Hutterite colonies are self-sufficient communities, many of which are located in the Canadian prairies. Hutterite-raised geese and ducks provide high quality feather and down. Since the Hutterites raise their geese and ducks as a primary source of food, they do not use growth hormones nor over-feed their livestock, but allow these birds to grow to full maturity as they are free to roam in the open landscape of the Northwestern prairies. The down and feather yielded by these birds is therefore exceptionally loftier, longer and fuller.  Hutterite down is world-renowned as one of the highest quality fills available.