DAMAGED & BROKEN FEATHER STUDY
(FINAL REPORT - JANUARY, 1997)

IDFB WORKING GROUP: Gertrud Kenngott, Wilford K. Lieber Jr., Karl Repenning

The International Down and Feather Bureau has commissioned a detailed study of damaged & broken feathers. This document summarizes the results of this study. The study consisted of the following steps:

1. Samples from 16 different feather types (new material) were sent to two independent testing laboratories:

   Forschungsinstitut Hohenstein in Germany
   International Down and Feather (IDFL) in Salt Lake City, USA

2. Both laboratories removed all damaged and broken feathers from six grams of each sample. These damaged feathers were weighed and photographed.
3. The resulting 4,000 damaged and broken feather photos were examined by 4 companies. (Pacific Coast Feather, IDFL, Hohenstein, & Joh. Kauffmann) Each company classified the feathers into 3 categories:
   1. Damaged Feathers
   2. Broken Feathers
   3. Slightly Damaged Feathers (To be classified with the whole feathers)
4. The classifications of feathers were evaluated and differences in results resolved during several meetings in 1995. A set of example photos from each category was compiled.
5. During the January 1996 IDFB Working Group meeting the classifications, definitions and example photos were discussed and results accepted with the suggestion that the categories of damaged and broken be combined.
6. The results of the study were presented at the June 1996 IDFB Meeting in Seattle for acceptance by the IDFB Technical Commission and IDFB Supervisory Board.
7. The IDFB Technical Commission suggested that a special "round-robin" test for damaged and broken feathers be completed by the IBFB-recognized laboratories.
8. The round robin test was completed by 22 laboratories during the summer and fall of 1996.
   The test consisted of 2 separate samples.
9. The round robin test was evaluated by Mrs. Gertrud Kenngott, Mr Karl Reppenning and Mr. Wilford Lieber jr. In December 1996 at the Hohenstein Laboratory.
10. A final report was prepared for the January Working Group meeting. The report contains the final definitions and conclusions.

DEFINITIONS (English) (German)

BROKEN and DAMAGED FEATHERS

(The functions of elasticity and loft power are reduced). The following definitions apply to both new and used material.

Broken Feathers

1. A feather is broken when more than 40% of the shaft is missing.
2. A bare shaft is classified as a broken feather.
3. A feather whose shaft has been "fractured" in the middle is also classified as a broken feather.
4. Schleiss or stripped feathers pieces are classified as broken feathers.

Damaged Feather

1. A feather is damaged when more than 25% of the feather surface is missing but at least 60% of the shaft remains.

Note

Feathers with minimal damage retain their original form and function. These should not be separated but are classified with the "undamaged feathers."

1. A feather is slightly damaged when less than 25% of the surface area is missing.
2. A feather is slightly damaged when only the tip or bottom portion of the shaft is missing.
3. A feather is slightly damaged when the shaft is fractured only in the top or bottom quarter.
4. ** Immature feathers are generally difficult to classify. They differ greatly in their appearance and functionality.

GEBROCHENE und BESCHÄDIGTE FEDERN

(Die Funktion bezüglich Elastizität bzw. Füllkraft ist eingeschränkt.) Die folgende Definitionen gelten für Originalware wie auch für regenerierte Ware.

Gebrochene Federn

1. Eine Feder ist gebrochen, wenn mehr als 40% des Kiels fehlen.
2. Ein kahler Kiel wird ebenfalls der Kategorie "Gebrochene Federn" zugeordnet.
3. Federn, die im mittleren Bereich des Kiels geknickt sind, werden ebenfalls den "Gebrochenen Federn" zugeordnet.
4. Schleiß ist den "Gebrochenen Federn" zuzuordnen.

