Elizabeth Neville, Global Animal
- Miley Cyrus setting a bad trend. Photo Credit: Styleite
Feather “hair extensions,” are roosting upon manes across the nation. A trend popularized by celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, adding plumage to one’s coiffure is now such a coveted fashion statement that one internet company even sells feather extensions for dogs. But, where do these lovely feathers come from? Before feathering your own locks (or your dog’s!), please consider the thousands of innocent lives which are taken to produce these plumes.
If you know fly fishing paraphernalia, and thought that these silky bits in people’s’ hair seemed strangely familiar… well, you’re onto something. The feathers used for hair extensions, are the same ones used by fly fisherman as lures, and feather-craving fashionistas everywhere are now snatching them up at hundreds of dollars above the market price.
According to an article on Bloomberg Businessweek, “A package of the most popular fly tying hackle for hair extensions, a black and white striped feather called grizzly saddle, would normally retail anywhere from $40 to $60. It sold for $480 on eBay last month after 31 bids.” At the most, these feather hair extensions can be worn for three months.
Thousands of beautiful roosters are killed every week due to the increased demand for feather hair extensions.
So, why pay so much for these feathers? Well, the roosters in question have been specifically bred to produce unnaturally long and strikingly beautiful saddle feathers (the ones on the bird’s backside), which are considered more desirable for fly fishing — and now, for fashion.
Naturally, this price inflation has become a major annoyance to fly fishermen, but whether for bait or coiffure accessorizing, to take the lives of sentient beings for such fleeting and trivial purposes is troubling in itself.
Whiting Farms in western Colorado is the world’s largest producer of fly tying feathers. There, the roosters are given only a year to live while their saddle feathers grow as long as possible. (Research varies, but when they aren’t killed for their plumage, roosters can naturally live to be 10-15 years old.)
Once the feathers are deemed satisfactory, the rooster is slaughtered, and his feathers plucked. His lifeless body is then thrown out for compost; Thomas Whiting, the company founder (via the Orange County Register), claims that, ”They aren’t good for anything else.” The Whiting Farms website boasts that “over 125,000 total birds (were) harvested in 2000.”
According to the Orange County Register article, Whiting Farms now ships out 65,000 bird hides per week as it tries to meet the aggressive demands of salon owners and stylists, as well as its classic fly fishing clientele. Needless to say, that is quite a haunting increase in rooster death… all for a faddish, temporary hair accessory, produced in a manner that screams disconnect.
As “supply” (here, meaning animal slaughter) levels respond to demand, it is within our collective power as consumers to dictate what is worth buying. Do you want to feed your money and image into this bloody phenomenon? Fashion trends come and go, but compassion is always cool.
and a portion of all purchases is donated to Global Animal Foundation:
There is no difference between these feathers from roosters than any other bird raised for feathers; Ostrich, peacock, pheasant, duck. All these birds are specifically raised for feathers. People are causing a rakus because really cool people are wearing them. Feathers are worn in many different ways and for centuries by every kind of culture. Nothing new here, except the rise in popularity of a specicifc breed. I say thank you, as a self-employed jewelry maker, feather extensions have added another dimension and I love it. I love the natural feeling of feathers in my hair as well as in jewelry. All the years that feathers have been used, im gald to see a new feather thats beautiful and thank you to the fly fisherman for sharing. I am raising my own birds for feathers and dye them by hand. Im happy to be able to provide that environmentally friendly small family farm raised to both salons and fly shops. There will always be the alternaitve to even a grim popular fashion. Have some hope people. Animal anything will always be in demand, and thank you for inspiring me to do my own thing the way you prefer to see it done. The more you complain, the more it gets demand, and that demand will come my way. urbeautimous@gmail.com
What the hell is this about? I am a vegetarian chicken owner, and they lose feathers constantly. The issue isn’t that people need to stop wearing feathers – it is that they need to look into where they get feathers. It is O.K. to consume – it is not O.K. to consume mindlessly, and that applies to far more than this issue. Also, roosters can be bastards who will kill hens and chicks, and they need to be taken out of the equation. A reality of farming. I can’t imagine this trend is so large as to be providing economic incentive for factory-farm-style rooster feather operations. But if it’s true.. well.. welcome to America in 2011.
Do you realize how stupid that all sounds? You are a vegetarian chicken farmer who thinks roosters are bastards that should be taken out… um k. Just stop.
You are so right Xethanx, I have chickens and my roo, who has beautiful grizzly hackles, attacks me regularly. People don’t realize most roosters don’t make it to maturity, they are slaughtered and sold in the market. Where do they think that young tender bird in the package comes from?? If anything, this trend is allowing more roosters to live LONGER lives while waiting for those feathers to grow! People don’t realize that an old chicken is NOT what your ar buying in the store, they are old and tough and only good for a stewing pot.
