Historical and current molting practices in the U.S. table egg industry

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. Justification 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.