Induced molting is a management practice
used primarily by commercial egg producers to optimize
the utilization of their layer flocks. Historically, flocks
produced eggs for a laying cycle of 1 yr duration and
then were sold. With induced molting, flocks are molted
and returned to lay for additional laying periods, thereby
spreading fixed costs over longer time and more units of
production. It is estimated that today more than 75% of all flocks are molted as a part of a regular replacement
program. The decision to molt or to operate an all-pullet
program is based upon comparisons of flock performance
and prices for replacement pullets, eggs, and feed. Justifi-
cation for the use of molting, therefore, is in the higher
total productivity of flocks, reduced costs associated with
production, and reduced industry investments in breeder
farms, rearing farms, and hatcheries