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Induced moulting procedures in laying fowl

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

Ahmed S. Hussein
Ahmed S. Hussein
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17555, Al-Ain, U.A.E.
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Abstract

Several successful methods of inducing moulting have been used to recycle laying hens, the majority of which require an optimum weight loss of 25–30% to achieve maximum egg production during the post-moulting period. The conventional feed restriction procedure is most often used in the egg industry because it is a simple, practical and economical technique that can be used in combination with light and/or water restriction. Mineral-induced moulting procedures, such as the use of high levels of either aluminium in the form of a soluble salt or dietary zinc, have also been used successfully. In addition, low levels of dietary zinc combined with a low calcium diet have also induced moulting in laying hens. The use of low sodium diets has been equally as successful as the conventional feed restriction technique as a means of inducing a moult. Although mineral-induced moulting procedures produce similar results to the conventional feed restriction techniques in post-moulting egg production, but with lower mortality rates, some of these procedures may not yet be practical for use in the egg industry. Hormone-induced moulting is another method and involves the use of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonist. It has an advantage over the conventional feed restriction procedure in that it does not require severe initial body weight loss to attain maximum egg production in the post-moulting period.

Keywords

Induced moultingfeed restrictionmineralshormoneslaying hens
Type
Research Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 52 , Issue 2 , July 1996 , pp. 175 - 187
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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