POULTRY LAYER FARM MANAGEMENT-MOLTING -(ANY WHERE AFTER 60 WEEKS) –FORCE MOLTING & NATURAL MOLTING PROCESS

 

POULTRY LAYER FARM MANAGEMENT-MOLTING -(ANY WHERE AFTER 60 WEEKS) –FORCE MOLTING & NATURAL MOLTING PROCESS

Compiled & shared by-DR RAJESH KUMAR SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND,INDIA 
9431309542,rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com

Force Molting

Generally the layer birds are manufactured up to 72 weeks and then liquidated. By this time the production of the flocks go down and the replacement flocks would be ready for housing. In a continuous replacement cycle, the regular farmer comes across situations where the production of eggs is not remunerative. The farm income and expenses do not match. This is mainly because of over production resulting in drastic reduction in feed for some time undergo a sort of rest came back in to production and give better production for a longer periods. The whole phenomenon is termed “forced molting”. Molting is a natural and normal physiological phenomenon where the birds shed their feathers and enter in to a phase of physiological pauses of all birds in an endeavor to renew their feathers prior to migration, shorter days, or cooler weather. Normally, wild chickens molt once a year, as they produce but a few eggs, the molt is not associated with the laying cycle. However, domestic chickens have been bred for high egg production, and under ordinary circumstances they do not go through a compete molt until the end of a long and intensive laying period. If nothing is done to drop the feathers and grow a new set. It is possible however, to speed up the process through a program of forcing pullets to molt rapidly, growing a new set of feathers, and then stimulating them to begin producing eggs. The entire artificial program should take no longer that 6 to 8 weeks. Force molting is practiced only to give the hen a rest at the end of a long period of egg production. The ability of a hen to produce eggs well after the molt can be attributed only to the rest period the bird receives.

 

 

Why Force Molting

Although most of the farmers plan their force molting programs well in advance, the economic circumstances that causes a sudden decision to carry a flock over for a second period of egg production are usually.

1. Sudden slump in egg prices data; there are two seasons in the year one in April due to summer and again in August, September due to festival season. The prices go up after the season changes.
2. In situations where the market price of eggs slumps.
3. When the prices of cull birds are non-remunerative.
4. When there is premium price for larger eggs. 
5. Cash cruch in business resulting from fall in egg prices. 
6. Lack of enough finances to buy a new batch of chicks and provide for them until they reach sexual maturity. 
7. The cash outlay for force molting the flock is less than buying and growing a fresh batch. 
8. Serious problems of growing period with no solutions in sight. When new diseases crop up causing heavy mortality in growing for which new solutions are found.

Body Weight As Guide Line

 

 

The Thumb rule for molting is to get down the body weight to mature body weight i.e. about 1250gms. Another way is to reduce the weight by25 % of the weight at the time of molting. The older birds after 60 weeks are generally 1650gms. Reduction of body weight from 1650 to 1250 is less stressful and does not result in excess mortality. The type of molting desired depends on the situation.

1. Fast molting If you need the flock to come back in to production fast. Go for water restriction also. Takes 6weeks from start to 50% production.
2. Normal molting. Takes about 8weeks. Keep the flock off feed till the flock looses 30 % weight and start feeding grower ration. Vaccinate the flock and resume layer feed as soon as the production sarts. If the initial weight of the flock is low, the flock may loose the weight faster and there can be mortality. To avoid mortality we may feed low density ration for two weeks.
3. Slower molt. If the flock looses enough body weight and we still do not need production, feed the flock with low quality ration like 10% protein and may be only 60gms per day to delay the production. We can delay the flock by another two weeks. This might take 10weeks.

Requisites Of Force Molting

When the situation demands reduction of procuction, the ideal flocks for molting are flocks above 60weeks because,

a)The production of older flocks is low. 

b)The older birds are heavier and take longer time to loose weight.Ie. More feed saving. There are several requisites to a good program of force molting. Many programs will do the job well. Stress is created to let the birds drop their feathers. Successful molting programs are those that create the least amount of stress, produce a rapid molt, and get the birds back in to high percentage of egg production, which lasts for a longer time. The three main factors involved are.

