Can't use down feathers

[VictoriaGuy]

I respect the vegan intent. To respect the animals is noble. At the same time, suggesting that collecting feathers that naturally fall (even sheep shearing inconveniences the sheep) is insensitive is a real stretch for me.

The real question could be, what are the conditions of the birds while their down is collected and, even more importantly, do they have regularly scheduled lunch breaks.

Very, very, very little down is 'collected as it falls' nowadays - this idea comes from the collection of eider down in the olden days.

I'd assumed that all down comes from slaughtered birds, which is OK with me, since I do eat meat - though I do object to the 'living' conditions of most livestock we raise for meat production.
Reading this thread led me to an internet search, and I'm quite upset to learn that most down on the market is pulled from live birds, which I think is cruel.

http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cru...ndfeathers.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_feather#Human_use

So I think that a bit of 'consciousness raising' about this issue by vegans is a good thing.

Ridiculing vegan beliefs isn't very appropriate, in my opinion. Hundreds of millions of people are vegetarians by choice and vegans are just 'strict' vegetarians. Many of us meat-eaters would be hard-pressed to justify the way our food is produced, if we took the time to find the facts.

[fallkniven]

hhmmm, I once read that the majority of down comes from hunters, and the rest mainly comes from farmers. Never heard of them picking live birds, kinda like sheep, but sheep need it. I can believe it.

[Tuckahoe]

I read the post as well and didnt think it warrented a chuckle. The kid chooses not to use down. Can't see much wrong with that.

[Dutch]

I do know that Downlite at least says they buy their down from birds harvested for their meat and it isn't live harvested. How well they verify that is suspect though. I think the Vegan's might overstate the amount of live harvesting that is happening to help make their point.

[Mumbles]

I respect the choices of others so long as they don't force their beliefs upon me. I sleep well in my down quilts and bags and enjoy my omnivore meals.

[Nhott]

I for one find his decision admirable. I don't feel it's proper for me to post this video here, but if you want to see what happens to get the down most of use, search "The Ultimate Pillow Fight: Down in 60 Seconds"

[Hangandy]

Thanks for the insight. Again, I respect people who respect animals and don't want my Karma to run over anyone's Dogma.

If it is any consolation, at the high prices of the quality down we hammockers use, I suspect most down products see many years of use and are not cast out every year as one might the lower quality Walmart gear.

800+ Down = greater value product = longer term of use = fewer items produced = fewer geese harvested

[old4hats]

Nuts. I like nuts, especially peanuts. I can get along well with nuts that don't talk.

[olddog]

Mumbles, I believe you have nailed it. I used to be rather succinct in my responses then in my old age tended to carry on. Anymore ... c'est la vie.

[sr1355]

Reading this thread led me to an internet search, and I'm quite upset to learn that most down on the market is pulled from live birds, which I think is cruel.

Live harvest is banned in almost all countries involved with the production of down for the garment industry. Most commercial down suppliers all have instituted some form of program to monitor animal care from egg to dinner table. The consumer is demanding ethical treatment of the animals. Here are a couple of articles regarding TNF and Allied Down.

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