I need any information someone can give me regarding "picking" down off of a goose. i.e. How? When is the proper and best time? Precautions that I need to take (other than getting bit)? How to clean the down? etc. Thank You!

-- Zach Fisk (atozant@aol.com), February 22, 2001

Answers

I've never done it and I don't now how close it is to ducks, but a book I have on ducks does not seem to recommend it. They mention things like "the bird will USUALLY survive, but be very stress and reduces their productivity. They say do it in late spring and early summer. Only take from the underside. Do not take more than 50% and do not leave any bare patches. Also do not let the bird swim for two to three weeks. Does not sound like fun for the bird and with geese I bet you won't enjoy it either. Sorry I can't tell you more.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), February 22, 2001.

Encloypedia of Country living says,, you pick up the down after it falls off,, or you pick them when you kill the bird,, or the bord gets very stressed. Possible, but not recommended

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 22, 2001.

Oh dear! the poor old goose sure gets a hard time! Forced feeding so that he grows a huge liver for making foie gras I knew about. But plucking him live is new to me.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), February 23, 2001.

My geese always plucked themselves when they took a bath. Pick up the feathers in the water after they have had a fun time bathing.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), February 23, 2001.

DO not pick the bird! when you want high quality down you confine the bird to an area inside a small mesh fence during the molt so that the small down feathers are caught and not blown away,

then you pick the feathers off the fence and off the ground most work in to little clumps here and there just like leaves pile up.then collect the feathers in to pillow cases these should be hung so that air can get all around, pick them every day to get the cleanest,hand sort as you go,

washing feathers IS A NIGHTMARE. small amounts, like one handful in a nylon stocking [and they will still come through], maybe, a whole sack full only if you have no life,

If you must wash a pillow, transfer the feathers to a large 'tall' cardboard or wood framed, fabric covered box either will need a lid, {if you take the time to make a large fabric sack to line the box you will have more blessings than cursings when you fill the pillows back up}

On a calm sunny day the hotter the better,set the box out in the sun 'no lid'and stir the feathers several times to fluff and expost as much to the direct sun light as possible, --of course removing any obviously soiled feathers from the still clean ones, before hand,-- Then wash and dry the cases,or make new ones, and restuff the pillow.

If you have a tumble dryer,it will fluff and dry sightly damp pillows,it takes a long time, and is best for just small clean ups like just a corner,hand wash with shampoo squease between towels more than you think it needs, don't mix the wet feathers into the rest,dry on the lowest setting "forever" check it often and break up any lumps with your fingers

On a comforter, dampen some white corn meal rub it on the soiled area and brush off repete as needed, you can add a little bit of shampoo just enough to make a few bubbles in the water, just to break the tention in the water that is used to dampen the meal, work it over in stages to keep the feathers dry.

If the comforter gets wet, like a spill, don't mash it,[if you can help it] if it is water set a fan to blow on it from both sides is best, if it is urine or sugary {these must not be left because the feathers will begin to decompose} place it over a tub and pore warm baking soda water through to clean and set it with the fan etc, avoid rubbing or mashing as it is all but impossible to re-fluff the featers in a compforter because of the confined area for the featers.

After it is -completely- dry, give it longer then you think it needs, a light beating will help to fluff it,hope that all helps.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), February 23, 2001.

WOW, Thumper! Everything I always wanted to know about down but was afraid to ask! Thanks! I, like Zach, was thinking of making a down pillow or comforter one of these days, but didn't even know how to begin. Now I know to begin by building an enclosure to catch the down. Thanks again!

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 23, 2001.

Yikes!! No wonder a feather bed was such a luxury!

-- Mona in OK (jascamp@ipa.net), February 24, 2001.

Ah, Thumper. Takes me back to when I butchered the first batch of ducks we had, and was saving the feathers in paper bags which I put in the garage "just for a while". Forgot about them until hubby opened the big door and then I came in the small door, just as a large gust of wind blew through. Picture feathers and down EVERYWHERE in the garage. Needless to say, he is still finding feathers in the tools and wasn't a happy camper that day!! It takes a ton of down to make a comforter! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 24, 2001.

A friend gave me a goose a few weeks ago.I have to watch my back while feeding the other animals.If I get too busy and forget about the goose that is when I get bit.One of my LaMancha does I got from Vicki will chase the goose away. I plan on getting another goose to go with this one and will enjoy picking the feathers when they start to molt.

-- Bettie Ferguson (jobett@dixie-net.com), February 26, 2001.