 

 

 

Water withdrawal

Most of the molting programs call for water restriction as one means of creating the stress necessary to produce the molt. When it has been decided to force the molt, water is withheld for 2 or 3 days. Some programs call for water restriction for 2 days, after which water is restored, and then removed for another 2 days. There is an indication that water withdrawal will increases eggs size more when production resumed.  Be careful during hot weather. Restricting the water has its own disadvantages. Birds will be less able to remove the heat from their bodies. Panting will be excessive, and there may be dehydration and high mortality. It is better not to restrict the water when the molting is planned during the summer. In winter and rainy seasons. Water can be withdrawn comfortably.

2. Feed Withdrawl

Allow flock to consume all the feed in the troughs, then start the 10-12 day feed restriction period. The number of days depends on condition of the flock and weather at the time of molt.  Practically all molting programs call for feed withdrawal, some for several days. Some use a from of ration restriction were only whose grain is used for several days. To create the stress by way of an unbalanced ration many programs call for the feeding of whole grain after the initial period of feed withdrawal in order to complete the molt. Shell feeding is optional during feed restriction period.

3. Light Reduction

Most molting programs require reduction in the length of the light day. When this procedure is used, the period of day light must be reduced well below the threshold of 12 hours. In open houses cutting of the artificial light will at least produce some effect and help initiate the molt. Giving 24 hrs light of at least 2-3 days before the beginning of this program will help in an effective molt.

4.Molt Feed

Normal grower and layer feed is used for molting. If the Feed cracking grain for 19-21 days after the feed restriction period. Protein should bot Exceed 10 % and calcium should not exceed 0.5%. Optional molt feed has vitamin pack and DCP and other feed additives. The birds must be fed early in the morning and should not put on full feed for the first couple of days. Fell feeding the first day can cause higher mortalities.

 

5.Layed Feed & Re- Lighting

After 3 weeks of molt feed, start a high quality protein ration until the feed consumption pattern is established. Then use the ration to the consumption level. Return lights to the flock when the lay ration is started, using minimum of 13 hrs plus 30 minute increase of light to a total of 16.5 to 17 hrs.

Types Of Molting

Egg producing hens may be molted one or more times, the two general types of programs are

Two-Cycle Molting Program

This involves one molt and two cycles of egg production. The hens are force molted after about 10 to 12 months of egg production, brought back into about 6 months of egg production, then sold Three-cycle molting program This involves two molt and three cycles of egg production. The hens are first molted after about 9 months of production. Then held through another shorter production period, molted again, followed by an even shorter period of lay, then sold. This periodic molting program totals about 24 month: longer programs are seldom profitable

Precaution To Be Taken

1. Be fore the starting of this program a vigorous culling of unhealthy, unthrifty and underweight birds should be carried out. 
2. Only good first year flock should be molted. 
3. Do not follow the water restriction program during hot climates. 
4. Check the flocks for diseases and vaccinate them against pox, IB and ND. 
5. The maximum mortality should not exceed 2 % 
6. Body weight of the flock should be reduced to 23-23%
   PROGRAMS FOR TWO CYCLE MOLTING
   Of the many satisfactory molting programs.

The three basic programs are :

1. Conventional Force Molting program (on again, off-again program) 
2. Washington Force Molting Program(Low feed intake) 
3. California Force Molting Program(No water Restriction) 
4. Chemical Molting program( BY feeding of chemicals like Zinc, Low sodium diet etc)

The commonly followed Force Molting Program is
PROCEDURE

1. Grade the birds and cull the weak and lame birds.
2. One week prior to this program deworm the flock. 
3. Four days after deworming vaccinate the flock against ND and IB 
4. Give three days 24 hrs light before the start. 
5. Weigh the selected birds on day 1 morning(About 50)

DAY FEED WATER LIGHT
1 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
2 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
3 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
4 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
5 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
6 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
7 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
8 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
9 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
10 NOFEED GIVEWATER NOLIGHT
11-13 40g/bird(growermash/cracked grain

7. On day 10, weigh the birds and check for the body weight reduction. If it is not reduced to a desired level continue the fasting.
   8. If the mortality is increased abnormally after 7 days start feeding the birds with grower mash or cracked grains at the rate of 30g/bird and continue till the body weight is reduced to a desirable level. 
   9. A day before starting of the feeding. Give jaggary water @ 1kg/1000 birds and give electrolytes as well so that the systems get activated.

