Laying Hen Molting Practices and Welfare

Induced molting, used to extend laying hen productivity, involves feed withdrawal that causes acute hunger stress in millions of hens annually, though alternative approaches exist.

Key Facts

Molting resets the reproductive cycle and can extend a hens laying life by months
Traditional induced molting through feed withdrawal can last 5-14 days in conventional systems
Hens subjected to feed withdrawal show elevated corticosterone, stereotypic behavior, and immunosuppression
Non-feed-withdrawal molting using low-nutrient diets achieves similar results with reduced welfare impact
The US egg industry has largely shifted toward alternative methods after welfare pressure, though global variation remains

Welfare Considerations

Feed-withdrawal induced molting subjects hens to prolonged acute hunger, a significant welfare cost. The shift toward non-feed-withdrawal methods demonstrates that welfare improvement and production efficiency are compatible goals. Consumer demand for higher-welfare eggs and industry certification programs have driven meaningful change in this area, showing the effectiveness of market-based welfare advocacy. However, global trade and supply chain complexity mean that products from feed-withdrawal molting may still reach consumers in many markets.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs certified under cage-free or higher-welfare standards that prohibit feed-withdrawal molting
Support egg producers who publicly commit to non-feed-withdrawal practices
Ask grocery stores and food service companies about their molting policies in supply chains
Learn about the full range of welfare issues in egg production beyond housing systems
Advocate for regulatory standards requiring non-feed-withdrawal alternatives in your jurisdiction