Alternative procedures for molt induction: practical aspects

Shortening daylight (to 10.5 to 11 h/d) slightly reduced the rest period (the interval between last egg and first clutch), whereas feeding a low-protein diet during the 22-d period following 8 d of feed withdrawal (FW) (recovery period) markedly extended it. Feed withdrawal accompanied by a short-daylight regime and a long recovery period led to the best postmolt production. However, production per hen housed during the whole experimental period was only slightly increased. Thus, a long rest period may mask the positive effects of short daylight and recovery diet. At least 140 to 170 d were needed to enable the molted hens to compensate for the loss of eggs during the rest period. Therefore, under certain economic conditions, rearing of nonmolting hens for 640 to 700 d should be an economic consideration. Ten days of feeding of a diet containing 0.06% nicarbazin (NICR) arrested egg production and caused a 22-d rest period but not a typical molt. Few variables of production or shell quality were improved by NICR but to a lesser extent than by FW or Zn feeding. Five days of feeding on a high-Zn diet (20 g Zn/kg; HZn) improved postmolt performances similarly to FW. Ten days of feeding on a modest-Zn (2.8 g Zn/kg), low-Ca, and low-P diet (Zn-CaP) affected postmolt performances inconsistently. In one out of two trials (trial 2), the effects of Zn-CaP were similar to those of FW or HZn; in the other (trial 3), the effects were less pronounced, more time was required for egg arrest, and more eggs were laid occasionally during the rest period. In trial 2, only the Zn-CaP diet was accompanied by short daylight. In both trials, feed intake during the induction period was only slightly reduced. Zn feeding increased the yolk Zn content slightly in eggs laid during the induction period and at the onset of production. In trial 2, only Zn-CaP markedly increased yolk Zn of eggs laid during the first 5 d of production.