Induced Molting: Production and Physiology

With the increase in economic pressure in world there is more need of the recycling of layers through induced molting. We have used feed withdrawal, photoperiodic alterations and the use of high dietary zinc (Zn) as an effective method to induce molt in laying hens. There were deficiency in the studies of induced molting related to immune system and pituitary cells function in different hormonal secretions. Keeping in view the significance of eggs in the human nutrition, the current study was undertaken to determine the impact of molting on immunity of birds, egg quality characteristics and immunohistochemical changes in the pars distalis after induction of molt in laying hens. This book, therefore, provides an insight into the use of dietary Zn to induce molt and its effect on subsequent production cycles in laying hens. The study will also help to enable the poultry farmers and researchers to formulate a diet for molt induction in laying hens because the traditional fast induced molting method is under criticism by the animal rights associations.

Autorentext

Mansur A. Sandhu, PhD, Studied Veterinary Physiology and working as Assistant Professor at the Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Dr. Zia-ur-Rahman, Ph.D. from University of Arizona, USA and working as Professor at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.