FOIRE AUX QUESTIONS
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- Cliquez ici pour en lire plus sur notre engagement envers les produits d'origine éthique.
The short answer is yes! All of the down and feather we use is by-product of the meat industry that would otherwise go to the landfill. We have zero tolerance for the inhumane treatment of animals, including live-plucking, force-feeding, overcrowding, and neglect. Read on for more details about how we verify that all of our raw materials meet our standards.
IDFL Down Standard
IDFL’s Traceability Audit System involves rigorous audits and inspections of the entire supply chain, from parent farm to the end retailer, conducted to assess adherence to the requirements of the IDFL Down Standard. Obtainment of the IDS Certification verifies that down and feather products are ethically sourced and traceable through the supply chain to the parent farm.
For a product to be considered ethically sourced, animals must be treated humanely. Live-harvesting, live-plucking, molt-harvesting, force-feeding, over-crowding, neglect and abuse are strictly prohibited. People must be given a safe, clean place to work with well-maintained facilities, and must be paid fairly, given adequate time off and breaks, and must meet the minimum legal age of employment. Suppliers must be aware of their environmental impact and demonstrate a commitment to reducing their climatic footprint.
Canadian Down & Feather Company has passed IDFL’s Traceability Audit and was the first company in Canada to be both IDS and RDS Certified.
CDFC’s suppliers have also recently been audited and certified, and products will soon bear the IDS Certification Logo.
Norme duvet responsable
IDFL is also approved to audit for and issue the Responsible Down Standard Certification, which verifies the humane rearing and handling of animals in the down and feather supply chain. Animals must be treated with respect and must not be subject to unnecessary harm, including live- plucking, molt-harvesting and force-feeding. Products may only be RDS Certified if they contain 100% RDS Certified material, traceable through the chain of custody.
Canadian Down & Feather Company is RDS Certified and products will soon bear the RDS Certification logo.
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- Click here to read the full article about down vs feather.
Look and Feel
Down is the soft undercoating of geese and ducks. It consists of clusters of light, fluffy filaments growing from a central quill point.
Feathers are the outer growth of birds. Feathers consist of a hard quill shaft (or stem) with a series of fibres extending from each side.
Loft
Loft is a measure of the fluffiness of down and is also a great indicator of its overall quality. The loft measurement is not used for feather.
Duvet Warmth and Weight
Down is the best insulator per ounce over any other fill, natural or man-made. Down provides much more warmth per ounce than feathers. For this reason, feather duvets contain significantly more fill and are heavier than down duvets. They require more fill to achieve the same level of insulation and warmth.
Pillow Support
Down provides minimal head and neck support in pillows. Pillows containing feather provide more resilient support and firmness due to the springy feather quills/stems.
Scarcity and Price
Down is more expensive than feathers. Due to its luxurious feel and excellent insulating properties, down is more prized than feathers by consumers. Down is also scarcer – each bird yields much more feather than it does down.
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Loft is a far more important measure of quality than species. The higher the loft, the higher the quality of the down.
If goose down and duck down have the same loft, they are essentially the same quality. Both species of down can be sourced in low and high lofts.
There are two main differences between duck and goose down to consider. Duck down has a greater tendency to have an odour if exposed to moisture. This tendency is even higher for lower loft duck down. Duck down is also less expensive than goose down. It's important to us to offer duck down products as lower cost options, especially since they can be just as cozy, luxurious and long-lasting.
Read more about goose vs duck here.
Compare the species for all products at a glance here.
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- Check out the infographic here to learn more.
Loft is a measure of the fluffiness of down. Higher loft means down is fluffier, higher quality and warmer per ounce.
A duvet with higher loft down is NOT warmer than a duvet with lower loft down. We adjust the weights of our duvets to account for differences in loft. The warmth of a duvet is rated using the following categories (from least warm to most warm): Summer, Regular, All Season, Winter.
