The feeding value of sorghum for poultry has been a subject of study for many years. Of particular interest has been tannin, an antinutritive factor present in some sorghum cultivars, its influence on bird performance and means of alleviating its effects. This paper briefly discusses antinutritive factors in feedstuffs and reviews in detail the literature on the deleterious effects of sorghum tannins on various performance parameters and on the detoxif ication methods that have been tested. Inconsistencies in the literature are highlighted.

Broodiness or, more precisely, incubation behaviour, results in the regression of the ovary and in lost egg production. It is a particular problem in turkeys and broiler breeders and may become more of a problem for other types of poultry if ‘welfare friendly’ husbandry systems become more widely used. Any system that allows the expression of full nesting behaviour will encourage the development of broodiness. The incidence of broodiness can be reduced in three ways: changing the genotype, manipulating the environment and by administering veterinary products to alter hormone function. The first two methods are generally employed, but are costly. While the third approach has not proved to be commercially viable, the situation may change. Recent advances in understanding the hormone control of broodiness have led to the identification of two novel potential veterinary products for immunization against broodiness. The first is based on the observation that an increase in the secretion of the pituitary hormone, prolactin, causes broodiness. The prolactin gene of the domestic fowl has been cloned and used to produce recombinantderived prolactin. This has been used successfully to immunize domestic fowl against broodiness, without compromising a high rate of egg laying. The second immunological approach is based on the identification of the avian prolactin releasing hormone as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). This 28-amino acid neuropeptide was originally isolated from the gut. Immunization against VIP suppresses prolactin secretion and inhibits the development of broodiness while maintaining a high rate of egg laying. It is concluded that two novel immunogens – recombinant-derived prolactin and vasoctive intestinal polypeptide – are effective in suppressing broody behaviour and are available for further development as practical veterinary products.

A number of major influences that will affect the formulation of poultry diets in the decades ahead are considered. Their impact will be mediated by the changing structure of the poultry industry where vertical integration, especially in the case of poultry meat, is a dominant feature. This forward looking review focuses on the impact of the health conscious consumer seeking foods with desiable characteristics, particularly in terms of the types and content of fatty acids; the need for increased antioxidant content of products to help enhance quality and shelf life; the potential for improved dietary composition of poultry feedstuffs to promote stock health; the use of enzymes to enhance nutrient availability and neutralize antinutritional factors in some feedstuffs; and the potential for new feed raw materials, including crops with genetically enhanced nutrient composition.

The present state of the art of biological/physiological research on poultry is described with special emphasis given to future direction. Public policy issues related to agricultural research are considered, including funding, and questions related to the balance between fundamental and applied research and to competitive grants are addressed. The view is espoused that there should be a balance between fundamental and applied research and that this research should have high scientific quality, with relevance to the problems of the industry, and impact on their solution. This is best achieved with a portfolio of research projects ranging from disciplinary to multidisciplinary. In the belief that there needs to be a scientific infrastructure that provides mutual support, and hence improved productivity, a plea is made for greater communication and tolerance among scientists in different fields.

The native Ogol fowl, which is a protected species under the Korean government (Protected Species Act No. 265), has not been accepted as a breed because of insufficient research. Its external features include black colouring of the beak, eyes, face, earlobes, wattle, tongue, shank, toes, feathers, skin and bones. Average weights of males and females at hatching are 32.0 and 29.6 g, respectively. Sexual maturity is reached at about 24 weeks of age, but growth continues to around 500 days. Age at first egg averages 167 days and production is about 100 eggs annually. The weight of the edible parts is 60–63% of the total body weight. Fertility rates reported range from 76.4% to 82.2%, while hatchability ranges from 74% to 79%. The paper includes haematological data together with heritability estimates for traits of economic importance.