What is down? What is the difference between down and feathers?
Feathers, on geese or ducks, are the outer covering of the skin that makes up the protective and decorative plumage. It has the quills, repels water and makes it possible for the ducks and geese to fly. The down is underneath the feathers. It looks like little cotton balls, and has a round center called a plumule, with thousands of tiny fibers radiating from its core. Those fibers link to other down plumules creating air pockets, which in turn trap heat. This provides the insulation that keeps the ducks and geese warm. Down is what makes it possible for the ducks and geese to swim around in freezing water without turning into popsicles. Down is mainly found on the bellies and chest of birds and only makes up approximately 12-15% of the birds overall feather weight. Down is washable. Feathers, which by their very nature repel water, are not. Most people who are allergic to feathers are not allergic to down. What is fill power and how is it measured? Down is measured by its fill power. W
