Down is the soft layer of feathers closest to the 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 under feathers and other feathers or fillers. Down and feathers can be removed either from live animals or dead animals after slaughter (see the Food section for information on the raising of birds for foie-gras and meat). The process of plucking down from live geese and ducks starts at the age of 8 to 10 weeks. On factory farms, the terrified birds are lifted by their necks or backs, with their legs tied over their backs, and then have all of their body feathers ripped out. The frantic geese and ducks struggle to escape, causing strained muscles and sometimes broken limbs. As much as 5 ounces of feathers and down can be pulled from each bird. This process is repeated every six to eight weeks until the animals are up to four years old (1). The overcrowding on these farms leads to debilitating injury and disease. Many farms also cut the tips of the animal’s bill off in order to prevent feather pulling. Live plucking is also done on wild birds. In Iceland, more than 6,500 pounds of Eider duck feathers are gathered a year (2). By taking the feathers from females Eiders, the farmers remove an important insulation that the eggs need to hatch. The feathers from at least 80 nests are required to fill one comforter (3). Plucking down from live animals is extremely cruel, causing the animals considerable pain and distress. Scientific studies have confirmed the existence of pain receptors (nociceptors) in the skin of ducks and geese (as well as chickens) (4). Researchers have also identified a rich supply of sensory fibers in the follicular wall of the feathers as well as nerves in the papilla, pulp and feather muscles. Feather removal results in tissue injury, along with physiological changes, like the doubling of blood glucose level, a symptom of severe stress (5, 6). Geese normally live in small family units and mate for life, living up to 20 years and flying long distances to migrate. Ducks live in couples or groups and spend their days looking for food in the grass or shallow water, but not the ones raised on factory farms, where tens of thousands of geese and ducks spend their entire lives crammed inside dirty, dark sheds. They are deprived of everything that is natural to them and live-plucked several times a year before being slaughtered or force-fed for another year to produce foie-gras. WHAT YOU CAN DO! As a consumer, you have the power to refuse to support this cruel industry. Do not purchase anything made with down. Numerous warm lightweight synthetics can replace down. When shopping, look for down-free sleeping bags, comforters, pillows or coats with synthetic fillings, which are easily available in most stores. Many well-intentioned, compassionate people think that down is benign and for the animals, or is a by-product of the meat industry. Whenever you hear of a member of your family, a friend or co-worker planning to purchase something made with down, stand up for the animal, explain the cruelty involved in live-plucking, and how buying down financially supports the cruel meat and/or foie-gras industries. Talk or write to store mangers Ask them to cease selling down. Remind them that many products use warm, lightweight synthetic materials, and that selling these materials instead of down is a far kinder way of dong business.
References: (1) Andrzej Rosinski, Goose Production in Poland and Eastern Europe, Department of Poultry Science, Agricultural University in Poznan, 1999. (2) Eiderduck Farming in Iceland, Legacy and Vision in Northern Agriculture 4th Conference, Akureyri, Iceland August 2001. (3) Cuddy Duck, A living World. narr. Brett Westwood, BBC Radio, 3 Mar. 2002. (4) M.J. Gentle, L.N. Hunter, Physiological and behavioral responses associated with feather removal in Gallus var domesticus [chickens], Research in Veterinary Science, Vol. 50 (1990) pgs 95-101. (5) M.J. Gentle, L.N. Hunter, Physiological and behavioral responses associated with feather removal in Gallus var domesticus [chickens], Research in Veterinary Science, Vol. 50 (1191) pgs 95-101 (6) J. Janan et al, Effect of Feather Plucking in Geese Blood Glucose Level, Hungarian Veterinary Journal, June 2001. |
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