Goose feathers

[jackbee]

what is it about goose feathers that supposedly makes them ideal bee 'brushes'??

Is it a particular feather - wing?

And can any other feathers do the trick, asking cos I asked someone to get me some and they've asked if any others will do, e.g. chicken, turkey etc

 

[Outlander]

I do not think thrush feathers work to small.

 

[jackbee]

I do not think thrush feathers work to small.

wasn't particularly funny the first time

 

[justme]

Its usually wings you're after not feathers. Not sure why they're so good, I've got one, use it rarely and not used any other types.

 

[tonybloke]

goose feathers are used because of the sheer size of them, swan feathers would do the same job. 1 large feather from a wing will suffice as a bee brush. used in the past because they were cheaper than brushes

 

[mbc]

Goose wings are ideal as they're a good size and more importantly they are about the least fluffy of the commonly available wings so as not to snaggle the bees.

 

[Beanwood]

Goose wings are ideal as they're a good size and more importantly they are about the least fluffy of the commonly available wings so as not to snaggle the bees.

Excellent information - I'll bear all this in mind when I 'process' some muscovy ducks later in the year

 

[For want of a better word]

can u buy them from fornes or nash bee supplies or even masiemoors?

if any one culling the odd goose please send me a feather !

 

[Drew]

what is it about goose feathers that supposedly makes them ideal bee 'brushes'??

Is it a particular feather - wing?

And can any other feathers do the trick, asking cos I asked someone to get me some and they've asked if any others will do, e.g. chicken, turkey etc

Badminton shuttles (proper ones) are made with 15 feathers from a Gooses wing... It has to be the left wing though!!

Doesn't help you but one of those "useful" bits of trivial

 

[jackbee]

goose feathers are used because of the sheer size of them, swan feathers would do the same job. 1 large feather from a wing will suffice as a bee brush. used in the past because they were cheaper than brushes

ah, so size is important, I just knew they'd been lying all these years

 

[jackbee]

Badminton shuttles (proper ones) are made with 15 feathers from a Gooses wing... It has to be the left wing though!!

Doesn't help you but one of those "useful" bits of trivial

oh I love trivia

 

[Taylan]

Hi Jackbee I always use a goose wing I find it ideal for taking a swarm off a wall or tree trunk nice and firm easy and light to use no bristles for the bees to get stuck in job done quicker would not be without mine

 

[Taylan]

I get mine from a farming friend who rears a lot of geese and dresses them best time is
Michaelmas or Christmas

 

[REDWOOD]

can u buy them from fornes or nash bee supplies or even masiemoors?

if any one culling the odd goose please send me a feather !

Try a fly fishing shop, they use them for making salmon flies, or eb*y is a good place, swan feathers are just as good