How to Get Feathers in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Kill chickens: each drops 0-2 feathers (0-5 with Looting III), with a 66.67% chance of at least 1. Parrots always drop 1-2 (1-5 with Looting III). Tamed cats give feathers as morning gifts (16.13% of gifts), and shipwreck map chests can hold 1-5.

What you need

Any weapon or your fists
Seeds (wheat, melon, pumpkin or beetroot) for breeding
Looting sword (optional)

Step by step

Kill chickens: they drop 0-2 feathers by default (0-3 with Looting I, 0-4 with II, 0-5 with III), with a 66.67% chance of at least 1 by default and 94.44% with Looting III.
Kill a parrot for a guaranteed drop of 1-2 feathers (1-5 with Looting III). Only do this if you really need them.
Breed chickens for a steady supply: seeds (wheat, melon, pumpkin or beetroot) breed them and speed up baby chickens by 10% of the remaining time.
Let a tamed cat gift you: tamed cats have a 70% chance of giving a morning gift when you wake up, and 16.13% of those gifts are feathers.
Check foxes: a fox sometimes spawns holding a feather, which drops when it dies. You can also drop a food item so the fox drops the feather in favor of the food.
Loot shipwreck map chests: 1-5 feathers.
Use them: arrows, book and quill, and firework stars with a burst effect.

Java vs Bedrock

The drop table above is the same for every Looting level.

Versions: Cats started offering feathers as gifts in snapshot 18w44a.

Frequently asked questions

How many feathers does a chicken drop?

0-2 by default and up to 0-5 with Looting III.

Do parrots drop feathers?

Yes, always 1-2 by default, up to 1-5 with Looting III.

Can cats give feathers?

Yes. Tamed cats have a 70% chance of a morning gift, and 16.13% of gifts are feathers.

What are feathers used for?

Arrows, book and quill and firework stars with a burst effect.