Hen Moulting and End-of-Lay Management: Welfare at the Production Cycle End

Induced moulting is used to extend laying hen productivity. Understanding the welfare implications and alternatives guides better practice at the end of the production cycle.

Key Facts

Induced moulting by feed restriction causes weight loss, immune suppression, and severe hunger
The EU banned forced moulting by complete feed withdrawal in 2003
Low-nutrient diet moulting (using wheat or alfalfa) is still practiced as an alternative
Hens re-entering production after moult show improved egg quality but welfare costs are significant
Economic pressures drive moult decisions rather than welfare considerations
Non-moulting systems with flock replacement avoid moulting welfare costs entirely

Welfare Considerations

Induced moulting causes acute hunger stress as hens' feed is restricted or replaced with nutritionally inadequate material. The metabolic disruption of deliberately induced moult impairs immunity and causes significant weight loss. Behavioural indicators show elevated stress throughout the moult period. The welfare case against induced moulting is strong. Production systems that replace flocks at end-of-lay rather than moult avoid this welfare cost, though the welfare of spent hen slaughter then becomes the relevant concern.

What You Can Do

Support laying hen certification schemes that prohibit induced moulting
Advocate for clarity in egg labelling about whether hens were moulted during their productive life
Choose eggs from farms using flock replacement rather than induced moulting practices