IMPORTANT COMMENTS
1.Body weights should be reduced to 23-25% during the feed restriction. 
2.Most flocks will reach Zero production by the 6th or 7th day after feed restriction and light reduction. 
3.Do not cut off the water at any time(Especially in summer) 
4.Feathers will usually drop between 15-20 days. 
5.Zero production will usually be sustained for 2-4 weeks., depending on length of feed restriction. 
6.Flock will usually be back in production 5 weeks after starting feed restriction, and up to 50% production in 7 week, and peak in 9 weeks. 
7.Repeat the lasota vaccine after the birds are back on full feed for at least 2 weeks. 
8.Bringing birds into production too early result in rough shells, poor quality and lower peaks. Total eggs are not achieved if the flock is brought in too late. 
9.Start the molt program after 60 weeks with plan to extend up to 105-108 week. 
10.We can expect a 5% reduction of peak production achieved in the beginning.

Comparision Of First And Second Laying Cycles

After a force molt, egg production during the second cycle does not equal egg production the first. This would present a sever economic  Problem if the cost of producing eggs during the second cycle is higher than those during the first cycle. The higher cost most be balanced with better returns. The practice of recycling becomes one of cost analysis. Some of the factors involved are.

1. Cost To Bring To Egg Prodution

It costs less to force molt a hen and bring her back into egg production that it does to grow a pullet from one day of age to egg production. This is a prime cost factor in making the decision of whether to molt or not to molt. It requires about 4.5 to 5.0 kg feed per bird during the molt.

2. Amortization Of Bird Cost

The cost of growing a pullet, or the cost of force molting her at the end of her first cycle of lay and returning her to egg production. Must be amortized over the number of eggs she produces. Although the molted hen has a lower cost than the pullet, she will not produce as many eggs during her second cycle as during her first. This complicates the amortization value.

3. Mortality Comparision

The monthly rate of mortality usually is slightly grater during the First period of egg production than during the second. Although a Highly variable figure, it could be up to 2 % higher

4. Feed Consumption

Normally, feed consumption is only slightly higher is the second 
Cycle than the first. But a lot depends on how much body weight was lost during the molt. If weight loss was great, the birds have tendency to remain light during their second cycle of production and there eat less feed.

5. Length Of Egg Production Period

The profitable period of egg production is longer during the first cycle than during the second. Usually the second cycle lasts only 7 to 9 months. The most profitable two cycle program is to molt the birds at about 65 weeks of age and sell them 40 weeks later at 105 weeks.

6. Rate Of Egg Production

The rate of egg production is lower in the second period compared with the corresponding month of the first period. At the peak of egg production the rate will be about 85 to 90 % of the first-year production peak but will drop to as low as 75% after 6 months of egg production.

7. Egg Size

Egg size is larger during the second cycle. This becomes an advantage only if there is a market for the larger eggs.

8. Shell Quality

The average quality of eggshell is much better during the first cycle than during the second. Although shell quality deteriorates while the bird is in egg production, the molting rest usually restores shell quality to the equivalent of a 10 month old pullet flock when molting is initiated at 65 weeks of age. Shell quality drops more rapidly during the second than the first cycle.

9. Interior Egg Quality

During the second cycle the contents of the eggs have a slightly lower quality than during the first. About 10 % fewer Grade A eggs may be expected during the second cycle compared with a similar production period during the first.  So the force molting and recycling a flock calls for accurate decisions: like When should be flock be molted? Is the molt progressing on schedule? How long should the hens remain in production during the second cycle?

What are the costs and benefits?

An adequate record system must be maintained which will also serve as a guide to future force molting programs some people just accept this situation and hope for an improvement, while others look upon it as a strange disease. This seasonal decline in egg production occurs when birds go into a condition known as the “moult”. Moulting is the process of shedding and renewing feathers. During the moult the reproductive physiology of the bird is allowed a complete rest from laying and the bird builds up its body reserves of nutrients. The provision of new feathers or coat (a feature inherent in most animals) is a natural process, designed by nature to maintain the birds’ ability to escape enemies by flight and to provide greater protection against cold winter conditions. Normally, under natural conditions, moulting in adult birds will occur once a year, though it may occur in certain individuals twice in one year, and more rarely only once in a period of two years. The pullet The chick goes through one complete and three partial moults during its growth to point of lay, after which the mature bird normally undergoes one complete moult a year, usually in autumn although this depends on the time of the year at which the bird commenced laying. Generally complete moulting occurs from 1-6 weeks and partial moulting at 7-9 weeks, 12-16 weeks and 20-22 weeks, and during this latter moult the stiff tail feathers are grown.

