However, commercial layers retain in their physiological repertoire the ability to tolerate prolonged fasting and to undergo a spontaneous regression of the reproductive tract and feather molting.
Induction of a coordinated molt, by manipulation of environmental and nutritional cues, or endocrine manipulation, can be used in domestic hens to regress and regenerate the reproductive tract.
This improves subsequent egg production and eggshell quality. This process also induces temporary recrudescence of lymphoid tissues and may alter immune function in hens.
The process of molting, and the subsequent recovery from the molt, may be viewed as a complex physiological constellation, induced by environmental and nutritional cues, involving endocrine systems, reproductive tissue structure and function, lymphoid structure, and immune function.