How do they do it...

[Pedaling Fool]

I saw another thread about how to add down to a sleeping bag, so it got me thinking.

How do they harvest down? Isn't down the feathery stuff below the main feathers -- correct? So it would seem like the bird must die. Most down is from geese (I think) what do they do with the geese after they take the down?

From this website: http://sevenwondersdown.com/Products.html
We offer two choices of loose down fill, either 800+ fill power down or 600+ fill power down. Orders
can be purchased in quantities per ounce or in bulk by the pound. The down we stock originates
from Hungary in eastern Europe, collected from mature geese, which is widely regarded as the
finest available. We supply the same down insulation used by many high end outdoor retailers, as
well as luxury bedding and home furnishing companies. Our down is hypo-allergenic, washed no
less than a dozen times, guaranteed to be allergen free. Our fill power ratings are certified by three
independent organizations, the American Down and Feather Council, the International Down and
Feather Bureau, and also the Home Fashions Product Association.

I also find it remarkable they got a "Down and Feather Council" and an "International Down and Feather Bureau". This must be a big business.

[Walkie Talkie]

They kill the geese first. They sell the carcass to people who eat goose to celebrate religious holidays and the innards become pet or livestock food. Chinese businessmen think ground goosefeet is like viagra.

[bkrownd]

I also find it remarkable they got a "Down and Feather Council" and an "International Down and Feather Bureau". This must be a big business.

Pfff Two guys in the back room of a coin-op laundry could form such an organization on a whim. It's just a standards committee. When it's "big business" the catering at meetings is just a bit better.

[bkrownd]

Them gooses is cooked, BTW. Bye-bye birdie.

[nufsaid]

I saw another thread about how to add down to a sleeping bag, so it got me thinking.

How do they harvest down? Isn't down the feathery stuff below the main feathers -- correct? So it would seem like the bird must die. Most down is from geese (I think) what do they do with the geese after they take the down?

From this website: http://sevenwondersdown.com/Products.html
We offer two choices of loose down fill, either 800+ fill power down or 600+ fill power down. Orders
can be purchased in quantities per ounce or in bulk by the pound. The down we stock originates
from Hungary in eastern Europe, collected from mature geese, which is widely regarded as the
finest available. We supply the same down insulation used by many high end outdoor retailers, as
well as luxury bedding and home furnishing companies. Our down is hypo-allergenic, washed no
less than a dozen times, guaranteed to be allergen free. Our fill power ratings are certified by three
independent organizations, the American Down and Feather Council, the International Down and
Feather Bureau, and also the Home Fashions Product Association.

I also find it remarkable they got a "Down and Feather Council" and an "International Down and Feather Bureau". This must be a big business.

Good question John. It seems that they don't have to be killed, but they suffer serious discomfort.

http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=121

I use synthetic for other reasons. Must admit that I eat meat and have leather shoes.

[bigcranky]

Most down is a byproduct of raising geese for food in Asia. It gives the geese farmers a little more income from their flocks.

[irrationalsolutions]

did you have to bring up peta? i had a run in with a couple of them not too long ago and i refuse to listen to anything any of them have to say unless they never wear clothes, are vegiterian, only drink water, walk everywhere, and i'll still have to think about it.

[bpitt]

You know, there is a certain species of goose that is almost over-populating itself. Would be wise to take up goose hunting, and get a bag out of it!

[sheepdog]

As a duck and goose hunter I've always saved the down from my ducks and geese. I have several great feather pillows as a result.

[Mrs Baggins]

mmmmmmmm..........love roast goose.........

[buckwheat]

Must admit that I eat meat ...

No need to "admit" that you eat meat, as there's nothing wrong with it.

I'll stop eating meat when PETA convince the lions to.

[briarpatch]

did you have to bring up peta? i had a run in with a couple of them not too long ago and i refuse to listen to anything any of them have to say unless they never wear clothes, are vegiterian, only drink water, walk everywhere, and i'll still have to think about it.

P.E.T.A. = People Easting Tasty Animals?