Duck and goose down is a high-tech material from nature. Find facts, myths, and explanations here!

Why use down as insulation material?

Nothing is as good as nature. No Primaloft, no synthetic fiber can match the heat retention of high-quality down.

Down is the undercoat of waterfowl, consisting of tufts of light, fluffy filaments growing from a faintly defined down core, but without a shaft or vane. Down grows beneath the outermost protective plumage and is most abundant in the breast area. 

We use new down. New Class I down, as recycled down often requires a very high level of resources to bring it up to an acceptable standard, and its durability is compromised. 

washed, dried and hygienically treated. 

Differences between down and feathers

Down feathers don't have a quill, but rather a point-like core, which makes them much more elastic. Down is lighter than feathers. As three-dimensional structures, they have greater volume or fill power. 

Because of its three-dimensional structure and its ability to constantly restore it, a down feather traps a large amount of air relative to its weight. A good down feather has approximately 2 million fluffy barbs that interlock. These form a layer of non-thermally conductive air that insulates against the cold. Due to its elasticity, down feathers can be squeezed or compressed; thorough fluffing quickly restores them to their original shape. 

 Under a microscope, goose down and duck down show a slightly different and denser structure. It can trap more air and therefore has greater fill power. 

Eastern Europe
all levels certified
Duck down DW
DW Hybrid
A long-standing partner from Germany. He sources the down from Eastern European companies that can guarantee it according to RDS certification.

www.vdfi.de

The bedding industry processes down and feathers that are a by-product of poultry meat production, in line with sustainable business practices. 

Furthermore, as part of a traceability system, the association members document their purchases of down and feathers. The companies' operational practices are regularly monitored through audits conducted by independent testing and certification organizations. 

Traceability of down and feathers back to the breeding farm is ensured, with the possibility of extending this to the parent animal farm if necessary.

The supply chain is reviewed through announced and unannounced audits (at least every two years).

There are many ways to cover yourself in bed. Why should you choose a feather or down comforter?

Feathers and down combine all the advantages of nature. This is not found in any other filling material. Sleeping under a feather and down bed has long been proven to be beneficial, healthy, and restful. Feathers and down are extremely lightweight.

Feathers and down have a specially structured air cushion between them. Air, as everyone knows, is a poor conductor of heat.

Every person can release up to half a liter of moisture while sleeping. Feathers and down have the excellent property of easily wicking this moisture away from the body. This creates a pleasant, dry sleeping environment.

Only feathers and down from geese and ducks can be used as filling material. The curved quill of the feathers is a great advantage here, as its elasticity creates the necessary resilience. This is crucial for the support function of pillows, for example. Chicken feathers, by their nature, are flat and not suitable for use in pillows and duvets.

The difference in the plumage of ducks and geese lies in the size of the feathers. Goose feathers are more voluminous and have more down at the base than duck feathers. This allows them to trap more air.

A down feather (see right) has no quill. From a central point, it unfolds a multitude of branching hairs. In three dimensions, it resembles a ball. The size of the down feathers is significantly influenced by the animal's habitat. The colder the habitat, the larger the down feathers.
Down is extremely lightweight. Compared to feathers, it contains a particularly large number of air pockets and therefore has the best insulating properties. However, this also makes it the most expensive filling.

Not all feathers are suitable for use in bedding.

Only about 300g of a goose's plumage is usable:
1 - Breast feathers made of down, approx. 60g
2 - fine body and side feathers with downy covering, approx. 150g
3 usable wing and tail feathers, approx. 90g

Depending on the size, we count between one and two million down feathers per kilogram. The color of the plumage has nothing to do with the quality of the feathers and down. This is solely due to pigmentation. The fill quality is usually indicated on a label attached to the product. This label provides information such as the color designation, the down content of the filling, whether it is new or used, possibly the geographical origin, and the classification (e.g., Class I for waterfowl and purity grade).

And this is how the individual spring qualities are composed:

Dispose of sustainably

Discarded down and feathers can be used as excellent nitrogen fertilizer in flower boxes or garden beds! The microorganisms in the soil decompose the feathers, allowing their components to be absorbed by the plants.

Down and feathers are environmentally friendly because, after they have served their purpose as filling material, they can be used as valuable fertilizer. As part of the research conducted at the University of Hohenheim on "Use of feather meal as organic nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture and horticulture," the nutrient content of feather meal, horn meal, and manure was comparatively analyzed. Here are the results:
Comparison of the nutrient content of
Feather meal, horn meal and stable manure

Care

Shake and air the duvet by an open window in dry weather. This loosens the filling and creates new air spaces. Airing also helps remove moisture from the night. Down and feather duvets are easy to care for and undemanding. Down and feathers are not afraid of water! Please ensure they dry thoroughly afterward!
Please never place in direct sunlight or beat or vacuum it!

A good bed can be expected to last at least 15 years.

However, it's not possible to do without any maintenance at all. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind:

Shake your bed daily if possible. This loosens the filling and facilitates moisture release throughout the day.

Ventilate your bedroom, and therefore your bed, several times a week.

Do not beat your bed.

The bed must not be vacuumed. This can cause the cover to lose its down-proof properties. Small feathers may be pulled through.

Do not place the bed in direct sunlight. Firstly, the cover can be damaged by UV light, and secondly, the protective keratin layer around the springs could be damaged.