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Feather Hair Extensions the New Fur Coats?

This article briefly talks about it, but reading this just makes me sad: Roosters are being bred purely for their feathers, do not survive the plucking process, and then are just thrown away. :'(

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/high-fashion-or-bait-fly-ties-now-hair-extensions-2492725/

I was reading through the comments and found this. :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74254334/cruelty-free-feather-hair-extension?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=cruelty+free+feather+extensions&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=

There are more like them too. :)

As horrible and disgusting as this practice is, I don't think it's any worse than using the feathers for fly fishing, or wearing leather, silk, wool, or any other animal derived product, or simply breeding livestock for meat eating at those animals' peril and expense, especially when high quality safe cruelty free alternatives exist for all of these. 

Also, I think the article is a bit sexist in making it seem like women are so evil for "flocking" to use these feathers for hair extensions while somehow it is ok for men to use them for fly fishing.  As if the practice of fishing, especially for sport which most of it is geared towards, is somehow ok. Fishing also involves breeding minnows, leeches, and worms just for the practice of baiting them to catch another unfortunate fish that will either be mounted on a wall or thrown back in the water maimed or eaten likely by someone who hardly needed it.  Sigh...Why are chickens more important than minnows, worms, and leeches? 

All of it is disturbing to me.

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The concept isn't even new. They had those around in the 80s. Of course they didn't call them "hair extensions" then...just "feather clips." To go with your tight lamé disco trousers and moussed hair.

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I wasn't trying to say that I thought one thing was worse than the other, but the reason for the title was that there was a time when I did see a lot of fur being worn and I feel like today, I don't see it as much. I don't see as much leather used.
... but I see this dang feathers everywhere and it just makes me sad, disgusted, angry and all of those other not-so-nice feelings.

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wow. i had no idea there were real feathers. Are they all real feathers?

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The first article made me really sad.  An animal should not die because of someone's vanity.  The second link to the etsy store I concidered rather cool.  Having known people with birds for companion animals, I am glad there can be a use for the feathers instead of sending them directly to a landfill.  Now the fact that she called them "vegan" bothers me even though I do not use the term for myself.

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The concept isn't even new. They had those around in the 80s. Of course they didn't call them "hair extensions" then...just "feather clips." To go with your tight lamé disco trousers and moussed hair.

lol I remember when feather clips were in back then.  I was about twelve years old when I wore feather clips in my hair in the early 80's.  I have no idea if they were real or not.  I shudder to think I wore those things.  At least I didnt do the disco trousers.  :-[  I feel so old now. 

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Yeah, they were real feathers. On a rawhide string-thing. With beads.
(And we thought they were cool. Yerf.)
Originally they were meant to be worn by cowgirls, clipped to their Lady Stetson. They were quickly adopted by the disco crowd.

Ahhhh, the 80s.... :P

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i like the new feather extensions! i want a few... gonna ask my friend when i go in to get mine tightened what they are actually made of... they have a booth in the mall apparently now that does them as well... they seem like they could be easily made from something vegan...

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i like the new feather extensions! i want a few... gonna ask my friend when i go in to get mine tightened what they are actually made of... they have a booth in the mall apparently now that does them as well... they seem like they could be easily made from something vegan...

Considering that most birds moult twice a year and the larger feathers fall undamaged (wing and tail pinions particularly), there's nothing to make the bird suffer if the feathers are gathered naturally and the birds are humanely treated.

And of course they probably can make fake "feathers" as effectively as they make fake-hair wigs, pleather, and artificial flowers.

(Prepares to be flamed)

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I doubt companies are going to sit on their hands waiting for the feathers to naturally fall out.

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I doubt companies are going to sit on their hands waiting for the feathers to naturally fall out.

i completely agree cause peeps are greedy and don't give a shit... but if they are faux, i'm down :) if they aren't fts

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I doubt companies are going to sit on their hands waiting for the feathers to naturally fall out.

i completely agree cause peeps are greedy and don't give a shit... but if they are faux, i'm down :) if they aren't fts

They seem like they would be pretty easy to make yourself and faux feathers come in some pretty cool colors. I've seen hot pink and baby blue ones.

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I doubt companies are going to sit on their hands waiting for the feathers to naturally fall out.

i completely agree cause peeps are greedy and don't give a shit... but if they are faux, i'm down :) if they aren't fts

They seem like they would be pretty easy to make yourself and faux feathers come in some pretty cool colors. I've seen hot pink and baby blue ones.

keep in mind i'm an accountant... crafts and creativity aren't my strong points... but if someone made them for me, hell to the yes :)

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