Induced molting is a process that stimulates natural molting events. When birds return to full feed, a new plumage develops and the birds resume egg production at a higher rate with better egg quality. Induced molting extends the productive life of commercial chicken flocks and results in substantial reduction in the number of chickens needed to produce the nation's egg supply. However, molting induced by feed withdrawal (FW) cause discomfort and stress in hens. This study involved feeding palm kernel meal mixed with layer ration at different ratios to hens to determine their ability to induce molt. The treatment ratios were 90% palm kernel meal and 10% layer ration (PKM90), 80% palm kernel meal and 20% layer ration (PKM80) and 70% palm kernel meal and 30% layer ration (PKM70). In addition, a fully fed (FF) nonmolted control and a FW negative control were used. Results show that the highest percentage of body weight loss was in FW (23.96%) molted hens during 12-d molt induction period, but their differences with palm kernel meal molted hens were not significant. Also different levels of palm kernel meal in diet were equally effective as feed withdrawal in causing ovary weight regression in birds. Feeding 90% palm kernel meal in diet during molt period significantly improved post molt egg laid quality similarly to FW. Molted hens induced by palm kernel meal exhibit postmolt levels of egg production over a twelve week period that were significantly more than hens molted by feed withdrawal (P < 0.05). Palm kernel meal is an insoluble, high fiber feedstuff that can be used as a viable alternative to conventional FW methods for induced molting program of commercial laying hens.
