Down life plucking! This s&^! is really happening.

**vuanguyen** · 10-24-2016, 23:26

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnnkHgyqARQ

I hope that responsible hammock gear manufactures are not using these type of down. I'm also hoping that consumers like us are well informed of what we are buying.

So far, I only know 2 manufactures who actually stated on their websites where their down come from:

Enlightened Equipment and Zpacks (both use ethical down)

Hoping that other manufactures will follow their leads.

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-24-2016, 23:49

That's pretty disturbing.

**Tacblades** · 10-25-2016, 00:45

I have no morbid interest to watch the video at all.
But the trouble is not matter what system is used or what green eco friendly system is invented, no on can guarantee this doesn't happen unless you are there when its collected.

Some of the audited organisations that claim tracable down is more about a marketing tool to incrase prices than anything to do with animal welfare.

Same as organic labeled food, it still has an allowed amount of chemicals used in growing, its a way to jack the price.

So in the end for the comsumer you really have no idea and no way to tell.

**W8lkinUSA** · 10-25-2016, 02:57

True. You would really have to do everything yourself to know. Even in the days of bartered good, one can never be certain..

**sr1355** · 10-25-2016, 05:28

Originally Posted by vuanguyen

Hoping that other manufactures will follow their leads.

You can check our FAQ for answers to this an many other questions regarding down. This really is a none issue in the industry, most vendor purchase from one of three sources. These three sources all are major companies that would not want to weather the storm of public opinion with a Ethics issue.

http://responsibledown.org/

**sr1355** · 10-25-2016, 06:00

The unethical down practices are something DIY'er need to be aware of as they purchase bulk down from unverified sources on Aliexpress, Ebay, etc.... Vendors need verifiable sources and fill power that is certified by IDFL, only established down suppliers can provide both of those pieces of information.

**mpvisc00** · 10-25-2016, 06:07

It is a horrifying thought, but from readings Ive done on sourcing down, china produces the worlds down partly because they eat geese and duck in that part of the world so a lot of it comes from the meat industry, not strictly down farming.
Also, higher end furniture business seems to lead to more live plucking, but Id imagine high quality down we'd use would fall into that category.
That being said, the live plucking thought makes me shudder, and Ive tried to stay with products that at least on the surface appear to be responsible.

Not sure bout that Costco UQ tho...have you seen the video on cage-free chicken farms? Terrifying.

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**DuneElliot** · 10-25-2016, 07:37

I'd like to hear the vendors here on HF chime in on this, especially since most of them don't say on their website.

**Eidson** · 10-25-2016, 09:22

While I do genuinely appreciate the OP's concern on the topic, please keep in mind that Hammock Forums isn't run by vendors and not all of them frequent the site in order to see this repeated topic get brought up by you. I think you've been answered a few times now where various vendors source their down.

Do I wish every item I purchased had detailed information on where all of their materials were sourced, sure. Do I think it is going to happen? Absolutely not.

I appreciate the point you've brought up, and I appreciate when I can easily find all the information I'm concerned about with a product on a website, but I also take the time to research any of these factors before I make a purchase.
Have you reached out to any of the vendors you keep mentioning? A simple email to them might have better success than continually mentioning that only Zpacks and EE clearly state where their down is sourced on their sites.

So while you bring up a good issue, I'm beginning to wonder if your visits here aren't only to try and force the hands of various vendors to comply with some personal agenda.

**skyjacker** · 10-25-2016, 09:37

Originally Posted by Tacblades

Some of the audited organisations that claim tracable down is more about a marketing tool to incrase prices than anything to do with animal welfare..

What? Enlightened Equipment (one of the listed vendors that claim ethical down) is one of the cheaper quilt manufacturers. I agree there's no way to be sure, but you could say that about anything.