Forced moulting of layer chickens considering economic factors

For laying hens, high egg production is a key factor in poultry farming. However, after an extended period of heavy egg-laying, hens typically undergo natural molting to renew their feathers and restore their health. This process can last up to four months, during which the hens stop laying eggs and experience reduced activity. To speed up this process and bring the hens back into production more quickly, farmers often use forced molting. This method allows hens to shed old feathers, regrow new ones, and resume egg-laying within eight weeks. As a result, forced molting has become a common practice in commercial poultry operations. Many chicken farmers plan for forced molting in advance, but sometimes economic factors prompt sudden decisions. For instance, if egg prices are expected to rise, or if costs need to be cut due to falling prices, farmers may choose to induce molting. To make informed choices, it's important to analyze several factors that influence the cost and profit before and after forced molting. First, comparing the costs between new hens and moulting hens is essential. The goal of forced molting is to lower the overall cost of egg production compared to raising new hens. The cost of raising a new hen to maturity is around 13 yuan, while the cost of producing eggs from a moulting hen includes feed, labor, and management expenses. On average, this cost is estimated at 9.5 yuan per hen. Second, egg production during the second cycle tends to be lower than in the first. While peak production may reach 95% of the first cycle, it can drop to 85% after six months. Additionally, the total egg output in the second cycle is about 90% of the first, but with a higher mortality rate, the effective output may only be 85%. Third, eggs from the second cycle are generally larger. This is because heavier hens tend to lay bigger eggs, though they may lay fewer of them. The percentage of large or extra-large eggs increases significantly in the second cycle, making them more valuable in the market. Fourth, the weight of hens increases after forced molting and continues to grow during the second laying period. This leads to higher feed consumption. In one study, feed intake increased from 121g per day in the first cycle to 136g in the second, which affects overall production efficiency. Fifth, egg quality changes over time. Shell quality tends to be better initially in the second cycle but declines rapidly after six months, especially under hot conditions. Internal egg quality changes less dramatically, so it’s not usually a major concern for farmers. Lastly, mortality rates are slightly higher in the second laying period, rising from 5.6% to 6.1%. In conclusion, when deciding whether to implement forced molting, farmers should carefully consider all these factors along with market conditions to maximize profitability and ensure long-term sustainability on the farm.

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