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Hutterite colonies are self-sufficient communities, many of which are located in the Canadian prairies. Hutterite-raised geese and ducks provide high quality feather and down. Since the Hutterites raise their geese and ducks as a primary source of food, they do not use growth hormones nor over-feed their livestock, but allow these birds to grow to full maturity as they are free to roam in the open landscape of the Northwestern prairies. The down and feather yielded by these birds is therefore exceptionally loftier, longer and fuller.
Hutterite down is world-renowned as one of the highest quality fills available.
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Our dimensions are as follows:
Twin - 64" x 86"
Double - 78" x 86"
XL King - 110" x 100"
Queen - 88" x 90"
XL Queen - 96" x 98"
King - 102" x 90"
You can find dimensions for all products on our Standard Dimensions page.
You can also find dimensions listed on each product page on the 'Caractéristiques' tab (next to 'Description').
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We specialize in manufacturing down and feather products. Although this remains our specialty, we have launched duvet covers as of November 18, 2022! These covers are designed to fit our duvets precisely.
We understand that you may prefer a colour or style that we don't offer, and your can shop elsewhere for covers as you see fit. There are still plenty of options on the market that can work with our products.Most department stores and major online retailers carry duvet covers.
You duvet cover can be 1-2" larger or smaller on all sides than your duvet. For example, if you purchase a Queen duvet, which is 88" x 90", your cover can be as small as 82" x 86" or as large as 92" x 94".
All of our duvets are made with corner loops, so they pair wonderfully with duvet covers with corner ties, which affix the duvet in place.
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Our Warmth Ratings
Our duvets come in a variety of weights, or warmth ratings. From least warm to most warm, they are:
Summer Weight, Regular Weight, All Season Weight and Winter Weight.
Summer Weight has the least amount of fill, so it is the least warm. Winter Weight has the most amount of fill, so it is the most warm.
You can find the exact difference in ounces on the 'Caractéristiques' tab on the product page (next to 'Description')
Recommended Room Temperature
Summer Weight is best for warmer room temperatures (22C or above), or for hot sleepers. Regular Weight is best for moderate/regular room temperatures (around 19-21C), or for those who feel warm when they sleep. All Season Weight is great for cooler room temperatures (around 16-18C) or for those who feel a bit chilly when they sleep. Winter Weight is best for cold room temperatures (15C or below), or for those looking for a very warm duvet. You can find the recommended temperature ranges for each weight in the product description on the product page.
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You can compare products at a glance on ce tableau pratique!
The main differences lie in:
- Type of Fill: Duvets might be filled with down, feather, or microfiber (polyester). Difference between feather & down.
- Down Quality: The higher the loft, the higher the down quality- Fabric Softness: The higher the thread count of the shell, the softer and less noisy it will be
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If you're looking for a heavier-style duvet, take a look at the White Goose Feather Duvet, Microfiber Down Alternative Duvet or Gel Microfiber Down Alternative Duvet.(These 3 duvets are our heaviest and are all the exact same weight!)
Duvets filled with feather or microfiber are much heavier than duvets filled with down. This is because feather and microfiber are not very good insulators. We require a lot of fill to achieve the desired warmth. Down is a very good insulator. Just a little bit of down fill goes a long way in providing the warmth we're looking for!
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Pillows should be replaced every 3 years or so, if they are kept in a clean environment and used with pillow protectors at all times. If pillows are kept in a dusty or dirty environment or are not used with pillow protectors, they may need replacing sooner. The reason for replacing pillows is for health and cleanliness. Down and feather pillows are quite resilient - they keep their shape, re-lofting abilities and performance level for many, many years.
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- Difference between feather & down.
You can compare products at a glance on ce tableau pratique!
The main differences lie in:
Type of Fill
Pillows might be filled with:
Duvet - Down is made up of tiny, fluffy clusters and is not able to provide much support in pillows. Down pillows are very soft, sinky and malleable in nature. Even the Firm version of down pillows are quite puffy and fluffy, but compress down with the weight of the head.
Feather - Feathers have springy quills, so they provide great, resilient support in pillows. Feather pillows are hefty, firm and supportive. While they have more 'give' than foam or latex pillows, they keep the head much more elevated and supported than down-filled pillows.
