The Keys to Successful Induced Molting of
Leghorn-type Hens
Author: Paul L. Ruszler, Extension Poultry Scientist,
Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech
Publication Number 408-026, January 1997
Table of Contents
Introduction
To molt or not to molt -- that is a question which many egg
producers will have to consider sometime. Before any
decision can be made with any degree of accuracy, one needs
to understand what natural molting is and how to adapt it
for effective flock management. Natural molting normally
occurs once a year in laying hens. During molting, egg
production stops while the hen's body rests and rebuilds
organs and tissues that have been depleted by the load of
heavy egg production. Molting can also occur as a result of
a stress such as disease, lack of feed or water, improper
lighting, or any other faulty management practice. A few
hens may molt and lay at the same time. However, these hens
usually take longer to molt, and they lay at a lower rate
while they molt.
A poultryman can use this natural phenomenon to induce a
molt in a flock of layers and gain an economic advantage.
Most programs for induced molting of a laying flock result
in some degree of feather loss together with a cessation of
egg production and a rapid drop in body weight. After a
period of rest, the flock will regain weight, replace lost
feathers, and return to production. When molted properly by
creating a molt similar to nature, hens will return to a
high level of production and produce mostly large eggs with
improved interior quality and stronger shells. The degree
of improvement is usually correlated with the productive
performance of the flock in its first production cycle,
as well as with the management skill of the producer.
There are many methods of inducing a molt in laying hens.
Some use a chemical or hormonal imbalance which will usually
cause a physiological stress. However, most will rely upon
some form of disruption to the habitual daily routine of the
hen in order to work. The disruption may take the form of
nutrient modification or various amounts of nutrient
restriction. It is generally accepted that the amount of
modification or restriction used will affect the level of
stress that the flock experiences. A high level of stress is
not necessary for a molt to work properly. The practice of
daylength reduction simulates the natural light pattern
occurring in the Fall when birds normally molt. Withholding
nutrient for the initial four days followed by gradual
restoration also mimics the natural processes. As a result,
the hen experiences no unnecessary body weight loss. This
minimizes the physiological stress.
The molting diet should contain a balance of nutrients that
will maintain the proper body weight during the rest period.
Body weight must remain below the egg production threshold
and above life maintenance needs long enough to allow the
body to restore and rebuild naturally the tissue needed for
optimum egg production after the molt.The skill of the
producer in managing the flock is the primary key to the
success of any molt.
There are two molting guides outlined at the end of this
publication. They have been developed over several years by
utilizing accepted husbandry practices rather than
procedures which may create stress for the hens. If used
correctly, they will guide any egg producer through a
successful molt program.
If you are to successfully molt a flock and attain a high
postmolt performance level, you should understand the
molting keys discussed in this publication before you use
them. These keys will apply not only to the enclosed molt
guides, but also to any other sound molting program.
Return to
Table of Contents
Decision Keys
- Molt only flocks that were good producers during the
first cycle. Molting usually will not improve the
performance of a poor producing flock during the second
cycle. However, when the first-cycle performance was poor
because of management error and not physiological
deficiencies, molting may improve the second cycle
provided that no major physiological damage has
occurred.
- Usually, it is not a good practice to molt birds that
have laid over 10-12 months during the first cycle. Birds
that have laid for longer periods do not tend to respond
well to induced molting. Normally, it is not economically
sound to molt birds before eight months of lay.
- Molt only healthy, vigorous birds. Cull all others.
Birds that have become culls before they molt will usually
become culls again shortly after the molt, if they ever do
return to production.
- Flocks to be molted should be checked by a diagnostic
laboratory for subclinical diseases and parasites. This may
affect the decision to molt and/or the length of the molting
period.
- If possible, schedule the molt during periods of low egg
prices or low market needs.
- Production during the second lay cycle should return to
about 92 to 94% of the first-cycle production.
- Birds that are molted for a period of six to eight weeks
lay more eggs and maintain a higher production rate for a
longer period of time during the lay cycle than birds molted
for a shorter period. This is due to a longer period of
strong shell deposition by the layer during the postmolt
laying period.
