FORCED MOLTING - A MERCILESS PRACTICE 

At the onset of winter, most chickens naturally molt. They replace all their feathers in order to maintain good plumage. The hen stops laying eggs and concentrates her energies on staying warm and growing new feathers.

With the advent of factory farms, the food-buying public expects cheap, plentiful eggs year – round.

The egg industry therefore exploits this natural process by forcing an entire flock to molt simultaneously. By strategically rotating one flock out of production and through molt while others are laying, egg production is kept as consistent as possible.
During a forced molt, the birds cease producing eggs, which allows the bird's reproductive tracts to regress and rejuvenate. After the molt, the hen's egg production rate usually peaks slightly lower than the previous peak, but egg quality is improved. 

Hens go through a traumatic and cruel process in order that they may produce a few more eggs before being sent off to slaughter.

Forced molting is induced by keeping the hens in darkness in long, low sheds called “blackout houses” and putting them under stress - usually by withholding food for a period of up to two weeks. Hens are force molted in the United States "until their combs turn blue."

It is deemed more profitable to manipulate older hens during their later laying seasons rather than to slaughter them after 1 to 2 years of relentless egg - laying on a calcium-deficient diet.

Many chickens die during the process. Survivors may be force-molted two or three times.
At any given time over 6 million hens in the U.S. are being systematically starved. (UPC)

Forced molting has been outlawed in many countries outside of the U.S. including the UK, the EU and India.

Sadly the majority of chickens are confined on cruel factory farms. And whether they are being raised for their meat or eggs, they are all subjected to extreme confinement, mutilations without painkillers, and a ruthless slaughter.
You can take a stand for chickens and other animals every time you eat by choosing delicious vegan friendly foods.
Images from top left: 1, 2 & 3 found on Pinterest, 4 with kind permission from Jo - Anne McArthur.