Combination of Down and Feather (Down Perfect) - Down Perfect Pillows feature a feather core, which makes up most of the pillow's fill. The feather core provides resilient support. The feather core is surrounded by a layer of soft down, which creates a buffer against the feather quills. This combination of support and luxurious feel is what makes our Down Perfect Pillows so popular!
Microfiber (Polyester) - Microfiber is soft polyester made up of very thin strands. A piece of Microfiber looks something like a pulled apart cotton ball. Microfiber is soft and plush, but denser than down, so it doesn't compress quite as much with the weight of the head. Microfiber provides a bit more support than down, but not as much as feather.
Down Quality
The higher the loft, the higher the down quality.
La douceur du tissu
The higher the thread count of the shell, the softer and less noisy it will be.
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Finding the right pillow can be very tricky, and it can vary based on personal preference and body size!
As a general guideline:
Side Sleepers tend to need a lot of support in order to keep the head elevated and aligned .
Most side sleepers prefer Feather pillow - Medium or Firm; Down Perfect Pillow - Medium or Firm.
Back Sleepers or Combination Sleepers tend to prefer moderate support. Back sleepers or those who sleep in multiple positions may prefer Feather pillow - Soft or Medium; Down Perfect Pillow - Medium; Down pillow - Medium or Firm Gel Microfiber; Down Alternative Pillow - Medium
Front Sleepers usually need a flatter-style, softer pillow that doesn't prop the head up too much or restrict breathing. Front sleepers tend to prefer Feather pillow - Soft; Down pillow - Soft or Medium Microfiber Down Alternative Pillow - Soft
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- TAKE THE QUIZ
Our pillow quiz makes it easier for you to find your perfect match.
The quiz is intended to help narrow your search based on general rules of thumb, but personal preferences may vary. In addition to taking the quiz, we recommend reading product descriptions, help center articles, and the product comparison chart. Our customer service team is here if you have any further questions.
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- Click here to watch the video!
Down and feather pillows are wonderfully plump and fluffy, but we compress and flatten them a bit for shipping! It only takes a few seconds to fluff them up, let the air back in, and give your cushions their groove back!
Fluff opposite corners and sides repeatedly by hand and watch your cushion insert grow.
We've created a fun video to illustrate :)
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Our cushion covers are made to match our cushion sizes nicely. A 20" x 20" cushion insert fills out a 20" x 20" cushion cover best!
However, if you prefer an extra full or over-stuffed look, you can purchase a cushion insert 1 or 2 sizes larger than your cover.
You can find a more detailed guide here.
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Products filled with down and feather should not be washed at home. Down and feather are very sensitive to moisture. If any moisture is left inside the product, mold, mildew and other bacteria can develop. Besides, most home machines are too small for bulky bedding products, which can cause additional wear and tear on the fabric!
Microfiber Down Alternative Products
Products filled with microfiber can be washed and dried at home in large machines on a low heat setting.
You can find detailed care instructions for your product by visiting the product page and clicking 'Care'. Care instructions are also written on your product packaging.
Please note that caring for your product improperly may result in invalidation of the warranty.
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- Click to read all of our shipping information.
Shipping to North America (Canada, USA & Mexico) is FREE! :)
You will find expedited shipping options available in the cart for a fee, if that suits you. (Please note that even if you pay for expedited shipping, we do require 1-2 business days to prepare and pack the product before it ships!)
International shipping is calculated at checkout.
All goods are shipped from Canada. Duties, taxes, or other import fees may be collected upon delivery to USA or any other country outside of Canada. Residents of USA or Mexico, if you are charged any additional fees upon delivery, please contact us for reimbursement.
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- Cliquez ici pour lire toutes nos informations sur l'expédition.
We ship on a best effort basis. While not guaranteed, most shipments will arrive within the timelines posted below.
Please note that if you pay for expedited shipping, the product won't leave our warehouse immediately. We do require 1-2 business days to prepare and pack the product before it ships :)
Canada
British Columbia: 6-8 business days
All Other Provinces: 4-7 business days
Territories: 14-20 business days
U.S.A.
