Animal welfare activists have objected to induced molting
on the grounds that fasting to induce molting is cruel.
However, the degree of fasting imposed to induce molt
must be viewed in the context of the physiological adaptations
of the hen. Most birds are adapted to exploiting
food sources that are unevenly distributed both time and
space, forcing the birds to survive without food for indefinite
periods. Many species are also required to fast
for extended periods by the conditions of migration or
incubation. These birds have a number of adaptations
including the ability to build fat reserves. Besides reliance
on catabolism of abdominal and other fat depots, the
jungle fowl and the commercial hen have the ability to
consume resources made available by involution of the
ovary and oviduct which spares other fat and protein
reserves. It is clear that many avian species, such as the
jungle fowl, are well adapted to survive prolonged fasting.
Likewise, it would appear that the commercial layer
is tolerant of fasting as evidenced by reduced mortality
during the fasting phase of induced molts.