Induced Molting of Layer Birds Essay -- Animals Papers

bring on slough of Layer BirdsInduced molting of layer birds is a practice done for economical benefits. These birds ar put under great stress, which should not be allowed. Further studies of humane induce molting techniques should be done to replace those that are currently employ and inhumane. In nature birds undergo natural molting. During a year birds will replace all of their feather to maintain a good plumage, this usually occurs at the beginning of winter when birds do not have chicks. They can concentrate their energies to stay warm and to grow new feathers. (Animal Protection Institute, 1998) However, there also is induced molting, which is done by human influence. The later is practiced by 60% - 70% of the layer industry, so that a second cycle of laying flocks is achieved. (Macri et al., 1998)Induced molting occurs when the birds organism is stressed by some source that alters their environment. The most common are lack of food and water, decrease of light, a nd alternate in diet. Food withdrawal can be up to 10 days and of water up to 2 days. The change in diet usually is a low calcium, or low sodium and also feeding a diet high in dietary zinc. All of these methods can be done separately or in any combination with each other. (Alodan and Mashaly, 1998).At the end of every laying cycle, screwball quality and production are decreased. This is when induced molting is imposed to give a rest to the birds. After the rest period egg quality and production are increased when compared to the pre-molting period. at that place are several improvements to the egg at the post-molt period there is a better egg size, shell quality, internal egg quality and rate of egg production. (Alodan and Mashaly, 1998)... ...on Caused by Salmonella Enteritidis. Tektran, United States Department of Agriculture, Agrucultural Research Service (12/18/1998). Last visited on 09/09/2001 at http//www.nal.usda.gov/ttic/tektran/data/000007/07/0000070701.htmlPoul try.org, a Farm Sanctuary Campaign. Forced Molting of Laying Birds Last visited on 09/09/2001 at http//www.poultry.org/molting.htmRuszler, Paul L. The Keys to Successful Induced Molting of Leghorn-type Hens Extension Poultry Scientist, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Virginia State Univerty. outlet Number 408-026, January 1997. Last visited on 09/09/2001 at http//www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/408-026/408-026.htmlTOCSummer/Fall 1998 Poultry Press Balancing Economics and Evil Induced Molting. Last visited on 09/22/2001 at http//www.upc-online.org/summer98/molting_econ_and_evil.htmltop