Icelandic eider ducks
The Icelandic eider duck has been fully protected species since 1847. Down collection is based on centuries old traditions, back to the 9th century when the island was settled. The wild eiders like to get protection from predators. A unique relationship is between the farmers and the eider ducks. The eider ducks have learned to trust the farmers.
Icelandic eiderdown
Eiderdown is one of the warmest natural fibres in the world, it is a great isolator. Collecting a real amount of this fluffy material isn’t easy. Only 4 metric tons are produced worldwide each year. Eiderdown is the soft under feathers of the common eider. Compared to other down the Icelandic eiderdown is denser, stronger and more isolating.
Preparing the area
In April/May, before the nesting season the nesting area is prepared. The hardest work is to keep all the predators away from the area. The old nests are fixed and some new nests are made. Shelters are fixed if needed after the winter. The birds like to come to the exactly same place year after year, if all goes well. The eider duck likes colourful items; therefore, the nesting area is often decorated with colourful flags as attraction for the birds. Sometimes farmers make fences to protect the area. Driftwood is used as a shelter for the nests, the birds decide where is the best place for their nests. The eider begins nesting 2-3 years old, usually at the area where it hatched itself.
Collecting the down
In June the eiderdown is collected from the nests. Farmers have to find and harvest each nest by hand, that is a lot of work. The nests are often well hidden in grass or between rocks or driftwood. The female eider sheds down from the chest and puts it in the nest. The purpose is to keep the eggs warm while nesting. Instead of the down farmers put dry hay in the bottom of the nests. The hay does its job. It is done late in the breeding process, and does no harm to the eggs or the ducks. It is done carefully and with respect for the eider ducks. If the down was not taken, it would just blow away and be useless.
Handling the down
After the down has been gathered it is dried. Then it is put into machines specially to clean eiderdown. At first it is sterilized by heating it up to 120 °C, it kills all bacteria in it. Then it is put in machine who takes out dirt and grass in it. The last machine takes out most of the feathers. At last, the down is cleaned with hands, it is always possible that some feathers and dirt is still in the down. It must be handled by hands at the end to be definitely clean. Up to 80% of the weight of the harvest is made up of sticks, seaweed or larger feathers.
Quality control
Eiderdown that is sold must have passed quality control. An authorized quality inspector confirms the purity and quality of the down and confirms the weight. The quality inspector makes a quality certificate and seals the product before it is sold.
Products
The eiderdown from this production is sustainable. The products are both duvets/comforters and pillows. It is possible to make many sizes of each product. From King size down to baby size. Storage bags are included. New eiderdown duvets/pillows directly from Icelandic nature.
For example, the price of 140*200 duvet, 100% cotton, fabric density 80s*80s/200*200;400 tc, 24 compartments, 800g filling, around 6.300 USD: 5.270 EUR. The price varies according to the exchange rate and more. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. For more information contact: elvarfridriks@gmail.com
About me
I´m born and raised on the farm where the eider ducks have their nests. There is a decades long history of eider nesting in the area. There were only few birds keeping their nests in this area when I decided to do my best to protect the area and make it better for the eider ducks, so the number of them would increase. Over the last 20 years the number has increased 10-12 times. It has been a lot of work, but it is mostly seasonal work. The goal was at first to be able to sell a fully finished product.
Now the goal is that the eider ducks to continue to choose this area, so that they continue to multiply.