USAR ANIMALES PARA CUALQUIER COSA , ME PARECE INMORAL Y CRUEL .LA ESPECIE HUMANA SE CREE QUE TIENE PODER SOBRE TODAS LAS DEMAS ESPECIES Y USA Y ABUSA DE LAS OTRAS ESPECIES COMO SI FUERAN PATRIMONIO SUYO .ASQUEROSO , INMORAL , CRUEL . ALGUN DIA ESAS PERSONAS TENDRAN EL CASTIGO QUE SE MERECEN.
Thats a crock of chit. They pull the feathers, they do not kill the chiken. LMAO You Animal Rights Activists are full of it. We show chikens and pull feathers all the time to be sure they are in show condition for showing. Chickens cost money to buy, why would you kill your income. They don’t kill the chicken!
If you read the article you might notice that the guy who runs the largest fly fishing feather producer in the world admits that they kill the birds and throw them away.
Because they have a lot more money than you and because they can. It’s sad, but it is a fact that these chickens are being killed just as the article states. You won’t find any credible place that opposes that as fact.
Don’t be so naive. Since the feathers don’t grow back, why keep and feed the birds??? They don’t. They harvest all of the useful feathers at once and dispose. You should think things through before you LYAO.
Well this article is technically a lie. Thats right is totally BS.
The Roosters used for Hair Feathers are genetically bred to be used for fly fishing. The reason the hair feathers are so expensive is becuase the demand outnumbers the supply. The roosters killed would have been killed and used for fly fishing anyway.
Being that it takes 18 & 1/2 months for the feathers to mature thousands are NOT being slautered every week nor at a higher rate.
Grow up guys… I doubt any of you will THINK about this and listen tho. lol. Get over it.
jkh
You seem to have missed the point of the article. When people go to get little feathers put in their hair, they frequently have no idea that they are putting money into what is, essentially, an animal-killing-machine. Not everyone agrees, but seeing as this is an animal rights magazine, it’s safe to say that a company that kills chickens for TWO frivolous, stupid purposes (one which perpetuates even more animal killing) is not one to support with business, especially for grossly inflated prices. This article enlightens people to this sad fact, so they can make informed decisions.
It’s called responsible consumerism. Please think about what you read before you denounce something as “totally BS” and insult the people reading it. Also, learn to use an apostrophe.
putting money into an animal killing machine?? A rooster that is already being bred for fly-fishing… oh do you wear leather shoes or eat meat?
No. Again, it’s called responsible consumerism.
I love my hair feathers and for others who enjoy this style, there is a responsible way to achieve the desired look. Simply, DO NOT go to a salon and have them installed! All fowl naturally molt…pick up the feathers, wash with gentle detergent, and dye/paint them if you wish. To install them just use the micro crimps/beads sold at the local Sally Beauty Supply. Fin. It is always possible to be sensible, socially responsible, and stylish. For those who think it “gross” to do this process on their own, or think themselves too good for the DIY process – well, essentially you’re wearing ass feathers on your head – so, believe me, you’re not above going about this process the responsible way!
Cheers! Excellent article!!!
Take a look at this cruelty free alternative to the rooster feather extensions.
Cruelty Free Synthetic Feather Hair Extensions
http://www.etsy.com/people/MegsFauxFeathers
I’m really into the trend of retail being in retail myself, but not at the cost of any animal. As an importer I know how it works. There are not to many laws overseas and in other countries. I agree with your statement “ Fashion trends come and go, but compassion is always cool. We are selling the feather hair extensions but they are all synthetic . They are a lot less expensive and look just like the real ones but didn’t cost any animal their life. http://www.glasspendantswholesale.com
That’s a good life span for any chicken especially male. Almost all cockerels are killed after being born and sexed. Do your homework.
I agree here, I have chickens, and unfortunatly when males are hatched usually only one stays with our coop, the rest are killed. (We eat them) I usualy let them live with the “flock” as long as there are no problems, but roosters are notorious for harrassing my females, Chasing and attacking my young daughter. As there are problems they are killed. I’m sure the feather extensions are causing more to be killed, but I’m sure it is done in a humane way, or they wouldn’t be able to do it.
I’m sure they’re done in the same “humane” way in which we kill the male chicks Robertgammie mentioned. They’re either ground up alive in a macerator, or they’re thrown into a huge dumpster in plastic bags, where they suffocate.
I know it’s nice to believe that things are done humanely in the animal exploitation industry, but 2 or 3 minutes of research would probably be helpful.
If you oppose the killing of roosters for fashion, please “Like” and “Share” this facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Hair-Salons-and-Stylists-Who-Refuse-to-do-Feather-Extensions/172885746108800
Thank you!