Induced moulting of laying hens to extend productive life involves feed withdrawal that causes significant welfare compromise, and alternatives including low-nutrient diets are increasingly available.
Hens subjected to feed withdrawal experience hunger, weight loss and the physical stress of feather loss simultaneously. Hunger is one of the most aversive experiences for any animal; hens deprived of feed perform extensive appetitive behaviour seeking food. Alternative moulting methods that maintain some feed access achieve similar production outcomes with substantially lower welfare costs and should replace feed withdrawal entirely.