How do I use a CHICKEN FEATHER? How do I shape it?

Plim poul is Haitian Creole for chicken feather

Haitians have been using chicken feathers to clean their ears for as long as I can remember. 

The items of choice for cleaning your ears in Haiti are chicken feathers, cotton tip applicators or a bobby pin.

Sometimes a chicken feather is more readily available.

Thank God! because a bobby pin is dangerous.

To make your chicken feather "ear cleaner", pluck 1 single feather from a chicken or any bird.  Pull out the hairs from part of the shaft, but leave some hair at the tapered end of the feather as in the image above.  Clip the feather to a comfortable length.

Once the feather is fashioned to your liking, it's good to use.

Some people would bring the feather to their mouths to wet it a bit before they start to sweep their ears with it.  The feathers are very gentle to your ears.  The climactic sensation that it brings is an added bonus.  Watch and you'll see some people start rolling their eyes and doze off as soon as the feather touches their ears☺

There's a Haitian Creole expression that goes: Pase plim poul nan zòrèy (literally means to apply chicken feather to one's ears) it means to sweeten, to mollify, to sweet talk.

On your next trip to Haiti, if you pay attention, you'll see that some people carry their little cleaned chicken feathers tucked behind their ears.   Don't forget to get your own too!