Return to
Table of Contents
Economic Keys
A common rule of thumb that is used to determine if molting
will be economical compares the salvage value of the hen
plus the cost of feed required to complete the molting
period with the cost of a 20-week-old pullet. It is also
necessary to weigh the demands of the current egg market and
feed costs against future projections. A pullet may lay
about five dozen fewer large eggs than a molted hen in the
first eight months of production. Depending upon the type
of molting program and ration used, from 6 to 8 pounds of
feed are required to molt a hen until 50% production is
attained.
Factors Affecting the
Choice
of Flock | Type of Flock
Favored
|
|---|
| Pullet | Molted
|
| Higher pullet costs | | +
|
| Higher spent hen prices | + |
|
| Higher egg prices | + |
|
| Higher feed prices | + |
|
| Higher capital financing
costs | | +
|
| Demand for large and
extra-large eggs | | +
|
| Strong breaker market | | +
|
| Reduced 2nd lay rate of lay | + |
|
| Reduced 2nd lay feed
efficiency | + |
|
Advantages of Induced Molting
- Hens in one flock are all molted together.
- Initial replacement costs are spread over a longer
production period.
- Shell strength and interior quality are restored to a
level approximately equal to that of a flock in production
for four months.
- A flock can be molted at the discretion of the producer
(i.e., when eggs are selling below or at the cost of
production).
- The percentage of large eggs is increased.
- Cost of feed to bring a flock into optimum production is
reduced.
Disadvantages of Induced
Molting
- Risk of perpetuating diseases on farms with multiple-age
flocks.
- Income from laying facilities stops during the molt
while overhead costs continue.
- The amount of feed to produce a dozen eggs after the
molt may be increased as much as 10%.
- Slightly higher mortality may occur during the second
cycle of production.
- Culls should be removed before initiating the molt.
- Eggs from molted hens may not always be acceptable for
the existing market due to possible deterioration of the
shell and interior quality after five to six months of
postmolt production, particularly during hot weather.
Return to
Table of Contents
Management Keys
Lighting
Preconditioning the flock physiologically is more difficult
to do in open housing due to the effects of natural day
length. It requires more attention to details.
Open housing:
January 15 to June 15 (see first "Guide for Molting" below)
- Increase day length to at least five hours longer than
the day length on the 33rd day of the molt. Do this at
least three weeks ahead of the molt date. This causes the
hens to be more receptive to the reduction in day length and
makes their response to a molt more effective.
- Seven to 10 days ahead of the molt date, reduce the
lights to the day length of the 33rd day of the molt. This
triggers certain hormone changes in the flock, causing the
hens to stop laying more quickly after the feed is removed
and eliminates the need for water restriction.
- When the flock is ready to return to production,
increase lights one hour, three to four days before the
layer diet is fed. It is better to stimulate egg
production with lights before the layer diet is fed.
Otherwise the increased nutrient level in a layer diet may
be converted by the hen into unneeded fat.
Open Housing:
June 15 to January 15 (see second "Guide for Molting" below)
- Same steps as above except shorten the day length (step
2) to natural daylight 10 days before the molt date.
Controlled light housing:
- Same steps as above except omit step 1 and reduce the
lights (step 2) by at least five hours.
Return to
Table of Contents
Feeding Phase I - Preparing the Flock for
the Molt
- Feed oxytetracycline (terramycin) at 50 gm/ton feed in
the last load of layer diet and the first load of molt diet
to minimize any possible stress. Any broad-spectrum
antibiotic will help; however, some research has indicated
that this particular antibiotic may also improve egg shell
quality later.
- Feed 4-6 lbs. of oyster shell per 100 hens on top of the
last feeding of layer diet to help prevent cage fatigue and
soft-shelled eggs.
Return to
Table of Contents
Feeding Phase II - Preparing the Flock to
Lay
- Feed a molt diet until about the 33rd day (see guides
below). Use a diet that contains 14% protein equivalent,
2-2.25% calcium, 0.45% available phosphorous, and between
1260 and 1300 Kcal/lb M.E. during cold weather. Drop the
energy during hot weather to between 1230 and 1260 Kcal M.E.
- The molt diet should contain 2.5-3% calcium (1/2 from
oyster shell) after about day 26. Start feeding a layer
diet containing 16% protein equivalent by the time 5%
production is reached until one to two weeks after peak
production with oystershell supplying 1/2 of the calcium.
