Forced molting of laying hens — inducing a rest period to extend production life — can be achieved through methods ranging from feed withdrawal (which causes suffering) to welfare-positive alternatives.
Feed withdrawal molting causes genuine hunger and distress in laying hens. The practice of denying birds all feed for up to two weeks to induce physiological molt subjects animals to prolonged starvation stress. The welfare case against feed withdrawal molting is clear and was recognized by major retailers who banned it from their supply chains. Alternative molt methods using low-nutrient diets achieve the same production result without the welfare cost. Consumer and retailer pressure has driven adoption of more welfare-positive alternatives.