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A practical method for induced moulting of caged layers that combines full access to feed and water, dietary thyroactive protein, and short day length

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

W.J. Kuenzel ,
R.F. Wideman ,
M. Chapman ,
C. Golden  and
D.M. Hooge
W.J. Kuenzel*
Affiliation:
O-403 Poultry Science Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR 72701, USA
R.F. Wideman
Affiliation:
O-403 Poultry Science Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR 72701, USA
M. Chapman
Affiliation:
O-403 Poultry Science Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR 72701, USA
C. Golden
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
D.M. Hooge
Affiliation:
Hooge Consulting Service, Inc., Eagle Mountain, UT, USA
*
*Corresponding author: wkuenzel@uark.edu
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Abstract

This paper reviews and presents data suggesting that the use of thyroxine (T4) to induce moult in poultry may be a viable alternative to previous methods involving feed withdrawal or feed avoidance. Studies completed in wild and domestic avian species have indicated that T4 is associated with the natural moulting process. Four experiments, spanning the range from using a purified, injectable form of T4 to a cost effective commercially available product, iodinated casein (economical source of T4) that can be fed to hens via a standard poultry ration, are presented. Since hens have full access to the diet during the induced moult, it is hoped that the procedure will be acceptable both to the poultry industry and to organizations concerned about the welfare of birds during this period of their annual cycle.

Keywords

hensthyroxineiodinated caseinphotoperiodmoulting procedure
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 61 , Issue 4 , December 2005 , pp. 599 - 624
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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