48 Contiguous States: 10-14 business days
AK & HI: 14-20 business days
Tracking information may not be displayed while the shipment is in transit from Toronto to the United States.
Mexico
6 - 10 business days.
Tracking information may not be displayed while the shipment is in transit from Toronto to Mexico.
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Our holiday order cut-off date for Canada & USA is December 18, 2022. Orders placed by December 18th will arrive by December 24th, barring any unforeseen carrier delays or force majeure. Orders placed after this date will be shipped as quickly as possible, but we cannot guarantee delivery by Christmas.
We cannot guarantee Christmas delivery for orders shipped to countries other than Canada & USA.
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You can return any unused product within 30 days for a full refund. We'll even cover the return shipping cost! :)
Please ensure you meet the following criteria to be eligible for a refund:
Your product must be purchased at www.canadiandownandfeather.com. You must be located in Canada or the USA. Your item must be unused, unwashed and in original condition. (You can take the product out of the packaging and give it a feel - no problem! The product will be considered used if you've slept with it. If your product has been used, we may be able to customize it to make it more suitable for you. Click here for more info.)You must have received the item less than 30 days ago.
How does it work?
If you’d like to return your purchase, fill out the Return Request Form here. Our customer service team will email you with a prepaid return label. Put the product back in its original packaging and parcel it up in a cardboard box. You can use the original box, or a box of similar size. Affix the prepaid return label to the box and drop it off with the carrier indicated on the label within 7 days of receiving the label.4 days after we receive your return, we'll do a quick inspection of the product to make sure it's in original condition and we’ll process your refund (including shipping fees!) to the original form of payment. Please remember that it can take a few business days for the funds to appear in your account. If you purchased pillows on our Buy One Get One 50% Off sale, see special terms and conditions.
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If you’d like to return your purchase, fill out the Return Request Form ici.
Our customer service team will email you with a prepaid return label.
Put the product back in its original packaging and parcel it up in a cardboard box. You can use the original box, or a box of similar size.
Affix the prepaid return label to the box and drop it off with the carrier indicated on the label within 7 days of receiving the label.
To protect our staff against the spread of illness, all returns will remain unopened for 3 days after we receive them. We will process returns the first business day after this 3 day period. We really appreciate your understanding and patience as we take these precautions. After 3 days, we'll do a quick inspection of the product to make sure it's in original condition and we’ll process your refund (including shipping fees!) to the original form of payment. Please remember that it can take a few business days for the funds to appear in your account.
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One of the benefits of buying directly from the manufacturer is the ability to make changes to a product if it's not quite right. In some cases, we can modify or customize your product to make it better suited for your needs! We do this by adding or removing fill.
For more information about the process, pricing or to make an alteration request, click here.
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We do have sales and promotions from time to time! Please sign up for our newsletter here and we'll let you know as soon as the next sale starts. (Our subscribers often get an exclusive discount too!) You can always unsubscribe if you no longer want the email updates.
If there is a sale running currently, you can follow the countdown clock at the top of the screen to see how much time you have left to scoop up the deal!
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Thank you for purchasing a Canadian Down & Feather Company product on Groupon Local! Looking for some information or help with your purchase? Below are answers to some common questions. If you can't find what you're looking for here, feel free to contact us !
How do I redeem my voucher/complete my order?
ONLINE
Go to www.groupon.com and log into your Groupon account. Go to the My Groupons section of your account.
Click ‘View Voucher’ or ‘Print Voucher’ to open your voucher. Find your Voucher Redemption Code (8 capital letters).
Enter that code in the space provided here: www.canadiandownandfeather.com/voucher-entry. Please enter the code exactly as it is pictured on your voucher (all uppercase letters, no spaces).
Follow the prompts to provide us with your shipping address, billing address, and pay the $15.00 fee. This fee covers both shipping and the tax on your voucher.
Once all required information has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from us with the subject line ‘CDFC Receipt’. If you do not receive this email, please contact us.
