Forced molting — inducing a second laying cycle through feed withdrawal — has been replaced in the EU by welfare-friendly alternatives but remains common in some US and global production systems.
Forced molting through feed withdrawal inflicts deliberate hunger on birds for extended periods to achieve a commercial production outcome — a practice that would be considered animal cruelty in companion animals. The EU ban reflects the welfare evidence clearly. In the US, voluntary industry transition away from water and feed withdrawal methods has been largely driven by retailer purchasing policies rather than regulation. Welfare-friendly molting using low-nutrition diets provides biological molt with minimal welfare compromise. Consumer purchasing from producers certified to have eliminated feed withdrawal molting supports the market signals that drive ongoing adoption.