THE MOLTING OF FOWLS 



In recent years much has been said in print and on the platform about 

 the advisability of attempting to force fowls to shed their feathers early 

 in the season with the hope of inducing them to lay earlier in the winter 

 than they would if allowed to follow their natural habit. The method 

 by which this early molt was said to be secured was by starving the 

 fowls for a few weeks, which would cause egg-production to cease and 

 the feathers to loosen through lack of nourishment. This starvation 

 process was followed by liberal feeding on rich, feather-making and 

 egg-producing rations, which were supposed to force a uniform, rapid 

 and complete early molt and a quick growth of new feathers, followed 

 closely by heavy, early -winter laying. As to the wisdom of the practice, 

 practical poultrymen disagree. Among those who have tried various 

 methods of so-called "forcing the molt," there are many different opin- 

 ions, both as to the best methods to follow and the value of the results 

 to be obtained. Some few who have tried "forcing the molt" favor 

 the practice; others are equally strong in condemning it. 



In all the discussions there appear to be few facts presented, either 

 for or against the plan, that may be considered to be conclusive. Almost 

 no comparative results are available. The experiences cited are isolated 

 cases with single flocks where the results secured may have been due 

 to any one of a large number of contributory causes other than the 

 method of feeding for "forcing the molt." The only data on the subject 

 from the Experiment Stations states that the molt can be hastened by 

 certain methods of feeding.* Furthermore, a careful study of the 

 literature on the subject reveals the fact that little appears to be known 

 about the sequence in plumage and the nature of the molt of the 

 domestic fowl. 



With the object in view of securing facts as to the nature and growth 

 of feathers and conditions that govern their development, several series 

 of observations have been made at Cornell, and a feeding experiment 

 undertaken, the methods and results of which are now to be discussed. 



For convenience and clearness the subject is presented in two parts: 



I. Observations on the development of feathers and the sequence 

 in plumage (By Clara Nixon), pages 20 to 28. 



II. Experiments in which an attempt was made to "force the molt." 

 (First half by Frank S. Conger; second half by C. A. Rogers), pages 

 28 to 65. 



* Atwood, Bulletin 83, Wsst Virginia Experiment Station, 



365 