IN-STORE
Please note that we are closed to the public for the time being as a preventative measure to protect our staff from illness. The in-store pick-up option is not available at this time. Please see above instructions for online voucher redemption. Our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience.
To pick up your item, bring your Groupon voucher to 135 St. Regis Crescent South, Toronto, ON. Your voucher can be accessed in the My Groupons section of your Groupon account. You may print your voucher or show it on a mobile device.
Upon arrival, your Groupon voucher will be redeemed and you will be charged for the HST on your voucher. If you purchased a voucher on sale, the HST will be charged on the regular price of the voucher (not the sale price). We accept cash, debit and credit.
My item hasn’t arrived
Have you redeemed your Groupon voucher on our website and paid the $15.00 fee? If not, please see Question #1.
If you have redeemed your voucher, and your item has not arrived within the posted timelines, please contact us.
Can I return my product for a refund?
Unfortunately, we are unable to refund transactions made on the Groupon website. If you’d like to exchange/upgrade an unused product, we’re happy to help! Please see Groupon's return policy under the 'Local' heading: https://www.groupon.com/groupon-promise.
How can I contact Groupon?
Groupon Customer Service can be reached at: 1-888-350-9061
I clicked the ‘Redeem’ button in my Groupon account/My voucher code has disappeared.
Unfortunately, we are unable to retrieve voucher codes. Please call Groupon at 1-888-350-9061 to retrieve your code. You may then redeem it at www.canadiandownandfeather.com/voucher-entry
I see a Payment Failed message after redeeming my voucher.
If you see a ‘Payment Failed’ notification, your order has not been completed successfully. Please try your voucher redemption again. If you experience the same issue a second time, please call your bank or financial institution and ask them to authorize the charge. If you continue to experience difficulties, please contact us.
I ordered more than one item. Can I pay 1 shipping fee for all of my items?
You will have a separate voucher for each item purchased. All vouchers need to be redeemed separately and the $15.00 fee does need to be paid for each item. The items are quite large and bulky, so they are costly to ship. Shipping rates are calculated based on weight and volume, so combining items into a larger box increases the shipping cost. Please keep in mind that the $15.00 fee also includes the tax on your voucher.
Where is your office located?
Please note that we are closed to the public for the time being as a preventative measure to protect our staff from illness. The in-store pick-up option is not available at this time. Please see above instructions for online voucher redemption. Our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience.
Notre adresse : 135 St. Regis Crescent South, Toronto, ON M3J 1Y6
St. Regis Crescent is accessible by Keele Street, after which it splits into North and South. Make sure to look for us on St. Regis Crescent South.
St. Regis Crescent South is also accessible by Tuscan Gate (off of Sheppard Avenue West).
We are at the back of a large lot. Our lot contains buildings 101-137 (Our building is #135). Our office is in the southeast corner of the lot, and looks out onto Sheppard Avenue. Free parking is available along the east side of the lot.
My parcel was returned to you. Can it be re-shipped?
Absolutely! Please call us to pay the shipping fee, and we will have your item re-sent right away.
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Sezzle allows you to pay for your order in 4 equal payments over 6 weeks, interest-free! If you'd like to pay via Sezzle, select the Sezzle payment option at checkout. If you don't already have an account, it will prompt you to set up an account during the checkout process.
Visit the Sezzle website for more information.
We would love your feedback about your experience using Sezzle. Please let us know your thoughts, especially if you're a first-time user! :)
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- Click here to read all warranty information.
Absolutely! All of our products come with a guarantee against manufacturing defect.
How long is my product covered for?
The length of the warranty period varies by product. You can find them all listed here, or you can check the product description on the product page. The warranty period is also listed on your product packaging.
What is considered a manufacturing defect?
A product defect caused by the manufacturer (that's us!) is covered under warranty. Examples of manufacturing defects may include stitching that comes apart, or a significant amount of leakage. Issues caused by the customer like normal wear and tear, down shifting with use, spills, or rips are not covered under warranty.
We also cannot cover products under warranty that have not been cared for properly.
