Subsequent Production and Egg Quality of Forced Molted Hens

Abstract

PHYSIOLOGISTS studying the mechanism of molting in birds have associated the activity of the thyroid and pituitary with the cessation of lay and feather loss (Tanabe et al., 1957; Perek et al., 1957). Data from these and other studies (Adams, 1955; Harris and Shaffner, 1957; and Himeno and Tanabe, 1957) would indicate that compounds such as progesterone, Enheptin and thyroxine can be used to effectively induce a cessation of lay and feather drop in the commercial layer. While the use of these compounds has been reported to be generally more effective than feed and/or water restriction in initiating a feather drop, Edmondson (1958) and Hansen (1960) have shown that a severe restriction of feed and water is as effective for inducing a cessation of lay. Subsequent production of birds that have been forced out of production by a removal or restriction of feed and/or water was found by Hansen (1960) …