How to Keep Hens Healthy and Productive During Molting

Keeping hens healthy and productive is a big deal for farmers. A recent study looked at how molting affects hens in two different flocks. One group had access to free-range during molting, while the other did not. The study found that both groups saw a drop in egg production during molting, but they bounced back afterward. The hens' overall health took a hit during molting. They lost weight, but gained it back later. Egg quality improved post-molt, which is a good sign. However, keel bone fractures became more common, even though bone density stayed the same or improved. This suggests that molting might weaken bones in ways that aren't always visible.Flock 2, which didn't have free-range access, saw more comb injuries. This might be because they were fed abruptly and lacked outdoor space. Flock 1, managed with a gentler molting process, showed calmer behavior and better skin health. The study also found that the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the hens' diet might not have been ideal. This could have limited how well their bones recovered. Since molting happened in different seasons, weather and daylight changes might have affected the results. The study shows that molting outcomes depend on how the hens are managed and the conditions they're kept in. Methods like individual marking and X-raying were useful, but farmers need to be careful during molting because hens are extra sensitive then.