The laying hen Natural moulting usually begins sometime during March-April and should be completed by July when egg production recommences. The three main factors which bring about moulting are: physical exhaustion and fatigue completion of the laying cycle. Birds only lay eggs for a certain period of time
reduction of day length, resulting in reduced feeding time, and consequent loss of bodyweight. Eleven months continuous production is expected from pullets hatched in season, so that if a flock of pullets commenced laying in March at six months of age, they should continue laying until the following February, although the odd bird may moult after laying for a few weeks. These few birds however should begin laying again after June 22 (the shortest day of the year) and continue in production until the following autumn. Pullets coming into lay in June should lay until the following April thereby giving eleven months continuous egg production without the aid of artificial light. Pullets coming into lay in spring (August) should lay well into April (9 months) but unless artificial lighting is provided, most of them will moult during May and June. Cessation of lay and moulting indicate that the birds’ physical condition is deteriorating, and is therefore unable to support egg production, continued nourishment of their feathers and body maintenance. Feathers contain protein and are more easily grown when laying ceases, because of the birds difficulty in assimilating sufficient protein for both egg and feather production. During the moult the fowl still requires a considerable amount of good quality food to replace feathers and build up condition. Good layers and moulting.

The time at which a laying hen ceases production and goes into her moult is a reliable guide as to whether or not she is a good egg producer. Poor producing hens moult early (November-December) and take a long time to complete the process and resume laying i.e. she will hang in the moult and be out of production for a long period – from six to seven months. Poor producers seldom cast more than a few feathers at a time and rarely show bare patches. High producing hens moult late, moult for a short period (no more than 12 weeks) and come back into production very quickly. Rapid moulting is not only seen in the wing feathers of good producers, but also in the loss of body feathers generally. Because of this it is common to see a late and rapid moulting hen practically devoid of feathers and showing many bare patches over her body. The moulting process Moulting takes place in a fairly definite order. Feathers are confined to definite tracts or areas of the body surface, with bare patches of skin between. The first plumage is lost from the head and neck, then from the saddle, breast and abdomen (body), then the wings and then from the tail. While the first feathers are being dropped from the neck and body, good layers will often keep laying, but when the wing feathers begin to drop, laying usually ceases. The main wing feathers consist of four tiny finger feathers on the extreme tip of the wing, then ten large primary or “flight” feathers, the small axial feather, and the fourteen secondary feathers, which are smaller and softer than the primaries. When the wing moults, primary feathers are shed first, from the axial outwards to the end of the wing, and then the secondaries, which are not shed in such a set order as the primaries. The axial feather is dropped at the same time as the secondary next to it. The new quill starts to grow as soon as the old feather is out and takes approximately six to seven weeks to grow. The moult is complete when all primary flight feathers on the wing are replaced. The feathers of the moulted bird are large and full, softer, cleaner, brighter and glossy in contrast to the feathers before moulting which were small and hard, dry, frayed and tattered. Figure 1 (above). The moulting process. Primary feathers are shed first from the axial feather outwards to the end of the wing. Number 1 primary feather is first to drop followed by a number 2 and then in order to number 10. While the primaries are being shed the secondaries begin to drop but not in any set order

