Induced molting is an important tool for the economic
management of laying flocks. Concerns about the effects
of fasting on the welfare of the hens and reports that
suggest that molting hens may be more susceptible to
Salmonella infection have led to calls for the abolition of
induced molting. Curtailment of induced molting would
be expected to reduce the profitability of the laying hen
enterprise and increase the cost of eggs and egg products
to the consumer. Understanding the physiological effects
of molting is necessary to rationally address hen welfare
and food safety concerns and to most efficiently and humanely
manage laying flocks. This paper will compare
the induction of molting in wild and domestic species
and will examine the physiological changes that accompany
the induction and recovery from an induced molt
with regard to the endocrine, reproductive, and immune
and hematopoietic systems