24-HOUR FEED WITHDRAWAL AND LIMITED FEEDING AS ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR INDUCTION OF MOLT IN LAYING HENS

Alternative molting methods involving shorter periods of feed withdraw al and feeding a low-density and low-energy ''molt diet'' were compare d to conventionally molted (8-day feed removal) and non-molted hens. A lternative molt methods consisted of feeding the molt diet for 28 days for ad libitum intake, daily limited, or alternate-day limited (feedi ng every other day). Egg production, egg weight, specific gravity, bod y weight, feed intake, and mortality were recorded for 31 wk from the start of the molt (4 wk molt, 1 wk prelay, and 26 wk postmolt). Econom ic variables (feed cost, egg value, income over feed costs per hen hou sed) were compared between molting methods. Hens provided ad libitum a ccess to the molt diet produced more eggs during the molt period than hens molted by other methods. Total egg production and income (egg val ue minus feed cost) were comparable among all molting methods and exce eded the values for nonmolted control hens. Income per hen housed was $2.20 for nonmolted control, $2.87 for the conventional, $2.92 for ad libitum, $2.81 for daily limited, and $2.97 for the alternate-day limi ted hens. These results indicate that alternative molting methods invo lving periods of feed withdrawal of 24 h or less can be as economicall y effective as conventional methods using longer periods of feed withd rawal.