VETERINARIANS SHOULD

OPPOSE THE INTENTIONAL STARVATION OF ANIMALS FOR PROFIT

Please join us in urging the American Veterinary Medical Association to oppose the FORCED MOLTING of 'laying' hens.

FORCED MOLTING refers to the manipulation of hormones in hens to promote egg production. Each year the egg industry, with the support of the AVMA, intentionally deprives millions of hens of all food for an average of 1 - 2 weeks, until they lose 25 to 35 percent of their body weight. Forced molting is so stressful it increases bone breakage and impairs the hens' immune system, predisposing the birds and their eggs to Salmonella infection. USDA immunologist Peter Holt reports that while unmolted hens usually have to ingest 50,000 Salmonella cells to become infected, molted hens need fewer than 10. Once infected, these hens are more likely to lay contaminated eggs. "Molting, in combination with an SE [Salmonella enteritidis] infection, created an actual disease state in the alimentary tract of affected hens."

Each year, hundreds of thousands of hens die as a direct result of forced molting. The AVMA currently endorses forced molting. The veterinary community is thus endorsing a starvation practice it does not condone for dogs, cats, companion birds, or other animals.

Sponsored by: American Anti-Vivisection Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Place, Animal Protection Institute of America, Animal Rights International, Animal Welfare Institute, Ark Trust, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Doris Day Animal League, Farm Animal Reform Movement, Farm Sanctuary, Fund for Animals, Humane Farming Association, Humane Society of the United States, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, United Poultry Concerns.