If you ask poultry producers what damage viruses can do to their business, they will think mostly about major diseases such as Avian Influenza, Gumboro disease or respiratory infections such as Infectious Bronchitis virus

Initial findings show measurable effects on broiler leg strength from alterations in temperature and humidity during incubation.

MOST PEOPLE LOGICALLY assume that birds show improved performance with increased space, but it is the enhanced environment that should automatically arise from greater available space which is the crucially important factor.

Poultry housing conjures up scenes of large, enclosed buildings with birds at ultra-high densities but in Africa housing traditionally covers a much broader spectrum and is generally more bird-friendly, writes Dr T Mabbett