Poultry Biology - Raising Poultry - page 51

LAYING UNTIL THEY DROP
Many commercial laying operations control the laying cycle of a flock with artificial
light and extend the laying cycle well beyond the normal time of 8 to 12 months. This
is done to get the most possible eggs out of the hen before she goes off to the soup
factory and is replaced by a new, unsuspecting young pullet about to begin her life of
high production. Once she begins her laying cycle, she will be forced to produce as
many eggs as possible until she is exhausted.
A feather is made up of a quill , which is carried through the vane as a shaft (see dia-
gram on page 49 ) . The barbs branch out from the quill and barbules branch from the
barbs. The barbicels that branch from the barbules have small hooks on the ends that
interconnect with other barbicels to make the vane more airtight.
Molting is a seasonal event for all birds. More than just a time of feather loss, it is
also when fowl decline in reproductive ability, sperm count goes down in males, and
females stop producing eggs. It is an essential process for the bird to take some time
off from the intense pressures of laying. The bird rests and not only regenerates feathers
but also refreshes the reproductive tract and rebuilds overall body strength. It is perhaps
more crucial in the female than the male, but is an important period of rejuvenation for
both sexes. Egg laying is hard on the system and the hens need a rest to help rebuild
calcium levels in the body as well as time to grow a new set of feathers for insulation
and protection.
In natural-light systems, molting occurs as autumn approaches and the days grow
shorter. Days and nights get cooler, light decreases, and hens, as well as roosters, will
usually molt and get a fresh new coat of feathers to survive the winter. Waterfowl and
turkeys tend to molt sooner than the autumnal equinox. They typically begin losing their
feathers after the first big summer heat wave — males first, then females.
Remember, feathers are high in protein, so a bird needs a good diet when undergoing
this process. The molting phase is not the time to cut corners on feed (not that there ever
is a good time). With the use of artificial light, the duration of laying prior to molting
can be extended to 15 months or more. After this, however, the bird is usually physiolo-
gically exhausted and ready for slaughter. Backyard flock owners must be careful about
overuse of artificial lighting if they wish to extend the life and reproductive cycle of the
bird. See chapter 28 , Calendar Considerations, for more information about molting and
the use of artificial light to extend the laying period.