Using archaeological evidence for chicken domestication from China, Asia and Europe, as well as palaeoclimatic evidence from China, it is concluded that chickens were first domesticated from the red junglefowl Gallus gallus in Southeast Asia well before the sixth millennium BC and taken north to become established in China by c. 6000 BC, whence they were later introduced to Japan via Korea during the Yayoi Period (c. 300 BC-300 AD). Domestication occurred in India much later (c. 2000 BC?), either independently or as a diffusion from Southeast Asia. Although the Iron Age was the main period for dispersion of chickens throughout Europe, they were already present in some areas during the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. It is proposed that the earliest European material may be derived from China via Russia. Because the key is likely to lie in central areas of the USSR, the finding of positive or negative evidence for the theory will depend on the interest of archaeologists working in the Soviet Union. Their collaboration is invited.

This paper attempts to identify and evaluate the contributions of genetics to the continuing rise in productivity that has been evident over the past 40 years or more. The importance of the fowl in establishing the validity of Mendel's laws of inheritance is shown, together with the findings that made the bird the species of choice for much of the early work on animal genetics. The early development of the egg production industry is outlined and the impetus given to this new commercial venture by the application of genetic principles, described. The poultry meat sector is also reviewed. The role of the geneticist in increasing productivity in terms of numbers of eggs laid, meat produced and quantities of food required to produce both products is discussed and quantitative data presented. The prospects for further improvements in productivity are assessed, particularly in the context of climatic and social environmental factors. The prospective role of genetic engineering is also considered.

Comparison of the efficiencies of meat production between chickens, turkeys and ducks at 7 weeks of age indicates that although the turkey broiler is most efficient in feed utilization, the high cost of poult production neutralizes this advantage. Thus, chicken broiler edible meat is cheaper to produce by =16 and 25% than meat from turkeys and ducks, respectively. The favourable feed utilization of the turkey broiler is partly due to the concave growth curve (with reduced feed consumption for maintenance) and primarily due to the markedly lower body fat concentration, which in turkeys is about six to ten times lower than in chickens and ducks, respectively. The low body fat level of turkey, together with the lowest cost of edible meat protein, may appeal to consumers who wish to reduce the amount of animal fat in their diets. This advantage of low fat concentration in the turkey broiler is sharply reduced at 16–24 weeks of age. There is therefore justification to examine the possibility of marketing oven-ready turkey broilers, or at least female turkey broilers, at 7–10 weeks of age.

An account of the origin of turkeys is presented. The development of the turkey, including comparisons with other poultry species, is covered in a review of research published on turkey genetics and breeding from the 1920s to 1987. The subject has been divided into the following topics: gene mutations, cytogenetics, biochemical assessments, physiological assessments and parthenogenesis, strain and variety comparisons for body characteristics, body conformation, body weight, efficiency of feed utilization, egg production, semen production, sexual maturity, fertility, hatchability, egg weight, yield of edible meat, and phenotypic deformities. The review is in two parts. Part I, which follows, covers origin and development while Part II, covering economics and selection, will appear in the next issue, volume 45:2 (July, 1989)

The identification and maximization of the use of superior sires has been prompted by great improvements in the growth rate and meat yield of meat-type poultry. This paper highlights a few areas of recent research on spermatozoal production and function and on management procedures concerned with selecting and maximizing the use of elite sires. Methods of semen evaluation, improved methods of storing and spreading semen, factors affecting the inherent quality of spermatozoa, retention of membrane integrity of spermatozoa in vitro and their survival in the oviduct are reviewed.

Pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, flumethrin, deltamethrin)are very effective against Dermanyssid mites (northern fowl mites, red mites). Permethrin sprays are also effective against lice, fleas and other pests like the lesser mealworm and flies. In some experiments, however, medication with established drugs has given more favourable results. In birds, avermectins (abarmectin and ivermectin)have shown a similar broad spectrum of activity as in mammals. Nematode infections in poultry can be controlled by both drugs, but their use in intensive production is unlikely. However, ivermectin was efficacious against mange mites and respiratory mites in budgerigars and canaries and is likely to be used in the therapy of pet birds. Maduramicin is a new ionophorous anticoccidial for use in broiler chickens. Satisfactory control has been observed against isolates of Eimeria tolerant (partly resistant)to other ionophorous antibiotics. Toltrazuril, a non-ionophorous anticoccidial, has been used for therapy of clinical coccidiosis in a variety of bird species and for the prophylaxis of coccidiosis in broilers. It may be given in the drinking water as a n intermittent treatment. Diclazuril, an anticoccidial for use in broiler diets, is currently under investigation. Observations have shown control of Eimeria isolates tolerant to ionophorous drugs and efficacy against all major Eimeria spp. in the chicken. The new generation of insecticides, acaricides, nematocides and anticoccidials is a welcome addition to current control programmes.

The genetics of the economic traits of the turkey are covered in a review of research up to 1988. The review is divided into topics with strain and variety comparisons being described for body weight, conformation, sexual maturity, semen production, broodiness, egg number, fertility, hatchability, viability, egg weight, feed efficiency, meat yield and phenotypic deformities. Where selection has been practised, the responses are noted. Selected heritabilities are presented, and each topic is summarized.

The emergence of viral strains of increased virulence has been associated with increased Marek's disease losses in certain vaccinated flocks. Methods are described for the isolation and typing of these strains, and for their control by means of improved vaccines.

During the past 15 years poultry production, which for many centuries has been a backyard venture in the countries of southern Asia, has shown faster growth than other sectors of the livestock industry. As an example, India – which has emerged as a leading country in terms of the development of its poultry industry – has reached almost total self-sufficiency in its poultry sector inputs. Over these 15 years, annual egg production in India has trebled to 15 225 million while broiler production has increased 24-fold to 95 million. By the year 2000, annual egg production is expected to reach 30 000 million and broiler production, 400 million, a scale of output that will require a national laying flock of 135 million, 450 million broiler chicks and 7.5 million tonnes of poultry feed. In addition to stimulating the expansion of poultry production, many countries in the region have embarked upon ambitious programmes aimed at improving small-scale poultry keeping as a means of helping to bring socio-economic benefits to rural communities. In much of southern Asia there are major obstacles to the rapid development of poultry production which include the high cost of feed, the lack of suitable health care facilities and frequently the absence of efficient marketing structures. In spite of such constraints, poultry production in the region will continue to grow in response to an increasing demand for eggs and poultry meat.