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Each product comes with a warranty card on the inside of the packaging. Please fill it out and mail it back to us, or fill out the details .
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- Fill Types
See our
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Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of the fabric. The total number of threads in a square inch is calculated by adding the threads running right and left (weft) and the threads running up and down (warp).
For Down and Feather products, it is essential to have a shell and/or covering made of fabric that is at least 233 Thread Count or 233 threads per square inch. Thread counts lower than this may allow the down and/or feather to leak or escape from the product. This would create a mess and reduce the comfort and insulating properties of the product.
In the market today, Down and Feather products have thread counts that start around 200 and go as high as 800. There are a few different benefits to having higher thread count. These may include softer, smoother fabric and less noise from the shell. However, lower thread count products are not worse than higher thread count products and will last just as long. Even though higher thread counts are not directly felt by the consumer once placed inside a cover, the softness can be noticed through high quality covers. Higher thread count products will be more expensive, but the shell is usually not the most significant factor in determining price and quality.
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Duvets are created with different types of construction, including box and channel. Box construction usually divides the duvet into equal size squares, trapping down and/or feather in each of the boxes, preventing it from moving from one area to another. Sizes of squares vary depending on the particular manufacturer.
Box Construction is preferred to channel as it keeps the down and/or feather evenly distributed throughout the duvet. Without this, the duvet would have areas with little or no fill, leaving an area without insulation for heat to escape.
Sizes of boxes range from about 5" to as much as 20" in the length of one or both of the sides. Smaller boxes prevent down from lofting to its full potential and not trapping as much air. This proves to be less beneficial for insulating purposes. Larger may boxes may not be adequate either as they allow the down to shift within the box, perhaps leaving areas without insulation. Ideal size boxes range from about 150 - 225 sq. in. or 12" x 12" to 15" x 15".
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Whether duvets have boxes or channels, they are either sewn directly through from the top fabric to the bottom, or sewn with Baffles. A Baffle is a piece of fabric sewn in a perpendicular manner between the top and bottom fabric of the shell, similar to a wall, between compartments, creating a three-dimensional space.
Baffles and the resulting three-dimensional space allow down the room to loft up to its maximum potential. This in turn traps more air, providing better insulation and more warmth.
Between compartments without baffles, where the top and bottom fabrics are sewn together, there is not a lot of room for down. There is therefore a region without insulation, creating a "cold spot." With a baffle construction, down is able to fill the compartments on both sides of each wall, leaving no area for heat to escape.
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Waterfowl are birds that are accustomed to and spend a substantial amount of time in water such as geese and ducks. Landfowl are birds that live only on land such as chickens, turkeys, and sparrows. Both waterfowl and landfowl birds produce feathers, but only waterfowl produces down.
Canadian Down and Feather uses only Waterfowl fillings in its products as it is of better quality.
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Down is the soft undercoating of Waterfowl (Geese and Ducks), consisting of clusters of light, fluffy filaments growing from a central quill point, without a quill shaft. A single down cluster is three dimensional and looks much like a dandelion pod. Down provides geese and ducks warmth and insulation, yet keeps the birds dry by allowing water and moisture to escape from the body of the bird, through the down, and into the air.
Down filled products are extremely resilient and insulate very well. In duvets, down is the best insulator per ounce over any other fill, natural or manmade. For pillows, down provides incredible re-lofting capabilities, yet is soft and comfortable.
There are many factors that affect the quality of down and its price.
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Feathers are the plumage or outer growth, forming the contour and external covering of birds. Feathers are generally characterized as two-dimensional, with a hard quill shaft running from one end to the other with a series of fibres extending to each side. Feathers come in different sizes and shapes and include small flight feathers, larger flight feathers, and body feathers.
Consumers are best served when products are manufactured from smaller feathers, allowing them to trap more air and be less "crunchy." Small flight feathers and body feathers are perfect for this use. Body feathers are even better as their shaft tends to be curled giving them a spring which makes them suitable in pillow and featherbeds. Large flight feathers are sometimes used, but tend to be chopped first for use in lower quality products.
Canadian Down & Feather Company never uses chopped feathers and only uses body feathers no larger than 3-5 cm. Even though they may be slightly more expensive, these feathers are optimal for pillows, duvets, and featherbeds, over other types of feathers.
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According to Canadian Government labelling regulations, down products must contain at least 75% down content to be labelled as a "down" product. It is illegal to state that a product is "All Down," Pure Down," "100% Down," or anything else of the sort. Down & Feather blends will range from 95% down to 5% Down. The higher the down percentage, the more expensive it usually is, given other quality factors remain the same. We use different combinations of down & feather to achieve desired levels of comfort and price.
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- Tableau comparatif des produits
The two most common types of down & feather used in natural filled products are goose and duck, which are both sauvagine species. Although structurally similar, goose down and feather is more expensive and more sought after than duck down and feather. One of the major reasons for this is that goose down and feather does not have any odour. Duck down and feather may have an odour, however this is less likely the higher the loft/quality and the more thoroughly it is cleaned. While there may not always be an odour, if exposed to the slightest bit of moisture or humidity, the tendency to have an odour can increase.
Canadian Down & Feather Company offers a wide range of products filled with quality goose and duck down and feather that meet strict cleanliness standards. Products filled with duck down and feather are a less expensive alternative to goose down and feather products for the value-conscious consumer.
For an at-a-glance comparison of fill species across all CDFC products, see our .
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The colour of Down & Feather ranges from very white to almost black. Generally though, the majority of the down and feather available is off white or dark grey and the colour depends on the exact species of bird the Down & Feather originated from. Some common names for darker Down and Feather are "silver," and "grey."
Colour does not affect the quality, including warmth and insulating properties, of down and/or feather. In fact, some of the best qualities of Down & Feather are only available in a darker colour. However, most people still prefer white fill because of the fact that it does not show through and darken a light coloured duvet cover.
Due solely to supply and demand factors, there is a premium for duvets and pillows containing such fill. In a case where a consumer knows that they will not be using a translucent covering, they may want to consider the darker colour for cost savings.
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- Le tour du loft
Loft is the measure of the fluffiness of Down. Loft specifically refers to the number of cubic inches that one ounce of down will fill. This measurement is done under and with specific, internationally accepted specifications and methods. The test is conducted in a Plexiglas cylinder under exacting conditions of temperature and humidity. The larger, more mature the bird, the higher the loft of its down, when harvested.
Good quality products start with a loft factor of the down at about 550 cubic inches per ounce. The fluffier the down or the higher the loft, the warmer it will keep you, and the less it takes to fill a duvet or pillow. Therefore a high quality product will be lighter and still very warm and / or resilient.
Loft of down can be anywhere from about 300 to 800 cubic inches per ounce. Loft of down is probably the largest factor in determining the price of a down product. Generally higher loft products will also last much longer as the down has grown closer to full maturity and its filaments are much stronger. Lower quality loft products have weak and brittle down and will require replacing much sooner.
Check out this infographic,
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True allergies to Down & Feather are, in fact, quite rare. Canadian Down & Feather Company uses only Down & Feather which goes through a rigorous cleaning process and uses a special treatment to render the fill hypo-allergenic.
Some people may be allergic to dust, pollen, and bacteria that resides in down & feather before it is cleaned and sanitized. Unlike products that are not properly sanitized and cleaned, or products from decades ago that may not have had any cleaning process, all Canadian Down & Feather Company products meet and exceed all government and industry standards and regulations. There is still a possibility that individuals may be allergic to dust mites that inhabit bedding products while in use. Using a mite proof protector on new or newly cleaned duvets, pillows, and featherbeds will eliminate most of these problems.
Many people are under the impression that polyester is a better choice than down and feather products for those who suffer from allergies. However, two different studies printed in the British Journal of Medicine have concluded that this is not the case. The studies show that polyester pillows support dust mites to a greater extent than do down pillows. One of the studies went as far as stating that asthmatics did better with down bedding than with polyester.
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