Polymer composites containing keratin and at least one polymer (e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyesters, polyvinyl chloride, polylactic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxy esther ether, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polyurethane, epoxies, or mixtures thereof; wherein polypropylene is not atactic polypropylene). Methods for producing the polymer composites are also provided. The properties of polymers are improved by the dispersion of cleaned, processed keratin material, preferably derived from poultry feathers, in the polymeric material. The keratin material can be in the form of fibers, particles, or large pieces from animal hair, nail, hoof, horn, or avian (e.g., poultry) feathers.