Forced molting is a process in which chickens are intentionally starved and deprived of water to induce the shedding of feathers and regrowth. This controversial practice is often used in commercial egg production to increase eggshell quality and quantity. However, animal welfare advocates argue that forced molting is inhumane and can cause severe stress and health problems for the birds. As such, some alternative terms have been suggested to refer to this process, including "artificial molting", "induced molting", and "controlled feather loss". These synonyms highlight the unnatural and manipulative nature of forced molting and provide a clearer understanding of its negative impact on animal welfare.