Some strains of layers may have an inherent need for a
higher intake of protein to initiate postmolt egg
production. The oystershell can be replaced with limestone
after this initial period to reduce costs.
- Continue feeding a 16% protein equivalent diet postpeak
until the flock drops below 75% production unless large egg
size is a problem. Many times egg size can be reduced
without affecting the rate of production by lowering the
protein level. If not, an economic analysis may be
necessary to determine effective levels. Seek the aid of
the nutritionist who formulated the diet you are using
before changing protein to change egg size.
- Feed a 15% protein-equivalent diet when production drops
below 75%, or sooner if needed to control egg size.
Changing the level of protein should be related to the cost
of protein sources. If the cost of protein is high, it may
be wise to change at a production level above 75%.
- All nutrient changes must be made only after considering
how well the flock is performing. Some may respond very
well to protein levels of 14 to 14.5%.
- Flocks may be molted somewhat successfully on a diet of
cracked grain such as barley, oats, milo, or cracked corn.
The nutrients in oats or barley and their lower energy make
them preferable to milo or corn. It is necessary to add
vitamins and trace minerals plus calcium and phosphorus to a
cracked grain diet when molting cage layers. Consult your
nutritionist.
- Certain feeding systems may not be capable of feeding
only 8 to 10 lbs. of feed per 100 birds every other day as
called for in the attached guides. In this case, it will be
advisable to feed 12-15 lbs. on days 4, 7, 10 and 13, and
24-30 lbs. on days 16 and 19. Then feed 16 lbs. daily,
starting on day 21. See "Suggestion Key #2 below.
Never skip feed more than two days. If your feeding
system has other limitations, ask your Extension specialist
for advice.
- Certain very slow feeding systems work best by feeding a
complete cycle (a completely filled trough) once a day in
the morning every other day from day 4 through 19. Feed
once a day every day from day 20. On day 26 begin feeding
two (2) complete cycles about one hour apart every day.
Beginning on day 33, feed three (3) complete cycles about
one hour apart. About day 38 or 40 return to a normally
spread feeding program of not more than four cycles daily.
- When feeding flocks with more than four birds in
a standard type cage configuration, there are usually one or
more timid birds that do not get their share of feed during
the early restrictive period. This can be corrected by
following the feeding cycle described in item #7 above and
as illustrated in "Suggestion Key #2" below.
Return to
Table of Contents
Water
- It is not necessary nor is it recommended to
restrict water when a flock has been properly
preconditioned with day length changes.
- If absolutely necessary to affect a cessation of egg
production, restrict water only after all feed has
been digested and then only before noon for no more
than two days. Watch closely for the effects of heat and
water restriction on mortality during hot weather.
Return to
Table of Contents
Mortality
The rate of mortality during a molt varies because of
factors such as the health and vigor of the flock, season of
the year, age of the flock, and the flock's previous
mortality rate. If obvious culls are not removed before the
molt, the mortality rate will be hard to predict, but it
will usually be higher than the premolt rate, especially
during the first 10 to 14 days of the molt.
A properly culled flock should only have a very moderate
rise in mortality, if any, during the first 14 days. Some
flocks will have no increase at all from the premolt level.
In flocks where feed is withheld for 10-14 days, the
mortality rate will rise sharply in the 24 hours following
the first day a flock is fed after the withholding period.
Exactly what causes this is not known although it appears to
be aggravated by excessive heat. In order to prevent this,
limit the amount fed to about 15 lbs./100 for the first two
days that the flock is offered feed. This is not normally a
problem when feed is withheld for only four to six days.
The rate of mortality to be expected in a properly culled
flock should not exceed 1% during the first 14 days. The
rate during the entire molt should not exceed the premolt
rate and should not be over 1% per month under ideal
conditions. Under some conditions, a rate that is 0.5% per
month higher than premolt may occur if all the factors
mentioned earlier were not entirely favorable.
Return to
Table of Contents
Body Weight
- Each bird should lose between 20 and 25% of her body
weight by days 15 to 17 of the molt, depending upon the
premolt conditions.
