Down used in pillows, duvets, and outdoor clothing is often sourced from geese and ducks subjected to painful live plucking and force feeding in the foie gras industry.
Live plucking is one of the most acutely painful practices in the down industry. Birds are held down while feathers are ripped out, causing bleeding and visible distress. This occurs repeatedly throughout a bird life. Even in facilities without live plucking, slaughter conditions for geese and ducks are often poor. The Responsible Down Standard provides some assurance but is not universally adopted or robustly audited. Consumers seeking down products should look for RDS certification and traceable supply chains. Synthetic alternatives have advanced significantly and now provide equivalent thermal properties without animal welfare concerns.