1. Eggs were stored for two different times at varying temperatures. The effects on hatchability, chick weight at hatch and hatching time were examined in two broiler breeder lines from 33 to 58 weeks of age. 2. Short storage (1 to 3 d). Storage at 20 degrees C compared with 16.5 degrees C reduced hatchability of all eggs set. No effect was observed on hatchability of fertile eggs, hatching time or chick weight. 3. Long storage (9 to 11 d). Storage at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C decreased both hatchability of fertile eggs and chick weight at hatch. Incidence of early embryonic death increased and incubation time decreased at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C. 4. Chicks from morning eggs were heavier than those from afternoon eggs irrespective of storage conditions. 5. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) and chick weight varied with hen age irrespective of storage conditions. During long storage, hatching time varied with hen age independently of breeder line, storage temperature or egg laying time. 6. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) was higher in line A than in line B. Line B eggs hatched later and produced heavier chicks than line A eggs irrespective of storage time.

The skin of the emu Dromaius novaehollandiae is described in its entirety by light microscopy for the first time, therefore providing a basis for comparison with the integument of volant birds. The epidermal and dermal layers have a similar arrangement to other avian species. The concentration of lipid spheres in the basal layer of the epidermis is unique to emus. Although no differences in collagen density with depth of the dermis were observed, collagen bundle diameter is significantly smaller in the stratum superficiale compared to the stratum compactum (P = 0.001). The extensive stratum laxum, comprised predominantly of adipose tissue, may be an evolutionary adaptation to support the large feathers and also enhance insulation against ambient subzero temperatures. Males have a significantly thicker cellular epidermis (P = 0.024) and stratum compactum (P = 0.04) than females. In contrast, females have denser collagen (P = 0.04) within the stratum superficiale and stratum compactum.

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Micro-injections of biocytin were made into neurons in whole-mount preparations of Remak's nerve of the domestic fowl to visualise the morphology and projections of Remak's neurons. Remak's neurons were classified into four distinct morphological types. Remak type-I and -II neurons had a morphology resembling that of mammalian sympathetic neurons. Type-I neurons (found only in juxta-jejunal ganglia) had numerous primary dendritic processes (8-14) with large dendritic fields and extensive dendritic arborizations. Type-II neurons had 2-9 primary dendritic processes, large dendritic fields and sparse dendritic branching. These were found in similar numbers in juxta-rectal and juxta-jejunal ganglia. Remak type-III neurons were the most numerous cell type of juxta-rectal ganglia. They had small cell somata and short dendritic processes that branched infrequently. Remak type-IV neurons (found only in juxta-jejunal ganglia) had a morphology resembling that of invertebrate neurons in that they possessed a prominent long tapering axon from which most of the numerous long dendritic processes emerged. In juxta-jejunal ganglia, all type-IV and most type-I, -II and -III neurons projected orally, whereas axons of juxta-rectal neurons (types II and III) projected either orally or aborally, or projected directly into a lateral nerve bundle supplying the gut. These regional differences in neuron types and axonal projections suggest that different neural circuits exist between Remak's nerve and the small and large intestine.