes down a desirable material to use in products such as coats, bedding (duvets, comforters, and blankets), pillows, and sleeping bags. Down feathers help insulate against heat loss and add buoyancy in the water for aquatic birds like geese and ducks. The term down refers to the soft layer of fine, small feathers closest to a bird’s body. While geese and ducks are raised for their meat, two of the most intense levels of suffering they are subjected to during their lives include the cruel practices of live feather plucking for their down and force-feeding for foie gras. More than 600 million geese and up to 3 billion ducks are raised and slaughtered globally on industrial farms each year. There is a dark side to this fluffy textile, with millions of bird enduring horrific suffering for their feathers. Down is a common filling material used in fashion and textiles worldwide, and is especially used by fashion brands who cater for winter or outdoor apparel. ![]()
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