The use of chicken feather fibers as filling material in Winter clothes for heat insulation purposes

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the fibers obtained from chicken feathers have a possibility to be used or not used in Winter outerwears as a filling material in terms of thermal insulation parameters. Design/methodology/approach In the study, thermal properties of the heat-resistant interlining samples produced from the chicken feathers fibers were analyzed in comparison with the samples produced from the industrial filling materials. Findings In the study, it was revealed that the use of chicken feathers fibers as filling material in Winter outerwears was possible. Practical implications The use of chicken feather fibers in Winter outerwears as a filling material will be an extremely low-cost alternative to pile flies of water birds which are sufficiently expensive filling materials. Social implications A significant portion of the chicken feather, which is released as a by-product in the production of chicken meat, is destroyed as industrial waste by digging or burning. Some of this product is used in the production of such cheap products as poultry feed. In the case of the production of fibers from the chicken feather, the use of these fibers as a filler in Winter clothing along with environmental protection will allow the use of this product for the production of products of higher cost. Originality/value The use of feathers’ material as a filling material in Winter outerwears has been known since ancient times. Due to the rough structure and low elasticity of chicken feathers, chicken feathers are not the best raw material for this purpose. This study revealed that it is possible to use chicken feathers as a filling material in terms of heat protection. The study is original in this respect.