Molting ,Phases of Moulting

2. Molting

3. What is molting???
 Molting is the process of shedding and
renewing feathers. During the molt the
reproductive system of the bird is allowed a
complete rest from laying and the bird builds
up its body reserves of nutrients.

4. Molting before sexual maturity
 The chick goes through one complete and
three partial molts during its growth to point of
lay, after which the mature bird normally
undergoes one complete molt a year, usually in
autumn.
 Generally complete molting occurs from 1-6
weeks
 Partial molting (7-9 weeks, 12-16 weeks, 20-22

5. Advantages
 It is cheaper to carry a bird through a molt than to buy
replacement pullets
 Fewer replacement pullets may be needed, and
buying can often be delayed, which mean saving of
money, time and transport
 Molted birds are hardier, and not as prone to disease
 If strict culling is practiced during first year only good
producers will be retained for 2nd year

6. Advantages
 To tide over low price periods and obtain eggs when
high prices are likely to exist
 Economic problems in maintaining egg production at
low prices
 Larger eggs produced when the hens resume
production
 If replacement stock is not available, the same flock
can be recycled
 Reduction in time that the house is not producing

7. Disadvantages
 Although the molted birds eat less feed than pullets,
they also lay less eggs
 During molt the birds continues to eat but remains
unproductive
 If the birds are to be slaughtered after 2 years of
laying they will not be as tender to eat
 Too few birds may be retained to provide sufficient
eggs the following year

8. Disadvantages
 Cost of feeding during molting may sometimes be
more than the extra profits expected in second cycles
 Lower egg production. After molting, the second year
of egg production will be between 10 and 30% less
than that achieved by the birds in their first year of lay.
Birds which have molted twice and are laying for their
third year will lay only 70-80% of their second year’s
eggs. i.e. about 60% of their first year’s production
 Poorer interior quality of the egg than in first cycle.
Erratic progression

9. Molting with fasting
 In commercial layers the recommended period for
starting molt is 62-63 weeks. There are several
requirements to good molting program. As stress
must be created to cause the birds to drop their
feathers, the best molting programs are generally
those that create the least amount of stress,
produce a rapid molt, and get birds back into egg
production quickly.

10. Four phases of molting
Pre Molt phase
Initiating Molt
Resting phase
Bring flock back to
production

11. Pre-Molt Phase
Before the initiation of molt, a pre molt period of one
week should be provided to birds. During this period,
following steps should be ensured
 Check health status of the flock
 Check external parasites if present dip the bird in
“nicobalm solution”
 Check feather follicles for lice if present allow the
birds for d.b
 Check internal parasites use dewormer

12. Pre-Molt Phase
 Apply some broad spectrum antibiotics such as
“Neomycin”, “Tylosin”, “Chloramphenicol”
 Check the bird titer for ND/IB and vaccinate if
necessary
 Classify and categorize birds according to body
weight categories
The lighting and feeding must be 24 hour
and ad-lib. respectively.

13. Initiating Molt
 All molting 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
production ceases.
 Some producers include 1 or 2 days of water removal to
help get the flocks out of production, but this action is not
necessary and creates certain risks, especially during
summer months.
 Artificial lights should be turned off in open house and
reduced to no more than 8 hours in environmentally

14. Initialing Molt
 The duration of fasting can be decided according to
the body weight of birds and different periods can be
made for different weight categories. This practice can
help in improving the flock uniformity. A recommended
fasting program is given below.
 When the time frame for certain body weight category
is over supplement it with Corn as its nutritional profile
is fit to be used for molted birds (ME 3390 Kcal/Kg,
CP 7-9%).
Females
Body Weight 1500 g 1600 g 1700 g
Fasting Period 7 days 10 days 14 days

15. Resting phase
 Once the flock is out of production, it may be held out of
production for as little as one week to as much as 4 or 5 weeks
depending on the intent of the manager and the feeding program
implemented during this period.
 A short resting period can get a flock back to peak production in
4 or 5 weeks from initiation of the molt, or if the intended second
cycle period is to be less than 6 months in length. Shorter rests,
though are usually associated with lower rates of egg production
and poorer egg shell quality.

16. Resting phase
 Longer rests will result in production peak 10-11
weeks after molt is induced. These are commonly
associated with higher rates of lay and better
eggshell quality. Longer rests should be used if
egg prices are low during the time of the molt and
is the flock is to be kept for more than six months.

17. Returning to laying
 In summer months the birds will be back from
molting in 35 days while in winter they take
almost 42 days. The bird are said to be molted
when they reduce 25% of their original body
weight. When birds are ready flush them with
vinegar and sugar solution as if any litter in
intestine come out.

18. Weekly Feed Allowance
Body Weight
Feed Allowance
(Ground Corn)
Females
1100 g 1200 g 1300 g
Week 1 45 g daily 45 g on alternate
days
45 g on alternate
days
Week 2 60 g daily 60 g alternate 45 g on alternate
days
Week 3 90 g daily 90 g daily 90 g daily