October 16, 2003

US' United Egg Producers Backs Up New Molting in Laying Hens

Last week, the US' Alpharetta-based United Egg Producers approved a new method of inducing molting in laying hens that fits within the organization's welfare guidelines for laying hens in the United States.

Molting, or the shedding of feathers, is induced in laying hens to invigorate egg production after periods of intense egg production. Birds naturally molt on a yearly basis, but egg production drops during the process.

To induce molting, the standard industry practice is to do away with the hen's access to feed.

The organization's members account for the majority of the eggs produced in the country.

Companies participating in its welfare guidelines represent 84% of all laying hens in the United States. Eggs produced under the guidelines also carry the Animal Care Certified logo on their cartons.

The new molting-induction method is approved by the group's Scientific Advisory Committee, which involves a feed alternative developed through three research studies performed by independent universities, the organization reported.

While the group did not specify the feed alternative, they did recently fund a study that showed diets containing wheat middling, a byproduct of wheat milling, produced similar results as feed restriction.

Another major industry concern is the diet also did not seem to diminish shell quality.