Farmers usually harvest goose down after the birds are slaughtered for meat, and most geese are killed about 15 weeks after hatching. But farmers may also pluck the feathers when geese are still alive, a painful process akin to someone ripping out human hair, animal welfare and advocacy groups say.

Are geese tortured for down?

Ducks and geese used for down suffer immensely. Tell companies to ditch the cruelly obtained material.

Do geese suffer for down?

Aware of the fact that geese do suffer when their down is live- plucked, we require our supplier to certify that all down for Pata- gonia products come from slaughterhouses and not contain any live-plucked down.

Can you get down without killing geese?

While most down and other feathers are removed from ducks and geese during slaughter, birds in breeding flocks and those raised for meat may be plucked repeatedly while they are still alive. Plucking causes geese and ducks considerable pain and distress.

Are geese raised just for down?

Ducks and geese are not raised solely for their feathers and down though. They are raised and used instead for eggs, meat or foie gras*. Purchasing down products directly supports these industries.

Are geese plucked alive for down?

Farmers usually harvest goose down after the birds are slaughtered for meat, and most geese are killed about 15 weeks after hatching. But farmers may also pluck the feathers when geese are still alive, a painful process akin to someone ripping out human hair, animal welfare and advocacy groups say.

Is Canada goose cruel to animals?

Canada Goose jackets are products of cruelty, and it’s not just coyotes who are killed. The company also uses down from birds who died violently. Geese used for their down are inevitably sent to the slaughterhouse, where standard practice is to hang them upside down, stun them, and then slit their throats.

Is goose down ethical?

If the label says the comforter is made with 800 fill power and 85 percent European goose down, for example, it would actually have to meet those standards to be in compliance with ADFC certifications.
RDS vs. GTDS standards.

Ethical standard	Responsible Down	Global Traceable Down
Five Freedoms	Yes	Yes

Does live plucking hurt?

Live plucking (including as a result of harvesting/gathering) is not acceptable on welfare grounds and should be prohibited worldwide. It can lead to bruising, skin injuries and bleeding wounds, causing pain, suffering and distress to birds.