Conversion of avian feather-waste stream to useful products

Fibers derived from a feather-waste stream, wherein said fibers are prepared according to a method comprising

• (a) contacting with a solvent said components selected from a group consisting of feathers and a mixture of feathers and avian parts from the feather-waste steam;
• (b) maintaining contact of said components from the feather-waste stream with the solvent;
• (c) drying said components from the feather-waste stream;
• (d) shredding and comminuting said components from the feather-waste stream;
• and
• (e) classifying the shredded and comminuted components from the feather-waste stream, said fibers having been subjected to treatment to render them soft and pliable, wherein said treatment is beating or chemical treatment with redox reagents.

A method of making fiber pulp, said method comprising mixing fibers derived from a feather-waste stream with an amount of water or wetting agents or a mixture thereof effective for the preparation of said fiber pulp, wherein said fibers are prepared according to a method comprising:

• (a) contacting with a solvent components selected from the group consisting of feathers and a mixture of feathers and avian parts from the feather-waste steam;
• (b) maintaining contact of said components from the feather-waste stream with the solvent;
• (c) drying said components from the feather-waste stream;
• (d) shredding and comminuting said components from the feather-waste stream;
• and
• (e) classifying the shredded and comminuted components from the feather-waste stream.

A composition comprising fibers derived from a feather-waste stream and one or more additives, wherein said fibers are prepared according to a method comprising:

• (a) contacting with a solvent components selected from the group consisting of feathers and a mixture of feathers and avian parts from the feather-waste steam;
• (b) maintaining contact of said components from the feather-waste stream with the solvent;
• (c) drying said components from the feather-waste stream;
• (d) shredding and comminuting said components from the feather-waste stream;
• and
• (e) classifying the shredded and comminuted components from the feather-waste stream.

A composition comprising fiber pulp, wherein said fiber pulp comprises fiber derived from a feather-waste stream and water or wetting agents or a mixture of water and wetting agents and wherein said fibers are prepared according to a method comprising:

• (a) contacting with a solvent components selected from a group consisting of feathers and a mixture of feathers and avian parts from the feather-waste steam;
• (b) maintaining contact of said components from the feather-waste stream with the solvent;
• (c) drying said components from the feather-waste stream;
• (d) shredding and comminuting said components from the feather-waste stream;
• and
• (e) classifying the shredded and comminuted components from the feather-waste stream.