Bapak Anwar
Malang-East Java
Why in the maintenance of laying hens need to do force molting? How to handle if there is weight loss and production due to force molting?
Answer:
Dear. Mr. Anwar, thank you for your question. Previously, we will review about molting. Molting it is a natural process that usually occurs in laying hens that have been producing for quite a long time (±80 weeks) and lasts for ± 4 months (North and Bell, 1990). Molting able to maintain long production and improve egg quality through the process of chicken rejuvenation. This is due to the improvement of ovarian function (egg-producing) by new cells or tissues (Barua, et al., 2001). Process molting this can be accelerated by applying the method molting force or force moltingtreatment,which takes only 6-8 weeks.
Main principles force molting is to provide a rest period for laying eggs for adult chickens. In order for the chicken to rest, then we need to give “stress” to the chicken, then the egg production stops and the means of reproduction will experience “improvement”. The stress or pressure in question include reducing the amount of ration gradually, satisfying the chicken without being given ration at all for some time, or changing the composition of the ration formulation. However, of the several methods, the most commonly performed in the field is the second method, which is to quench the chicken.
Widhanarto (1996) states that force molting has a close relationship with egg production, during which force molting there will be a drastic decrease in egg production or the chicken stops laying altogether, as well as a decrease in body weight. However, according to North and Bell (1990), the program force molting under certain conditions it is seen as more profitable in many ways, including more cost-effective rations, and can improve the quality and production of eggs.
After force molting, that is, when new feathers have grown, the chicken will return to laying even if the amount of production is not as high as during the normal laying period. Egg production usually varies around 10-30% lower than normal, depending on the health status and level of stress stress experienced by chickens. After force molting, the quality of the eggs produced will be better, where the size of the eggs can be larger/heavier than normal and the color of the shellfish is better. According to research Widodo (2008), reported that the program force molting provide satisfactory results on the quality of eggs. The egg shell becomes brown again and the quality of the shell is thicker.
Usually in the program force molting chicken appetite decreased by 50%, so the portion of the ration for chickens being molting a maximum of 50% of normal conditions. Even on some farm, there are farmers who only give corn only during molting. While weight loss during force molting can occur by 25-30% depending on the initial weight of the chicken when the program is applied. Weight loss is very important to release fat around the reproductive organs. But in doing this program there are several things that must be prepared, among others:
- Before force molting, the chicken must be ensured to be healthy. If there is an unhealthy chicken, it must be diafkir (sold) because the chicken can die when force molting carried out.
- Standard body weight of chickens that will be in-force molting should range from 1.9 to 2 kg with an age range of 80 weeks or more. Seconds molting usually chickens become very weak and the level of stress is high, making them susceptible to disease.
After the program force molting ends (already more than 30 days), then the chickens can be given a complete ration with normal portions and the body weight will gradually increase again. As for accelerating the growth of feathers after the process force moltingaddition, can be given supplements containing amino acids, vitamin B complex, A, D, E, and some essential minerals. Awarding Aminovit, Strong Egg, Egg Stimulant, Mix Plus or Mineral Feed Supplement A from the 31st day until the chicken enters the 2nd reject period, it is known to accelerate feather growth, suppress the effects of stress experienced by chickens, improve ration conversion and accelerate egg production with better quality.
