Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that has an influence on immune responses in birds. Both low and high vitamin A intakes result in impaired immune responses. Low dietary vitamin A has been shown to cause reduced antibody production, defective T-cell responses and reduced phagocytosis, and decreased resistance to infection by bacterial and viral pathogens and protozoan enteropathogens. Enhanced immune responses can be elicited by high, but not excessive, dosages of vitamin A. Optimum immune responses in growing chicks and turkeys were obtained with vitamin A intakes that were 3–10 fold higher than NRC recommended levels.

The ideal protein and effective energy requirements of the growing Pearl Grey guinea fowl up to 20 weeks of age were determined according to the Edinburgh model. Guinea fowl have their highest protein requirements between 5 and 10 weeks of age. Protein requirements of females are lower than those of males up to 10 weeks of age, after which the situation is reversed. Energy requirements from 10 weeks of age are also higher for females than for males.

A serological survey of brucellosis in traditionally managed local domestic fowl was carried out using the microtitre serum agglutination test with Brucella abortus antigen. Sixty two of 172 domestic fowl sampled (30%) were positive. Because most traditionally managed animals are not segregated, this indicates a potential source of infection to other livestock. Most of the birds identified as positive had titres of 1:40. The public health importance of the disease is highlighted and control measures suggested.

In Bangladesh indigenous poultry have been kept by rural communities for many generations. This custom is likely to continue and remain popular in rural areas. The rural poultry system relies on minimal input of resources. Although secondary to other agricultural activities, rural poultry rearing plays an important role in providing the rural population with a substantial income and high quality protein. Almost every rural family keeps small flocks of indigenous domestic fowl and ducks under a backyard management system. Although indigenous poultry are poor producers of eggs and meat, they are hardy and thrive well in the harsh rural environment and some varieties have a superior genetic constitution which has not been fully explored. Poultry sheds in rural areas are made of local materials, birds are fed with household wastes, and most of their time is spent in scavenging. There is no systematic breeding programme and close inbreeding occurs among indigenous stocks. Shortage of feed and a high incidence of diseases are the main constraints to rural poultry development. In spite of such constraints, poultry production in the country will continue to grow in response to an increasing demand for eggs and poultry meat. In this regard the wider availability of reliable advice would be of enormous benefit.

Since 1969 the Hungarian Upgraded and Gray Landes breeds of geese have been improved at the Goose Breeding Research Station of Gödöllö University of Agricultural Sciences at Babatpuszta. An overview of 15 years history of these two breeds shows an average annual increase in egg production of almost one egg and average annual improvements of 1% in fertility and one day old gosliings per year. These improvements are attributed to the results of selection carried out between 1978 and 1992.

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.