Induced molting is used to extend laying hen productivity but the practice causes significant welfare harm through prolonged food deprivation and stress.
Feed withdrawal molting causes acute and prolonged suffering. Hens deprived of food for days experience hunger, weakness, and severe stress. Mortality increases significantly during feed withdrawal periods. The practice is driven entirely by economics — extending laying cycles is cheaper than replacing entire flocks. Alternative methods using low-protein or low-energy diets reduce but do not eliminate welfare concerns, as hens still experience nutritional stress. The fundamental welfare question is whether extending commercial laying life justifies any level of additional suffering imposed on birds already under intensive production conditions.