What to do with the feathers once plucked?

[Razor1616]

I have been looking around on the internet to find a good solution. I really hate the idea of throwing things away, but I cannot find any other answers. Once you pluck the feathers from your birds processing them, is there another option other than putting them in the trash? Can you put them in "long term compost" (the compost pile for things that i don't want to throw away but don't want in my garden anytime soon, like 3 or 4 years)?

Thank you,
Nathan

 

[ChickenJerk]

"long term composting" works, very well.

 

[Birde]

See how long it takes to collect enough to stuff a pillow I don't know what to do with mine either. I save the pretty ones

 

[Oregon Blues]

They compost just fine. Also lots of people use feathers for crafts.

 

[Beekissed]

This year I'm saving and washing mine to use in pillows. Fifty young CX with clean and soft feathers? I'm not going to waste that...their feathers have very little, if any, bad smells...this I noticed when scalding and didn't smell the typical wet chicken smell that is so offensive to the nose.

 

[BackyardCoop]

Compost.

But once I figured out how to just skin a chicken, I don't mess with plucking!

 

[Beekissed]

We'll pluck those we are keeping for roasting/grilling but might skin those we will be using for boneless breasts, soups, hotpockets, etc.

 

[Razor1616]

Thanks everyone for the input. I did compost them. I will give skinning a try in the future.

~Nathan

 

[EddieLee]

I'm looking to get a few meat birds and was also wondering about feather use. It des seem like a shame to throw away so many good feathers. We may try the pillow thing. That seems like the only other solid alternative use.