Down feathers from ducks and geese are used in premium bedding and outerwear. Live plucking causes significant suffering, driving demand for Responsible Down Standard certification.
Down welfare combines two distinct practices: live plucking for feathers and force-feeding for foie gras, often from the same birds. Live plucking causes obvious acute suffering - geese and ducks vocalize intensely and show wound-site hypersensitivity afterward. The Responsible Down Standard and other certification schemes provide a mechanism for consumers who want natural down to source it from farms prohibiting these practices. However, certification coverage remains limited, and supply chain transparency in the bedding and outerwear industries has historically been poor. Synthetic alternatives have improved significantly and offer a straightforward welfare solution.