Laying hen rearing systems have been the focus of scientific research for many years. Over the last few decades, new laying hen rearing systems have been rapidly introduced in an effort to harmonise poultry health and welfare with consumer, producer, industry and environmental demands. Given the above situation, the subject matter of this paper was a comparative review of the results obtained by different authors on the effect of rearing system on productive traits (egg production and mortality) and egg quality characteristics (egg weight, proportions of main egg parts, Haugh units, yolk colour and carotenoids) in laying hens. Although productive performance in alternative systems is often lower compared to conventional, intensive layers, eggs from alternative systems have been proven in numerous studies to have better nutritional properties. Moreover, research results indicate differences within rearing systems. In view of this, this overview of the literature on the use of different rearing systems in table egg production can serve as a tool in determining the future direction of research as well as an indicator of its practical application.

The aim of this review was to analyse the available literature on the effects of the use of microelements and their chelated forms on performance parameters of poultry as well as the cholesterol content in the tissues of broiler chickens. Published research has indicated that the significantly lower levels of organic minerals had a positive influence on the production performance of meat poultry and improved the production performance of laying hens and their heavy line hybrid parents. This has major impacts not only in terms of more efficient utilisation of chelated minerals in poultry diets, but also for less excretion of unused inorganic minerals into the environment, which is a major problem in many countries.

Alternative laying hen rearing systems have been rapidly introduced into poultry production in an effort to harmonise poultry health and welfare with consumer, producer, industry and environmental demands. They are an integral part of modern egg production. Husbandry systems for keeping laying hens have an impact on, inter alia, the chemical composition of eggs. The subject matter of this study is a comparative review of the results obtained by different authors on the effect of rearing system on chemical composition (proteins, lipids, cholesterol, vitamins and fatty acids content) and hygienic conditions of eggs from different rearing systems of laying hens. Eggs from these laying hen rearing systems have been proven by a large body of literature data to have better nutritional properties. Moreover, the results analysed also indicate differences within rearing systems. Rearing systems also have an influence on hygienic and microbiological quality of eggs. In view of the above, this comparable overview of the literature on the use of different rearing systems in table egg production can serve as a tool in determining the future direction of research as well as an indicator of its practical application.

Enzyme supplementation of poultry diets is nutritionally, economically and environmentally justified. Enzymes are used to increase the energy value of feed ingredients and enhance the utilisation of protein, fats, carbohydrates and phytin phosphorus from plant materials, leading to a lower excretion rate of undigested nutrients into the environment and, hence, reduced environmental pollution. This is especially important regarding proteases, as the correct digestion of nitrogenous compounds in feed materials is essential for reducing N excretion – a major pollutant worldwide. Numerous studies have shown no adverse effects of enzyme supplementation in broiler diets on body weight, mortality, health, feed intake, FCR, nutrient digestibility, meat quality and production costs. However, there is still a large amount of uncertainty regarding the use of enzymes.

Poultry production is an important livestock sector in Serbia. It accounts for about 12% of the total value of country's livestock production. Providing relatively cheap food of high quality it is nowadays of particular importance due to economic transition problems and the consequent economic crisis that the country has faced since the beginning of the 1990s. However, despite the sector's importance, poultry production has actually had no institutional support for many years, and the poultry population, as well as broiler meat and table eggs production, has significantly declined over the last two decades. The sector is characterized by insufficient level of concentration, specialization, vertical integration and efficiency. It is estimated that small-scale farms and backyard poultry production in Serbia account for more than half of poultry meat production and two thirds of egg production, with a significant seasonal impact on local markets. The following paper gives an overview of both commercial and small-scale poultry production in Serbia and examine the major economic constrains to and opportunities for poultry sector improvement needed in view of Serbia's prospective EU integration.

28 Cyg (V1624 Cyg, HD 191610, HR 7708; B2e, v sin i = 310 km s-1) has been the target of several observational projects, and in 1988 of a large international campaign. This attention was inspired by several photometric studies and especially by the 1985 nearly simultaneous optical and UV spectroscopic monitoring by Peters & Penrod (1988). They found that the line-profile variations were controlled by two frequencies, 1.45 c/d, and 7.43 c/d, which they identified with sectorial pulsations of modes l = 2, m = +2 and l = 10, m = +10. Rapid changes (0.5 to 1 hr) of the CIV wind profile were found; its equivalent width appeared to correlate with the phase of the l = 2 mode. Pavlovski & Ružić (1990) - who independently analysed Hvar 1985 UBV photometry of 28 Cyg - found periodic light variations with a double-wave light curve and a frequency of 1.54 c/d. However – because of the residual scatter around the mean light–curve – the authors tentatively suggested possible multiperiodicity (1.54, 1.33, and 0.95 c/d).

Since their discovery (by Father Secchi in 1866) until the end of sixties, Be stars were not a subject of any systematic studies of their possible light and colour variations. Already at that time, the astronomical literature contained ample evidence showing that a number of Be stars were light variables. However, almost all such findings resulted as by-products of studies of different or wider groups of objects. Feinstein (1968) was probably the first who pointed out explicitly that many Be stars are light variables. A pioneering study which was aimed at the detection of light variations of a large group of Be stars by means of differential photoelectric photometry was carried out by Haupt & Schroll (1974).

Period analysis of Be stars 28 Cyg and EW Lac has shown that their photometric variations are multiperiodic. Dominant periods have counterpart in low-order NRP modes identified in the independent line profile studies.