Avian Production Management

FORCE MOULTING REQUIREMENTS

Force (Induced) Moulting requirements

• Under forced moulting, a layer flock is induced to shed and replace its feathers at a time selected by the flock manager
• An induced moult causes all of the hens in a flock to go out of production for a period of time
• During this period, regressing and rejuvenation of the reproductive tract occur, accompanied by the loss and replacement of feathers

 The three main factors involved in Force Moulting are:

 Initiating the Moult

• All moulting programs require that egg production be reduced to zero, which is usually accomplished by fasting (no feed) the flock or by limiting critical nutrients such as protein, calcium or sodium until or beyond the time of production ceases
• Artificial lights should be turned off in open-sided houses and reduced to not more than 8 hours in environmentally controlled houses

Resting the Flock

• Once the flock is out of production, it may be held out of production for as little as 1 week to as much as 4 to 5 weeks depending on the requirement and the feeding program implemented during this period
• The level of nutrition can regulate the length of the resting period
• Low-protein or low-calcium diets will generally keep a flock out of production

Returning the flock to production

• When the flock is to be returned to production, a layer diet should be fed and lights should be returned to the normal lighting program for layers
• A 50% rate of lay should be reached in 2 to 3 weeks and the peak should follow in an additional 2 to 4 weeks