Is Goose Down humane?

tbs624

See here: http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=down&Player=wm

"Geese and Ducks Suffer for Down
Down is the soft layer of feathers closest to birds’ skin, primarily in the chest region. These feathers are highly valued because they do not have quills. Most products labeled “down” contain a combination of these underfeathers and other feathers or fillers. While most down and feathers are removed from birds during slaughter, geese from breeding flocks and those raised for meat and foie gras may be live-plucked. In countries where this cruel practice continues, up to 5 ounces of feathers and down(1) are pulled from each bird every six weeks from the time that they are 10 weeks old until they are up to 4 years old.

Plucking geese causes them considerable pain and distress. One study of chickens’ heart rates and behaviors determined that “feather removal is likely to be painful to the bird(s),” and another study found that the blood glucose level of some geese nearly doubled (a symptom of severe stress) during plucking(2,3)

Eider ducks are a protected species, but their feathers are sought out for bedding and clothing. The females lay eggs and surround them with feathers plucked from their own breasts. Farmers in Iceland gather more than 6,500 pounds of Eider duck feathers each year(4) By taking these feathers, farmers are removing important insulation that the eggs need to hatch. It takes feathers from at least 80 nests to fill just one comforter (5)"

1) Andrzej Rosinski, “Goose Production in Poland and Eastern Europe,” Department of Poultry Science, Agricultural University of Poznan, 1999.
2) M.J. Gentle and L.N. Hunter, “Physiological and Behavioural Responses Associated With Feather Removal in Gallus Gallus Var Domesticus,” Research in Veterinary Science 50 (1991): 95-101.
3) J. Janan et al., “Effect of Feather Plucking in Geese’s Blood Glucose Level,” Hungarian Veterinary Journal Jun. 2001.
4) Árni Snæbjörnsson, “Eiderduck Farming in Iceland,” Legacy and Vision in Northern Agriculture 4th Conference, Akureyri, Iceland, Aug. 2001.
5) “Cuddy’s Duck,” The Living World, narr. Brett Westwood, BBC Radio, 3 Mar. 2002.

Source: PETA (people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Factsheet

Maybe you'll want to go for an alternative.....................

cave_2

However, PETA are also trying to rebrand fish 'Sea Kittens' to stop people eating them, and have suggested a link between milk and autism (NOT true) to advocate that milk is bad.

Try and find information from an impartial source before making your decision.

C

tsstss7

I've got a "like down" quilt from debenhams and it is (like down that is but without the annoying feathers coming out)....and it's humane and more to the point its machine washable.

tbs624

cave wrote: »

However, PETA are also trying to rebrand fish 'Sea Kittens' to stop people eating them, and have suggested a link between milk and autism (NOT true) to advocate that milk is bad.

Try and find information from an impartial source before making your decision.

C

Yep, someone impartial like a Hungarian poultry farmer,or a duvet or down jacket manufacturer.;)

I'd agree with you that some of PETAs campaigns are little off the wall, but that doesn't negate the validity of everything else that they highlight: the references they use for that article are listed for you to check out. Unfortunately, the live plucking of down from geese in some countries is also well documented elsewhere.

You can even find outdoor clothing manufacturers sites that wax lyrical about the alleged "superiority" of down collected in this way, and it's clear that they have no animal rights agenda.

Be interested to know who *you'd* recommend as an impartial source though?

There are some "eco-duvets" with fillings made from recycled plastic bottles, for those who don't fancy down & feather duvets.

Caterina

Hey, one way or the other, the odds are stacked against the goose. It is either plucked alive (with great distress and pain) and then killed, or killed and then plucked.

The devil or the deep blue sea?

MrsE_2

I bought a pure new wool duvet last time.

Wanted natural without feathers poking out.

Its FAB, I want to get a light silk one now for summer.

Say goodbye to feathers & down, wool & silk are the way to go!

Ben84

While down duvets are seemingly more natural, I suspect the regular trips to the dry cleaners, which are not needed for polyster duvets as they can be easily cleaned at home, will over their useful life create a big environmental impact that could easily be worse than the polyester duvet's. It takes a lot of environmentally hazardous dry cleaning fluid to clean a duvet, so even if cleaned once a year, I'm wondering just how many litres of used solvent will the average down duvet generate.

frugallass

why can't we just be nice to geese - bring half a dozen home and let them onto the bed and lay on top of you much more friendly

Blackpool_Saver

i wouldn't enetertain it, full of minute crawlies that cause allergies, very old fashioned idea...........

frugallass

aw shame