- Birds in the flock should average near the normal 17- to
18-week-old weights for their strain (2.8 ± 0.1 lbs.)
when they reach their lowest body weight between 15 and 17
days of the molt. Much depends upon their physical
condition and the environmental temperatures at the time of
the molt. The rate of weight loss is slow in hot weather
and fast in cool weather. A flock that is relatively light
in weight before the molt may not be able to lose as much
weight as others. Watch for a decided rise from the
expected mortality which may indicate that too much weight
is being lost. The first weight loss is from feed (.25
lbs.) plus ovum (yolks) and oviduct (about .45 lbs.).
- Body weight is an important management tool used to
monitor the progress of a flock. The weight guide given
above is acceptable for most Leghorn-type hens. In warmer
weather, some flocks can lose as much as 30% without
experiencing any difficulty. Generally speaking, egg
production will not return until the body weight of the bird
rises above a threshold of about 3.2 pounds. The period of
physical rest and recovery will continue until this
threshold is reached.
- Bring the flock into production with light
stimulation rather than feed stimulation in order to
control weight gains after the onset of production following
the molt.
Return to
Table of Contents
Culling
It is not absolutely necessary to cull a flock before
molting it. However, culls usually will die first and, in
so doing, may expose the healthy hens to low-grade
infections during the period of low feed intake and
physiological weakness. Removing the weak and morbid birds,
and obvious culls before the molt will usually result in a
lower mortality during the molt and subsequent lay period.
This allows the poultryman to use the mortality level as
another management guide. Removing culls reduces feed costs
enough to more than offset the cost of labor needed to cull.
Most culls existing in the flock before the molt (yellow
heads, crow heads, morbidity) will remain culls or soon
become culls again after the molt.
Return to
Table of Contents
"How To" Keys
A good method of molting must:
- Be simple to use.
- Take the whole flock out of production quickly.
- Keep the flock out of production long enough to allow
adequate rest.
- Return the flock to full production fairly rapidly on
the desired schedule.
- Not cause excessive mortality.
- Be relatively low in cost.
Body weight is the key to any successful molting program.
Production is stopped by reducing the day length and
removing feed. The lightest body weight is usually reached
from 15 to 17 days after the molt is started. The flock
then should regain about 0.6 to 0.7 pounds by the time 50%
production is reached.
The details of effective molting guides that do not subject
the hens to unnecessary stress are given on the last two
pages for your use or for adaption into your program. They
are designed for Leghorn-type hens. They can be used for
larger hens by modifying body weights and amounts of feed to
be fed. These guides are adjusted to compensate for the
seasons when day length is increasing (January-June) or
decreasing (July-December). The environmental temperature
is taken into account on the two feeding schedules. For
answers to more detailed questions, you may wish to contact
the local Extension Office or the Extension Poultry
Specialist for Commercial Eggs in the Animal and Poultry
Sciences Department at Virginia Tech.
SUGGESTION KEY #1
Following one of the two guides at the end of this
publication will return a normal flock to 50% production in
about 56-58 days. This length of rest usually lengthens the
second production cycle by one and one-half to two months
more than molting a flock with a shorter rest cycle. A
postmolt lay period of eight to 10 months can usually be
realized by using a molt with the longer rest period due to
the extended improvement of shell quality. If you need a
return to egg production more quickly, you may modify the
feeding program according to the following schedule. Fifty
percent production is usually reached by 47-49 days, but the
total length of the laying cycle may be reduced by about two
to three months.
| Day | Action
|
| +1 to +19 | Follow one of the molt guides.
|
| +20 | Feed 14 lbs/100 hens of molt diet every day.
|
| +26 | Feed 18 lbs. daily.
(3% calcium in diet -- 1/2
from oystershell)
Add 1 hour of lights.
|
| +33 | Feed 20 lbs daily
(Go to 16% layer by 5%
production level)
Add 1 hour of lights and weigh hens.
|
| +38 | Full feed until peak production.
