Moulting of hens by Dr.Muhammad Ashiq Toor

1. Preparedby
Dr MuhammadAshiq Toor
DVM , B s c (Zoology)
Islamia University of Bahawal Pur (IUB) (2010 – 2015)
+92-344-499-7375
+92-300-364-2402
Moulting

2. Molting
Periodic replacement of plumage by
shedding off old feathers and
producing new ones.
Periodic replacement of
plumage by shedding
off old feathers and
producing new ones.
Moulting

3. Plumage forming
18-20 weeks
8 weeks
4 weeks

4. Types
Natural Induced

5. Factors involved in molting decision
• Costs to bring flock into
production
• Length of egg production period
• Rate of egg production
• Egg size
• Feed consumption
• Shell quality
• Interior egg quality

6. Natural
Pattern includes
2-3 months
01
head 02
neck
03
breast
04
back
05
fluff
06
abdo
men
07
wings 08
tail
Pattern

8. Natural process
Estrogen is high and T3 is normal at start of production
E2 checks feather growth
During molting progesterone T3 is high and E2 is low so feather
sheding occurs.

9. Induced molting
Feeding Chemical Hormonal

10. Methods
Chemical
CuSo4
AlCO2
Hormonal
Feeding
ZnO2
Hydroxy
Progesterones
Chemicals @ 4 gm for 14 days through feed
Hormone @ 0.1cc/bird

12. Molting by fasting
Pre –molt
0-7 days
Molting
7-14 days
Post molt
15-49 days
Molting

13. Pre molt
Vaccinate against
ND,IBD
Deworming
Antibiotic therapy
Day
01
Day
04-5
Day
02-03
Ad lib feeding and 24 hours light to
stop production.
At day
07

14. Molt
No feed + no
water+ 6 hrs light
No feed + ad lib
water + 6 hrs light
10%mortality
affordable
At day
8,9,10
At day
11,12,
13,14

15. Post molt
45-50 g feed +6
hrs light
Increase feed by
2g/day till 100g
Increase 0.5 hr
light/wk till 16 hrs.
Day
15-49
Day
50 to
onwar
ds
From
10 hrs
light

16. Multiple cycle programs
• 2 cycle program
• 3 cycle program

17. 2 cycle program
• 16-20 weeks rearing
• 40-50 weeks egg production
• 8 weeks molt
• 24-32 weeks egg production
• 92-110 weeks total(at sale)

18. 3 cycle programs
• 16-20 weeks rearing
• 32-36 weeks egg production
• 8 weeks molt
• 28-32 weeks egg production
• 8 weeks molt
• 24-28 week egg production
• 120-132 weeks total (sale)

19. Duration of molting can be altered..
• If egg prices are high, we can shorten post
molt period to 3 weeks but it has following
disadvantages
• Lower egg production
• Sharp decline in egg production
• Poor egg shell quality

20. Production in 2nd laying year cycle

21. Appropriate season
• March to April when temperature is around
70-80 F and should be completed by July.
• If done in winter, more weight loss as
compared to summer.

22. Thanks for listening …