Molting

Molting ,Phases of Moulting

1. Molting

2. What is molting??? Molting is the process of shedding and renewing feathers. During the molt the reproductive system of the bird is allowed a complete rest from laying and the bird builds up its body reserves of nutrients.

3. Molting before sexual maturity The chick goes through one complete and three partial molts during its growth to point of lay, after which the mature bird normally undergoes one complete molt a year, usually in autumn. Generally complete molting occurs from 1-6 weeks Partial molting (7-9 weeks, 12-16 weeks, 20-22 weeks)

4. Advantages It is cheaper to carry a bird through a molt than to buy replacement pullets Fewer replacement pullets may be needed, and buying can often be delayed, which mean saving of money, time and transport Molted birds are hardier, and not as prone to disease If strict culling is practiced during first year only good producers will be retained for 2 nd year

5. Advantages To tide over low price periods and obtain eggs when high prices are likely to exist Economic problems in maintaining egg production at low prices Larger eggs produced when the hens resume production If replacement stock is not available, the same flock can be recycled Reduction in time that the house is not producing income

6. Disadvantages Although the molted birds eat less feed than pullets, they also lay less eggs During molt the birds continues to eat but remains unproductive If the birds are to be slaughtered after 2 years of laying they will not be as tender to eat Too few birds may be retained to provide sufficient eggs the following year

7. Disadvantages Cost of feeding during molting may sometimes be more than the extra profits expected in second cycles Lower egg production. After molting, the second year of egg production will be between 10 and 30% less than that achieved by the birds in their first year of lay. Birds which have molted twice and are laying for their third year will lay only 70-80% of their second year’s eggs. i.e. about 60% of their first year’s production Poorer interior quality of the egg than in first cycle. Erratic progression

8. Molting with fasting In commercial layers the recommended period for starting molt is 62-63 weeks. There are several requirements to good molting program. As stress must be created to cause the birds to drop their feathers, the best molting programs are generally those that create the least amount of stress, produce a rapid molt, and get birds back into egg production quickly .

9. Four phases of molting Pre Molt phase Initiating Molt Resting phase Bring flock back to production

10. Pre-Molt Phase Before the initiation of molt, a pre molt period of one week should be provided to birds. During this period, following steps should be ensured Check health status of the flock Check external parasites if present dip the bird in “ nicobalm solution” Check feather follicles for lice if present allow the birds for d.b Check internal parasites use dewormer “ pipperazine ”

11. Pre-Molt Phase Apply some broad spectrum antibiotics such as “Neomycin”, “ Tylosin ”, “Chloramphenicol” Check the bird titer for ND/IB and vaccinate if necessary Classify and categorize birds according to body weight categories The lighting and feeding must be 24 hour and ad-lib. respectively.

12. Initiating Molt All molting programs require that egg production be reduced to zero, which is usually accomplished by fasting (no feed) the flock or by limiting critical nutrients such as protein, calcium, or sodium until or beyond the time production ceases . Some producers include 1 or 2 days of water removal to help get the flocks out of production, but this action is not necessary and creates certain risks, especially during summer months. Artificial lights should be turned off in open house and reduced to no more than 8 hours in environmentally controlled housed.

13. Initialing Molt The duration of fasting can be decided according to the body weight of birds and different periods can be made for different weight categories. This practice can help in improving the flock uniformity. A recommended fasting program is given below . When the time frame for certain body weight category is over supplement it with Corn as its nutritional profile is fit to be used for molted birds (ME 3390 Kcal/Kg, CP 7-9%).   Females Body Weight 1500 g 1600 g 1700 g Fasting Period 7 days 10 days 14 days

14. Resting phase Once the flock is out of production, it may be held out of production for as little as one week to as much as 4 or 5 weeks depending on the intent of the manager and the feeding program implemented during this period. A short resting period can get a flock back to peak production in 4 or 5 weeks from initiation of the molt, or if the intended second cycle period is to be less than 6 months in length. Shorter rests, though are usually associated with lower rates of egg production and poorer egg shell quality .

15. Resting phase Longer rests will result in production peak 10-11 weeks after molt is induced. These are commonly associated with higher rates of lay and better eggshell quality. Longer rests should be used if egg prices are low during the time of the molt and is the flock is to be kept for more than six months .

16. Returning to laying In summer months the birds will be back from molting in 35 days while in winter they take almost 42 days. The bird are said to be molted when they reduce 25% of their original body weight. When birds are ready flush them with vinegar and sugar solution as if any litter in intestine come out .

17. Weekly Feed Allowance Body Weight   Feed Allowance (Ground Corn) Females 1100 g 1200 g 1300 g Week 1 45 g daily 45 g on alternate days 45 g on alternate days Week 2 60 g daily 60 g alternate 45 g on alternate days Week 3 90 g daily 90 g daily 90 g daily