Add 1 hour of
lights and follow the molt guide.
|
SUGGESTION KEY #2
In housing systems with five or more hens per cage, the
amount of feed distributed at the 8-10 pound level every two
days may not be enough to allow all hens in a cage to
receive the preferred amount. Also, many older feeding
systems do not run fast enough to prevent the hens first
receiving feed from picking over it and depriving the hens
receiving feed last of getting enough feed. In order to
remedy these problems, modify the feeding schedule. Instead
of feeding a two-day supply of feed (i.e., 10 lbs.) every
second day as described in these guides, feed every third
day the total amount needed for three days (i.e., 15 lbs.).
The following example shows a two-day and a three-day
feeding schedule.
NOTE: The newer high-speed feeding systems can
usually handle the feed distribution needs on the "every
second day" schedule. Using these systems with the "every
third day" schedule has sometimes resulted in slightly
higher mortality on each third day when feed is offered. It
will be prudent to check this closely to determine the best
schedule for your operation.
| Day | Feed
Every 2 Days | Feed
Every 3 Days
|
| 0 | Feed lines run
empty
|
| 4 | 10 lbs | 15
lbs
|
| 6 | 10 lbs. | ----
|
| 7 | ---- | 15
lbs.
|
| 8 | 10 lbs. | ----
|
| 10 | 10 lbs. | 15 lbs.
|
| 12 | 10 lbs. | ----
|
| 13 | ---- | 15
lbs.
|
| 14 | 20 lbs. | ----
|
| 16 | 20 lbs. | 30 lbs.
|
| 18 | 20 lbs. | ----
|
| 19 | ---- | 30
lbs.
|
| 20 | 14 lbs. daily | ----
|
| 21 | ---- | 16
lbs. daily
|
| 26 | Follow molt
guides from here on.
|
SUGGESTION KEY #3
The steps in the guides, such as the extra light increases
before the molt, are designed to get optimal performance out
of your flock. These steps usually cause the normal decline
in egg production to reach a steady plateau. The cessation
of egg production after the start of the molt can be just as
effective by increasing the day length in one block at 14-20
days premolt and then reducing it in one block at least
seven days before day zero.
The guide directs that the hens should be weighed every two
days. Once one learns and is comfortable with the molt
procedure, a weight check every five to seven days can be
sufficient if the other control checks are positive.
Always weigh on a nonfeed day, in order to get the
most accurate values.
Trade and brand names are used only for the purpose of
information and Virginia Cooperative Extension does not
guarantee nor warrant the standard of the product, nor does
it imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others
which may also be suitable.
Return to
Table of Contents
Summary of the Keys to Successful Induced Molting
LIGHTING - Precondition the Flock
Physiologically
- Open housing - starting January 15 to June 15
- Increase day length to 20 hours four to six weeks
ahead of molt date.
- About 10 to 14 days ahead of the molt date, shorten day
length to that of the longest day during molt.
- Open housing - starting June 15 to January 15
- Same as above except shorten day length to natural
daylight.
- Controlled light housing - Shorten day length by five
hours 10 to 14 days before molt date.
- Increase lights one hour three to four days before layer
diet is fed.
FEEDING - Prepare the Flock for the
Molt
- Feed a broad spectrum antibiotic at 50 mg/ton feed in
the last load of layer and the first load of molt diet to
help control any subclinical diseases.
- Feed 4-6 lbs. of oyster shell per 100 hens (depending
upon previous rate of lay) on top of the last feeding of
regular diet to help prevent cage fatigue and increase
saleable eggs.
- Nutrient Control
- Rest the bird and rebuild the tissues without a
premature start of production.
- Control feed a 14% protein equivalent molt diet with
2.25% calcium, 0.45% available phosphorus,0.65-0.70% lysine,
0.65% total sulfur amino acids, and ME of 1260-1300 Kcal
(cold weather) or 1230-1260 Kcal (hot weather). Sodium
levels may need to be .27-.30% during feed restriction,
especially during hot weather.
- Increase the calcium level to 2.5-3% with half supplied
by oyster shell about two to three days before the expected
onset of production.
- Prepare the Flock to Lay
- For strains that tend to lay smaller eggs, feed a 17%
protein equivalent diet for one to two weeks after peak
production. Other strains usually need to start with a 16%
diet or change to one soon after 50% production is reached
in order to hold egg size down. The best calcium source is
oyster shell and should be increased to a level of 3.5 to
4%.
