Is it legal for falconers to keep moulted feathers?

Falconers may retain or give moulted feathers for imping, which is the practice of repairing damaged feathers on a bird using feathers from other birds. This is an important aspect of raptor care, as maintaining the bird's feather integrity is crucial for its overall health and ability to fly properly. Imping allows falconers to enhance the bird's flight capability by using moulted feathers in a way that supports its well-being.

In the context of feather ownership, it is also worth noting that while some regulations exist regarding the possession of certain bird parts, moulted feathers from the falconer's own birds are often treated differently compared to feathers obtained from wild birds. Consequently, retaining these feathers aligns with falconry practices focused on the care and management of the raptor.