Posted June 13, 2011 by Sunny Subramanian
As much as I’m down for some good ol’ hair featherin’ (seeing the ’80s are back and kickin’), I am not down with flaunting real feathers from our bird friends in the name of fashion.
It seems as though these cruel feather hair extensions popped up overnight, and now everyone and their grandma is wearing them. Sure, at first glance, these feathery accessories may look kind of cool, but they are in fact the reason that many roosters lose their lives. Roosters used to make these extensions are bred and genetically altered to produce long, luxurious saddle feathers (the ones on their backsides, which take years to grow) before they are killed and de-feathered. What costs these animals their lives in turn costs anywhere from $40 to $500 per saddle and can only be worn by the consumer for a mere two or three months.
So instead of supporting the slaughter of thousands of animals each week just to have feathers in your hair, why not instead opt for a pretty flower, some spunky-colored hair extensions, or a classy rhinestoney barrette… or stay tuned for our DIY ribbon version of these accessories (coming very soon)!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
I want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
541 days ago
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I know several people who wear these and NONE are real. I had no idea this was even happening. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised…
603 days ago
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we are manufacturer of feather extention, there is synthetic, 100% no bird harmed! there is ten strip and ten solid color for choose 16″ long just 25 cents per pieces. also have mirco beads For more information,or need picture, email hairforyou1@hotmail.com
607 days ago
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Why don’t they just go to a salon that don’t use feather?
611 days ago
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what??.. feathers?.. how would that turn out?
627 days ago
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I received a email from Hair Flairs, stating that they are getting 1000′s of feather extensions in. I posted on their facebook page about how horrible it is. They blocked me and removed my post. Will you guys post on their wall speaking out against the trend. Thanks so much in advance:)
http://www.facebook.com/HairFlairs
636 days ago
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Killing is not fashion. Get the fake hair extension!
637 days ago
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Definately NOT worth killing for. Fake or not I won’t be wearing them.
638 days ago
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How do you know if your feathers are fake?? They die the real ones to make them look different colors. Your input would be helpful
647 days ago
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I think they are adorable, but I don’t want to follow the crowd, and when I found out that they were cruel, I immediately was off board. I now find them ugly, and am 100% against them. (As a vegetarian and animal-lover, this isn’t a surprise.)
656 days ago
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Fabulous Feathers for All only sells naturally dropped/molted feathers. There is no sense in killing an innocent animal for our greed of appearance. Before you bash this trend, look up sellers that clearly state they do not kill their birds to acquire feathers. Support honest, animal cruelty free businesses!
671 days ago
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ack i saw Aria wearing these in Pretty Little Liars, but in real life Lucy Hale is a big animal lover! i think peta should tell her of the cruelty involved and maybe convince her to go veggie! that would be brilliant! she’s lovely, a great actress and beautiful
675 days ago
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The roosters are killed for dog and cat food and then used for feathers. the roosters are not simply killed for feathers only. if you want to stop this cruelty then boycot dog and cat foods.
683 days ago
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just my opinion but i think feather extensions are really cute. Then i read this and was APPALED! i have bought 2 feather extensions and 2 pairs of feather earrings from the mall. I just assumed they were fake, but now idk. How do you know if they are real or not???
685 days ago
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I didn’t know u could get fakes. When I posted this story on twitter I got a response from an MTV personality that told me hers were fake to mind my own business and to keep my comments to myself. All I did was put this info out there to her. I said nothing mean at all. I had just found out myself and was trying pass the word along.
685 days ago
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Thats so weird… like wearing a dead persons hair in yours, but much worse because these poor guys were murdered
I have chickens and could never imagine how someone could kill them for meat or indirectly for eggs
685 days ago
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my birdies are appalled by those meanies >:/ they don’t even look pretty xP
691 days ago
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These feathers didn’t pop up simply for this hair trend. These same feathers are what people use for tying fishing lures.
692 days ago
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Nice to know,’J always wondered before if they were real feathers that people were wearing.