- Feed a 16% protein equivalent diet until production
drops below 75%. If large egg size is a problem, consult
your nutritionist about reducing the protein sooner.
- Feed a 15% protein equivalent diet after this or sooner
if needed to control egg size.
- All changes depend upon how well the flock is
performing. Follow the advice of your nutritionist.
WATER - Be Cautious!
- It usually is not necessary to restrict water when a
flock has been preconditioned with light. Restrict only if
absolutely necessary and only after all feed has been
digested (restrict no more than two consecutive half days).
- Water restriction may be necessary with a flock in
strong production at the onset of the molt.
- Do not deprive flock of water during hot weather.
BODY WEIGHT - Controls
Recovery
- Each bird will usually lose about 25% of her premolt
body weight.
- The average flock weight will drop to near 17- or
18-week old weights depending upon physical condition and
the environmental temperature. Although this molt program
will usually result in gradual weight losses of this
magnitude, recent studies have shown that such losses may
not be necessary for optimum postmolt performance as long as
an adequate resting period can be maintained. Monitor the
body weight closely as it approaches the threshold that will
allow production to start.
- Do not weigh culls. Remove them. Most culls
(diseased, immature and yellowheads) that are present before
the molt and don't die off will still be culls after the
molt.
VACCINATION - If Necessary
- Administer only during period of high protein
intake.
- Consult your veterinarian.
PRODUCTION RECOVERY
Bring the flock into production by stimulation with
lights and support that production with feed increases.
Control weight gains by nutrient manipulation only after
peak production is realized (i.e., feed restriction, protein
and energy changes).
Return to
Table of Contents
Guide for
Molting Leghorn-Type Hens
January 15 to
June 15
|
|---|
| Day | Action
|
| -38 | Increase lights to 18 hours.
|
| -31 | Increase lights to 19 hours.
|
| -24 | Increase lights to 20 hours.
|
| -24 | Revaccinate for Newcastle and Bronchitis if
deemed necessary by your veterinarian
|
| -10 | Set light clocks to bracket the day length at +33
days in open housing. For controlled light to housing,
follow instructionsin the "Lighting" section above. (This
should prevent the need to restrict water.)
|
| -7 * | Remove culls before feed runs out. The
last load of layer diet should have an antibiotic added**
|
| 0 | Let feed bin run empty on this day. Clean bulk
bin and discard stale feed material. Feed 4-6 lbs. oyster
shell/100 hens on top of the last run of feed or else
handscatter it in the trough to prevent cage fatigue and
soft shelled eggs. Weigh about 50 hens and record weights.
|
| +4 | Feed 10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens (see
"Feeding Phase II" above). Do not remove water after
returning the flock to feed.
|
| +5 | Weigh the same 50 hens. (Expect to lose about
0.5-0.6 lbs. by now.)
|
| +6 | Feed 10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens. (Expect
zero egg production.)
|
| +7 | No feed. Weigh hens. Body weight will probably
average about 3 lbs. or less.
|
| +8 | Feed 10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +9 | No feed. Weight hens. (Average weight
about 3.0 lbs.)
|
| +10 | Feed 10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +11 | No feed today. Weigh hens. Average weight
should reach 2.9-3.0 lbs.
|
| +12 | Feed 10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens. If
mortality is rising too much above normal levels, double
this amount.
|
| +13 | No feed.
|
| +14 | Feed 20 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +15 | No feed. Weigh hens. Target weight of about
2.6-2.7 lbs. should be reached.
|
| +16 | Feed 20 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +17 | No feed.
|
| +18 | Feed 20 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +19 | No feed. Body weight should stay under 3.0
lbs.
|
| +20 | Increase molt diet to 14 lbs. per 100 hens fed
every day.
|
| +26 | Increase molt diet to 16 lbs per 100 hens.
(Calcium 2.5-3% - half from oystershell). Weigh hens.
