Physiological Changes in Caged Layers During a Forced Molt

Abstract

The effects of forced molting on body weight and the absolute and relate weights of the liver, ovary, oviduct, right adrenal, and spleen were studied. White Leghorn hens which were reared and maintained under commercial conditions were force molted by reducing daylength as well as by withdrawing feed and water. This procedure induced a pause in egg production within one week of the initiation of feed removal. Four trials were conducted. In Trial 1 the hens were sampled at weekly intervals for 56 days beginning at the time feed was removed. In Trials 2, 3, and 4 the hens were sampled either daily or on alternate days for up to 22 days beginning at the time of feed removal. The absolute and relative weights of the liver, ovary, and oviduct were decreased significantly. Body weight decreased consistently. No consistent trend over the four trials was found in the absolute or relative weights of the right adrenal or the spleen.