696 days ago
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Join the boycott!!! Don’t support a trend with a hand of cruelty!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Feather-Hair-Extensions/223266857707696?v=wall
699 days ago
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I feel like we cannot just focus our efforts on those using these feathers for fashion, but need to also put some pressure on the fly fishing industry which originated the demand for the fatal feathers. In fact, fly fisherman everywhere are probably rejoicing that PETA is trying to put an end to the fashion trend – now they can have their precious bait back. How do we now send a message to them?
700 days ago
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I sent an email into a peta about this…I was shocked and appalled after I read about it in a yahoo article…I was almost more disgusted that they article barely acknowledged the cruelty in the trend and instead focused on the RISING PRICES OF FLY FISHING BAIT. Seriously? WTF YAHOO.
701 days ago
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This is going to sound horrible but, when I first saw those extensions I was like “That’s so cute! I want one!” And now that I’ve been doing my research, I feel like crying because I cannot believe that I was going to get that. I am SO against it now. I keep trying to tell my friends that those feathers came from roosters and their “fashions” are just hurting innnocent animals.
701 days ago
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I have one fake extension from a crafts store. Their really pretty and come in different colors (mine is hot pink with black stripes). Why kill birds for fashion? Its wrong! I rather be fake and unfashionable then torturing birds.
701 days ago
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omg! i had no idea those were real feathers! thank God i didn’t get one… O.o
702 days ago
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Here is a more rooster friendly option. Synthetic cruelty free feather hair extensions made from synthetic hair.
http://www.etsy.com/people/MegsFauxFeathers
702 days ago
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Unpopular opinion: I like putting feathers in my hair.
The thing is though that I only use feathers I find outside and secure them to a little braid on the inside of my hair so the feather just pokes out. I don’t buy feathers or the pre-made accessories because who knows where they came from
702 days ago
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wow! never heard of these :S anyone got images? x
703 days ago
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HEYYY PETA people. REAL feathers are EXTREMELY popular where i live and i want to get the word around. this should be a mission.
705 days ago
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Does anybody have any recommendations on where to find fake feather extensions?
707 days ago
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gross
708 days ago
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Fakes Last Longer! And Hurting My Birdy Friends?! I dont think so….
708 days ago
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thats gross and sad!
cant wait for the ribbon version!
708 days ago
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I have some majorly cute fake feather hair extensions. The are adorabs, super fun, and most importantly cruelty free!
708 days ago
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This is ridiculous! I don’t do extensions, but I put fake feathers in my hair. I have 4 fake ones, 2 red and 2 light pink. They’ve lasted me a good year. They’re made of a fragile man-made silk like fabric that very well looks like feathers unless you examine them close up. IMO its just as bad as wearin a full-fur outfit to have rooster feathers in your hair.
708 days ago
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I know so many people with them in, and they are real. i have got to inform them now of what they have done….
708 days ago
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**** that (sorry for the language) What is wrong with people feathers??? real ones make it even worse!
708 days ago
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I actually posted a ribbon version of feather extensions on the peta2 boards earlier.Haha It’s on my tumblr as well :http://theheavymetalhippie.tumblr.com/
708 days ago
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Personally, I think the look is really stupid.
709 days ago
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Mine are fake.
and i convinced my moms friend to fake instead of real. Not only are they cruel…their also very unsanitary.
709 days ago
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That is terrible! Sharing on FB for sure!
709 days ago
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Urgh this knocks me absolutely sick!
709 days ago
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This is really sad that people dont think about what they put in they’re hair. Its really messed up. /:
709 days ago
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How gross! I love bird friends!
709 days ago
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You should make a mission out of this!
709 days ago
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Thats messed up..Fakes probably last longer anyway!
709 days ago
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Ya. Fakes last WAAAAYYYYY longer!!! Fakes can last up to six months!
709 days ago
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Yayyyyy(:
709 days ago
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I can’t wait for the DIY ribbon version!!!! What’s next? Dog fur hair extensions?
709 days ago
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I have two FAKE feather hair extentions. I know a lady who does them. She is a vegan also. She couldn’t believe that people were wearing REAL FEATHERS in their hair!!!! Thats why I am wearing FAKE ones!!!!!
709 days ago
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do you know where she gets these fake ones? im a hairstylist aswell and really dont like the idea of real feathers either
639 days ago
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Your’s are fake but don’t forget other people might not realize that and think they are real and do the very thing you don’t want and kill innocent birds.