Rice bran constitutes about 10% of brown rice and is used as an animal feed. There are 40–45 million tonnes of rice bran produced annually, mainly in the Far East and South-east Asia. In these areas hull adulteration can occur, reducing the quality of the bran. This can now be detected by a simple colormetric method. Rancidity is a major problem due to the high oil content of the bran. Rapid hydrolysis of the oil is followed by oxidation with the changes being accelerated in warm, humid conditions. The effects on nutritive value and acceptability are unclear. An analysis of Australian produced rice bran (on a dry matter basis) gives a mean crude protein concentration of 150 g/kg, ether extract of 220 g/kg and neutral detergent fibre of 220 g/kg. The amino acid profile is generally superior to that of cereal grains. Digestibility of the oil is much less in young chickens than in adult birds resulting in a 28–35% lower metabolizable energy (ME) depending on cultivar. Equations for predicting the ME of rice bran for birds at different ages, and chemical components from rice hull content of rice bran are given. Digestibility of amino acids in rice bran is also lower for young chickens than adult birds. Inclusion of rice bran in chicken diets in excess of 20% frequently depresses growth, but higher levels can be tolerated by ducklings. Results with ducklings suggest that the composition of the basal diet to some extent influences the response of birds when rice bran is included in the diet. The inclusion of animal protein elicits an improved performance compared with that of an all-vegetable based diet. Defatted rice bran (DFRB) gives the same performance as full fat bran when equalized for ME. Laying birds can tolerate high levels of rice bran. Although some reports indicate successful inclusion of well above 600 g/kg, a practical upper limit of 450 g/kg seems to be accepted. Defatted rice bran at 250 g/kg diet resulted in leg problems, increased mortality and reduced egg output. Shell grit alleviated the problem. So far, attempts to improve the nutritive value of rice bran through addition of feed enzymes have had limited success. Feed phytase has been successful in releasing phosphorus from phytate in rice bran which is present at up to 50 g/kg dry matter. Improving the nutritional value of rice bran by heat treatment is probably not economical, although extrusion cooking will stabilize the oil before extraction and is used to stabilize rice bran for human food. Feed enzymes may be effective when a suitable combination is found.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), caused by an avibirnavirus, has been an economically significant, widely distributed condition affecting immature chickens since 1960. The classical type 1 conventional strain is responsible for up to 5% mortality in susceptible flocks. As a result of immunosuppression, growth rate, liveability, and productivity may be adversely affected by subsequent exposure to a wide range of viral, bacterial, and protozoal agents. The emergence of highly pathogenic strains of IBD virus in 1988 caused heavy losses in broiler and replacement breeder and commercial egg pullets in Europe, and subsequently in Africa and Asia. The causal virus is extremely lymphocidal with an affinity for immature B cells resulting in bursal atrophy approximately four days after infection. IBD virus is resistant to environmental exposure and is transmitted laterally by direct and indirect contact between infected and susceptible flocks. Conventional IBD is controlled by immunization of parent stock followed by vaccination of progeny after maternal antibody levels have waned. Parent level stock is immunized by one or two successive doses of live, mild or intermediate strain, attenuated vaccine to prime the immune system, followed by inactivated oil emulsion vaccines at maturity and at the mid-point of the laying cycle to boost immunity and ensure transfer of protective maternal antibody to progeny. Highly pathogenic IBD is controlled by a number of alternative strategies, including administration of live vaccines of low attenuation or simultaneous doses of live intermediate strain attenuated vaccine with inactivated oil emulsion during the first week. All successful programmes require diligent care regarding handling and administration of vaccine. Serological monitoring using automated ELISA technology is an accepted method of confirming that flocks are adequately protected. In the future recombinant and subunit vaccines will be developed to control existing strains and the variants which will emerge in areas with a high density of poultry production.

The slaughter of poultry differs from the slaughter of all other meat-producing animals in that the live birds are hung upside down in shackles prior to slaughter. There is concern from animal welfare organizations such as the United Kingdom Farm Animal Welfare Council that this practice, although necessary for present methods of humane slaughter, causes possible distress and pain to the birds. This paper reviews the regulations on the provision for the welfare of poultry at slaughter as it affects shackling, the equipment involved in shackling, and the physiological and psychological effect of shackling on birds.

A previously unknown disease which has spread among broiler farms in Pakistan attacks well grown 3–5 week old chickens causing 60–70% mortality. At autopsy the most prominent lesion is hydropericardium, hence the name hydropericardium syndrome. The disease is believed to be caused by a hitherto unreported virus, but one that only becomes activated when there is coinfection with an adenovirus. The results of studies on various aspects of the syndrome are highlighted, including aetiology, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis and control. Areas requiring further research are identified.

The contributions to poultry science and practice of Milo Hastings (1884–1957) are reviewed. In his short career with poultry, which lasted only nine years, he initiated the first laying trials in the USA, invented an instrument for measuring humidity in egg stores, and designed and constructed the first mammoth, forced draught incubators. He also wrote a manual of poultry practice on sound scientific lines. In 1915 he advocated strongly the application of industrial techniques to intensive poultry production, but in such a way as to take account of both welfare and economics.