The compassion of the down

**2eez4life** · 12-09-2013, 14:52

Originally Posted by dirtwheels

To me it would seem rather silly for man to refuse to utilize the vast resources we have to improve our lives. Why not harvest the wool, down, hides and other parts of the tasty creatures here to enrich our short earthly experience. Not utilizing those seems wasteful to me to boot. Where do we draw the line in benefiting from our planets resources? I like books and fine furniture, and like animals trees reproduce. So stay warm and guilt free.

Yeah, I agree. But the question was one of means, because I do think that there is going to be a right way and a wrong way to harvest resources. I know this word has a lot of negative connotations, but sustainable!

**STinGa** · 12-09-2013, 18:29

Originally Posted by MOWOGO '72

If I worried constantly about offending ...
Good thing my wife and children are not easily offended, I would have lost them years ago!

My wife accepts my warped sense of humor and at times follows me into the gutter. My oldest is showing signs of a great sarcastic sense of humor, too. I just have to show her when to use a filter for it.

STinGa

**perdidochas** · 12-10-2013, 16:06

Originally Posted by 2eez4life

I just thought I'd ask this question here before I wasted a bunch of work time researching the topic. How is down harvested? From what birds? Are they in captivity? Are they bred strictly for their down feathers? Is there any controversy with the process such as hazardous chemical use, animal mistreatment, etc?
My eco, green, veegan, hippy friends started spouting off these questions when I was bragging about my wicked cool down insulated gear?
Pretty much, is it a sustainable practice?
Thanks.

Of course it's sustainable. The problem is that for warm winter wear you have two choices--either use unsustainable synthetics (they are made using oil which is not renewable) or use animal products like wool and down.

Down comes from ducks and geese that are raised for food. Down isn't worth enough to raise ducks/geese just for down, but it's a nice by-product.

**MOWOGO '72** · 12-10-2013, 18:11

Originally Posted by STinGa

My wife accepts my warped sense of humor and at times follows me into the gutter. My oldest is showing signs of a great sarcastic sense of humor, too. I just have to show her when to use a filter for it.

STinGa

As far as the wives... well, that's part of why we married them.
Children... the whole apple falling near the tree thing comes to mind.
I love it when a plan comes together!

**Whiskeyjack** · 12-10-2013, 18:43

Originally Posted by 2eez4life

you can probably affect dolphin populations a lot easier than the abundant tuna. ya know.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the dolphin population far exceeds the tuna population. We'll see tuna disappear in our lifetime.

As for the down, I've done quite a bit of research on it recently. Most large producers of down buy from carefully monitored farms. China isn't a big producer of quality down. The down we use is generally European or Canadian. As has been mentioned, it's a by product of the food industry. Live plucking is generally considered very cruel, and very uneconomical.
The exception are the Eiders. I've never heard of them being farmed, as they're endangered, but down is collected from nests after they're abandoned.

**tylojuky** · 12-10-2013, 22:45

I butcher my own meat.
I believe "humane" treatment should be reserved for "humans".
I'm offended by people who are too easily offended.

**Moraine** · 12-13-2013, 09:20

People are getting offended by people killing fire ants, so I'm sure there will be lots of folks upset about down use!

**2eez4life** · 12-14-2013, 01:55

Originally Posted by tylojuky

I butcher my own meat.
I believe "humane" treatment should be reserved for "humans".
I'm offended by people who are too easily offended.

haha the irony of ironys

**2eez4life** · 12-14-2013, 01:57

Originally Posted by Whiskeyjack

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the dolphin population far exceeds the tuna population. We'll see tuna disappear in our lifetime.

As for the down, I've done quite a bit of research on it recently. Most large producers of down buy from carefully monitored farms. China isn't a big producer of quality down. The down we use is generally European or Canadian. As has been mentioned, it's a by product of the food industry. Live plucking is generally considered very cruel, and very uneconomical.
The exception are the Eiders. I've never heard of them being farmed, as they're endangered, but down is collected from nests after they're abandoned.

That is terrible... I better eat as much sushi while I can... oh wait, that'll probably give me mercury poisoning.