Blue Mason Jar Studio: {Organic Wednesday} Fine Featherheads

After doing much research on if feathers are a humane or Eco-friendly, I have come to some conclusions and found more information. Many weddings are using feathers in their decor or bouquets and I felt like everyone should be more informed. Please feel free to comment below, add more information, or give suggestions!! Because feathers are not like hair or sheep wool, they do not grow continuously year-round. The quill (stem) tip of a broken feather must fall out before a new one grows in, and that can take a long time. All birds molt their old feathers every year and then grow new ones. The feathers must fall out naturally from the bird.

If you are truly serious about CRUELTY FREE feathers do not buy anything that is trimmed. This means the ends of the shafts have been cut off; the main reason for doing this is to disguise the fact that the feather was not naturally shed. Peacocks are farmed on a large scale in China, where people eat them, when they are slaughtered their tail feathers are cut off and sold very cheaply. This is where most of the large scale suppliers get their Peacock feathers. Bird’s feathers have a blood vessel running from the body of the bird into the first couple inches of the shaft of the feather, as they near their annual molting/shedding this vessel recedes out of the feather and the feather basically dies, it then falls out. Plucked or closely cut feathers will bleed. A naturally shed feather has it’s entire shaft intact and the end tapers to a point with a tiny hole in the center where the blood vessel used to be. Feathers from slaughtered birds are trimmed to remove the portion that still has the vessel and the blood in it. Read more...

You have a few other options to consider. Buy synthetic feathers, but they may also be produced in a manufacturing plant that is not 100% Eco-friendly, except you can use them over and over again and they will last longer than natural feathers. Or if you are completely against all animal cruelty this may be your best option.

ANOTHER OPTION FOR YOU. Feather extensions are also very popular and if you want to buy the most Eco-friendly and humane real feathers please buy them from Fine Featherheads™ - The Original Feather Hair Extension or have them put in at a salon who uses their products. Colorboxx Salon in Savannah, GA uses their products and you can contact them at 912-236-8900 http://colorboxx.com/

What are feather extensions and what is Fine Featherheads?

Fine Featherheads™ - The Original Feather Hair Extension are the preferred line, and consist of four feathers bonded at the tip to create one extension, ranging in length from 8 – 12 inches. The feathers come in a full spectrum of colors—from subtle and natural to playful and wild—and a variety of lengths, from 3 to 16 inches. They can be brushed, blow-dried, straightened and curled (up to 450°F)—basically, they can be treated like natural hair.

Featherheads was founded in 2010 in Boulder, CO. Their all-natural rooster feathers are sourced from a single farm- Whiting Farms. At Whiting Farms the roosters are treated ethically. The feathers are washed with a 100% inert (non-toxic) detergent, and then dyed with an organic, mineral-based dye.

Featherheads are also dedicated to making a difference in the environment. Here’s how: Their packaging – has as much recycled packaging as possible, all of their packaging is recyclable! They donate 1% of their sales to environmental groups around the world., and so much more!

About Whiting Farms:

Tom Whiting excels in providing an immaculate, healthy, and stress free environment for his birds. Tom cares deeply for the environment and the impact his operation has upon it. But, the truth is, yes their birds are humanly euthanized for their feathers. They live long healthy happy lives at the farm though in order to grow long feathers. The birds are 100% natural, antibiotic and hormone free. Whiting Farms has a zero waste operation. In comparison to the poultry and egg industry, Whiting Farms is much more humane and conscious that the majoirity of the chicken and egg providers. Tom is also one of the major players who is actively developing cage-free hen and poultry lines. Read more...

Here is a gorgeous video of a wedding that used Featherheads: