Generally speaking, duck down is more readily available than goose down. Since down is an animal byproduct, its availability typically depends on the other uses for the animal. Duck products (meat, eggs, etc.) are more popular worldwide than goose products, so there’s more duck down on the market than there is goose down.
Cluster Size
All other things being held equal, the quality of down is not based on the type of bird, but on the size of the cluster. The larger the cluster, the better the down.
Age
The factor that determines the cluster size—thus, the quality of the down—is the size and age of the bird. Large, mature birds produce the largest clusters and highest quality down. If the size and age are equal, generally speaking a goose will produce higher quality down than a duck.
Durability
Another important factor in determining the quality of the down is its durability, which partly depends on the fat and oil content of the down. Seasonal weather variations, feed, and the bird’s overall condition will have a large role in determining the durability of down. Ultimately, however, age and maturity are the most important factors in producing high quality down.
Odor
Both geese and ducks can produce durable down, but how they do so is different: the birds have different eating habits, and thus the oils and fats that allow the down to be durable can occasionally have a mild odor. This odor can be slightly different between duck down and goose down: a goose’s diet is limited mostly to grass, whereas ducks have a more varied diet, so duck down can have a slightly stronger odor.
Note that the down used in Down Linens products has been cleaned using chemical-free biodegradable detergent, ensuring that it is the highest level of clean, so there is virtually no odor at all.
Fill Power
Fill power measures the loftiness of down, or how it regains its original volume after being compressed. Generally speaking, the higher the fill power, the more insulation the down provides.
Goose fill provides high quality, strong down plumes. The highest available fill power for goose down is 1000 FP. Most duck down has a lower fill power than goose down. The exception is eiderdown, which has a 1200 FP and is produced from the eider sea duck. The eider sea duck is now on the list of endangered species and eiderdown products are increasingly rare.
Verdict
When it comes to down, your best bet is to get a high quality down made from a large, mature goose. Ensure that the down has been thoroughly cleaned and, ideally, is sourced responsibly while minimizing the environmental impact. Look for the bluesign® approval, which signals that a company is achieving optimal environmental performance.