Moulting – a natural process

The difference between a rapid and slow moulter is not due to a difference in growth rate of the individual feather, but because the rapid moulter renews a large number of feathers at the same time. With this knowledge, the rate of moulting can be ascertained by examining the number of flight feathers on the wing being replaced simultaneously. If a hen is found to have grown some of her primaries before starting to moult her secondaries, it may be assumed that she laid well into the moult and was therefore a good layer. Sometimes, high producing hens do not moult all their primary feathers but carry them on for another year. Generally a layer moults when production ceases although if the bird has an inherited tendency for high production, moulting will probably precede cessation of production, and conversely if she is a poor producer. Modern laying breeds should moult in late autumn because they have been bred specifically for egg production i.e. to lay at a higher rate and for a longer period of time. Vacation moults, neck moults or partial moults Old feathers are usually retained by a laying bird which lays regularly. Should she cease production for any other reason than for mild sickness or broodiness she will lose her feathers. If a hen ceases production during spring or summer, she may moult one or two primaries, then stop moulting and come into lay again. This is known as a vacation moult. When she starts her full moult later in the autumn, she will drop the next feather in sequence and moult in order of the remaining primaries. A neck or partial moult is sometimes experienced by a bird without any loss of production, but if the moulting extends beyond the neck moult stage the hen ceases production.

The presence of “pin” feathers (new emerging feathers) usually indicate a short or partial moult. Some birds moult continuously and can be easily detected in the flock by the spotless condition of their new feathers. These birds are poor producers and should be culled. Stress factors and moulting Natural moults can occur any time of the year due to birds being subjected to stress. A bird is stressed when the environment or management present a challenge to which the bird cannot respond without suffering a harmful effect. A hen subjected to a mild stress condition in late spring when in full production will suffer a drop in egg production whereas the same stress condition applied to a bird in the autumn will cause her to cease laying and moult.

The following are common stress factors which can induce moulting

• Lighting
• decreasing daylight
• decreasing artificial light
• Loss of bodyweight
• Disease
• Internal parasites
• Climate
• excessive cold
• heat waves
• Feed, feeding and feedstuffs
• deficiencies of essential
• ngredients
• irregular feeding insufficient feed Predators eg. cats and dogs
• Fright – wild birds and children
• Peck order – low vitality Prolonged broodiness

Mismanagement:

overcrowding, movement to another house, water deprivation, insufficient feed and water space, faulty ventilation, wet litter, debeaking, vaccinations, exposed housing, etc

Force moulting

Force moulting is a practice adopted by some commercial egg producers to bring about a rapid moult so that all the birds come back into lay for a second time at a certain time of the year, usually in autumn. It is achieved by subjecting a flock to a programmed combination of mild environmental stress factors causing the birds to cease laying and consequently moult e.g. decreasing the artificial lighting programme. Force moulting is a practice not normally applicable to the household situation. Natural moulting is slower and more erratic than force moulting.

Production and moulting

After moulting, 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. This is because the rate of lay is lower and the birds cease to lay earlier in the following autumn. Birds which have moulted twice and are laying for their third year will lay only 70 to 80% of their second years eggs i.e. about 60% of their first year’s production .

Moulting cockerels

Like hens, cockerels also moult, and while in this condition are nearly always infertile due to loss of bodyweight and because their reproductive physiology is undergoing a resting phase. Care must be taken to ensure that cockerels do not lose more than 25% of their bodyweight while moulting as this can lead to sterility.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of keeping hens during the moult and the following year is fourfold: it is cheaper to carry a bird through a moult than to buy replacement pullets fewer replacement pullets may be needed, and buying can often be deferred, which can mean a saving of money, time and transport moulted birds are hardier, and not as prone to disease if strict culling is carried out during the first year, only high producing, efficient birds will be retained. The main disadvantage is that although moulted birds eat less feed than pullets, they also lay less eggs. Overall, their conversion of feed into eggs, and feed cost per dozen eggs is higher. Other disadvantages are: during the moult the birds continue to eat but remain unproductive if the birds are to be slaughtered for the table after two years of laying they will not be as tender to eat too few birds may be retained to provide sufficient eggs the following year. Year-round laying and moulting All-year-round egg production can be achieved by purchasing pullets at point-of-lay in the autumn to provide sufficient eggs while the older birds are moulting. When the rate of lay of the pullets declines in the summer, the additional eggs from the moulted birds should sustain an adequate supply. The following autumn the older birds can be killed for the table, the best pullets allowed to moult and another lot of pullets on point-of-lay purchased. In effect therefore, allowing for 20% wastage of pullets due to deaths and culling, only 70% of the normal pullet requirements need to be purchased, and at the same time a relatively constant year round supply of eggs is guaranteed.

 

 

Note: Inducing moulting of Chicken through starvation is banned in India as per the guidelines of AWBI.