Farmed Laying Hen Molting Welfare

Forced molting of laying hens through feed withdrawal extends their productive period but causes significant suffering that has led to bans in some countries and ongoing welfare debates.

Key Facts

Forced molting involves withholding feed for 5-14 days to induce regression of the reproductive tract
After molting, hens resume laying eggs and can be kept for a second laying cycle
Feed withdrawal causes intense hunger, stress, and significant weight loss in affected hens
Alternative molting methods using low-nutrition diets are less effective but cause less acute suffering
The US allows forced molting by feed withdrawal; several EU countries have banned or restricted the practice
An estimated 75 million laying hens undergo forced molting annually in the US

Welfare Considerations

Feed-withdrawal molting causes profound suffering. Hens deprived of food experience intense hunger for up to two weeks. The psychological stress of food deprivation in animals highly motivated by feeding behavior is severe. Weight loss of 25-30% of body weight occurs during molting. Immune function is suppressed during the feed-withdrawal period, increasing disease susceptibility. The entire procedure is designed to extract additional productive life from hens whose welfare is already compromised by intensive farming. Banning feed-withdrawal molting while allowing alternative methods acknowledges the welfare difference without eliminating the underlying practice.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from certified non-molted or pasture-raised hens when possible
Support legislation banning feed-withdrawal forced molting in US laying hen operations
Engage with food companies about their egg supply chain molting policies
Advocate for requiring alternative molting methods that avoid complete feed withdrawal
Reduce egg consumption as a means of reducing demand for eggs from intensively managed hens
Support organizations working on laying hen welfare reform in the US food system