Beschädigte Federn

1. Eine Feder ist beschädigt, wenn mehr als 25% der Fläche fehlen aber mindestens 60% des Kiels vorhanden sind.

ANMERKUNG

Federn mit geringfügigen Beschädigungen besitzen weitgehend ihre ursprüngliche Form und Funktion. Sie sind nicht zu separieren, sondern bleiben den "unbeschädigten Federn" zugeordnet.

1. Eine Feder ist leicht beschädigt, wenn weniger als 25% der Fläche fehlen
2. Im Bereich der Fahnenspitze bzw. des unteren Schafts können auch geringfügige Kielteile fehlen.
3. Eine Feder ist leicht beschädigt, wenn der Kiel im oberen oder unteren Viertel des Kiels geknickt ist.
4. ** Unreife Federn lassen sich nicht generell einer Kategorie zu zuordnen. Hierzu sind sie auf Grund ihres Erscheinungsbildes und ihrer Funktionalität zu unterschiedlich.

RESULTS OF CIRCULAR TEST "BROKEN/DAMAGED FEATHERS"

Twenty-two laboratories participated in a round-robin test. The purpose of the test was to determine if laboratories could understand the new definitions and consistently classify damaged feathers correctly.

Two samples were submitted. Sample A consisted of a 50/50 feather/down mixture. Sample C was a 95% feather mixture containing a high percent of damaged feathers.

The working group analyzed the results and individual components during a two-day session in Hohenstein. We found that the majority of labs did an excellent job. They understood the definitions and classified correctly. The following problems were found:

1. Some labs included "schleiss" or chopped material in damaged or slightly damaged rather than broken.
2. Fractured or "geknickt" feathers were sometimes misclassified.
3. "Quill" or "Long Feathers" need to be globally defined in a future project.

Based upon these difficulties, we improved the definitions.

After review of the circular tests, the working group determined that all of the classification errors could be resolved by the following:

1. A very brief training document should be mailed to each lab containing the new clearer, corrected definitions and a few photos and/or drawings.
2. A short discussion of the new damaged feather definition should be included in any IDFB sponsored training sessions as well as individual member training programs.

SUMMARY OF BROKEN & DAMAGED FEATHERS
(6 GRAMS WERE TESTED FOR EACH SAMPLE)

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Damaged & Broken Feather Study
IDFB December 1996

English

1. Damaged and broken feathers are classified together.
   • The definitions, however, would allow, if necessary, for separate classifications for "damaged feathers" and "broken feathers."
   • Slightly damaged feathers are classified with the "whole" or "normal" feathers.
2. The definitions outlined in this document should be approved and adopted by each National Association. This will provide a global definition of damaged feathers.
3. The evaluation of the circular (round-robin) test demonstrated that the testing laboratories can work with the above mentioned definitions.
4. A damaged und broken feather allowance of 9% of total feather weight is recommended.
5. For high down content material (feather content is 22% or less) a damaged and broken feather allowance of 2% of total weight is recommended.

German

1. 1. Beschädigte und gebrochene Federn sind in einer Klasse zusammengefasst.
   • Die Definitionen lassen jedoch auch eine Separierung in die Kategorien "Beschädigte Federn" und "Gebrochene Federn" zu.
   • Federn mit geringfügigen Beschädigungen bleiben den "unbeschädigten" Federn zugeordnet.
2. Um International einheitliche Analysenergebnisse zu erreichen, werden die nationalen Verbände gebeten, die Anwendung dieser Richtlinien sicherzustellen.
3. Bei der Bewertung des Rundversuchs wurde festgestellt, daß die Prüflabors in der Lage sind nach den vorgegeben Definitionen zu arbeiten.
4. Es wird empfohlen, den zulässigen Anteil an beschädigten und gebrochenen Federn, bezogen auf den gewichtsmässigen Federnanteil, auf 9% festzulegen.
5. Für Füllmaterial mit hohem Daunenanteil (Federnanteil 22% oder weniger) wird empfohlen, den zulässigen Anteil an beschädigten und gebrochenen Federn auf 2% des Gesamtgewichts festzulegen.