Should weigh about 3.0 lbs. and have no fat.
|
| +33 | Feed a 16% protein equivalent layer by the time
5% production is reached (see "Feeding Phase II" above).
|
| +33 | Increase feed to 18 lbs. per 100 hens. Add one
hour lights in morning.
|
| +38 | Increase feed to 20 lbs. per 100 hens. Add one
hour lights in morning. Weigh hens.
|
| +43 | Full feed until peak production. It may be
necessary to drop to 15% protein layer soon after peak
production to control egg size. Add half hour lights in
morning.
|
| +47 | Add half hour lights in morning but not over the
premolt lighting program.
|
| +54 | Add half hour lights in morning.
|
* Strains that tend to be more persistent layers may require
10 days to respond to the day length reduction while others
respond in 7 days.
** Oxytetracycline (terramycin) at 50 gm/ton in the last
load of layer diet before molting and at 100 gm/ton in the
first load of molt diet is suggested to reduce mortality and
help egg shell quality.
Return to
Table of Contents
Guide for
Molting Leghorn-Type Hens
June 15 to
January 15
|
|---|
| Day | Action
|
| -38 | Increase lights to 18 hours.
|
| -31 | Increase lights to 19 hours (not necessary after
September 15).
|
| -24 | Increase lights to 20 hours (not necessary after
September 15).
|
| -24 | Revaccinate for Newcastle and Bronchitis if
deemed necessary by your veterinarian.
|
| -10 | Turn off lights to help reduce the need to
restrict water. For controlled light housing, follow to
instructions in the "Lighting"section above. (This should
prevent the need to restrict water.)
|
| -7 * | Remove culls before feed runs out. The
last load of layer diet should have an antibiotic added.**
|
| 0 | Let feed bin run empty on this day. Clean bulk
bin and discard stale feed material. Feed 4-6 lbs.
oystershell per 100 hens on top of the last run of
feed or else handscatter it in the trough to prevent cage
fatigue and soft-shelled eggs. Weigh about 50 hens and
record weights.
|
| +4 | Feed 8-10 lbs.*** of molt diet per 100 hens (see
"Feeding Phase II" above). Do not remove water after
returning the flock to feed.
|
| +5 | Weigh the same 50 birds. (Expect to lose about
0.5-0.6 lbs. by now.)
|
| +6 | Feed 8-10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
(Expect zero egg production.)
|
| +7 | No feed. Weigh hens. Body weight will probably
average about 3 lbs. or less.
|
| +8 | Feed 8-10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +9 | No feed. Weigh hens. (Average weight
about 3.0 lbs.)
|
| +10 | Feed 8-10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +11 | No feed today. Weigh hens. Average weight
should reach 2.9-3.0 lbs.
|
| +12 | Feed 8-10 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens. If
mortality is rising too much above normal levels, double
this amount.
|
| +13 | No feed.
|
| +14 | Feed 16-20 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +15 | No feed. Weigh hens. Target weight of about
2.6-2.7 lbs. should be reached.
|
| +16 | Feed 16-20 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +17 | No feed.
|
| +18 | Feed 20 lbs. of molt diet per 100 hens.
|
| +19 | No feed. Body weight should stay under 3 lbs.
|
| +20 | Increase molt diet to 14 lbs. per 100 hens fed
every day.
|
| +26 | Increase molt diet to 16 lbs per 100 hens.
(Calcium 2.5-3% - half from oystershell). Weigh hens.
Should weigh about 3.0 lbs. and have no fat.
|
| +33 | Feed a 16% protein equivalent layer by the time
5% production is reached (see "Feed Phase II" above).
|
| +33 | Increase feed to 18 lbs per 100 hens. Add one
hour lights in morning.
|
| +38 | Increase feed to 20 lbs. per 100 hens. Add one
hour lights in morning.
|
| +43 | Full feed until peak production. It may be
necessary to drop to 15% protein layer soon after peak
production to control egg size. Add half hour lights in
morning.
|
| +47 | Add half hour lights in morning, but not over
premolt lighting program.
|
| +54 | Add half hour lights in morning.
|
* Strains that tend to be more persistent layers may require
10 days to respond to the day length reduction while others
respond in 7 days.
** Oxytetracycline (terramycin) at 50 gm/ton in the last
load of layer diet before molting and at 100 gm/ton in the
first load of molt diet is suggested to reduce mortality and
help egg shell quality.
*** Feed 8 lbs. during hot weather and up to 10 lbs. during
Fall and Winter weather.
Return to
Table of Contents
View this document in PDF format.
Visit
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Introduction