A new skin condition of broilers which results in the downgrading of up to 15-30% of broiler carcases/week is described. Unsightly brown-black coloured erosions and ulcers occur on the breast, hock and foot skin. Histopathological examination of these revealed acute inflammation with necrosis of the epidermis and in more severe cases, the upper dermis. A study of the condition has shown a strong association between the appearance of lesions and poor litter conditions and that birds as young as 9 days may be affected. It is suggested that the condition is a contact dermatitis. A study of the development of lesions in one flock is also described.

In a longitudinal survey of 11 broiler flocks, rotavirus excretion was detected by direct electron microscopic examination of faeces in 10. In most of these flocks, rotavirus excretion was first detected during the third week of life. In some flocks, infection with 2 antigenically distinct serogroups of rotavirus was demonstrated. In a more detailed survey of a 34,000 bird broiler crop, rotavirus excretion was detected intermittently from 9-50 days. Infection with 4 different RNA electropherotypes of rotavirus occurred in waves with each wave of infection lasting about 1 week. Analysis of representatives of the 4 different electropherotypes by cross-immunofluorescence indicated that each electropherotype represented an antigenically distinct serogroup. Two of these serogroups were represented by the previously characterised Ch 1 and 132 chicken rotavirus isolates. The other 2 serogroups have not been previously recognised.

The incidence of Campylobacter spp. in broiler chickens in Northern Ireland was determined by examining three groups of birds. These included: (1)12 flocks of broilers monitored at regular intervals from their introduction into commercial units until the time of slaughter; (2) 21 batches of unsolicited birds submitted to the laboratory for postmortem examination; and (3) 13 batches of chicks under 36 hours old. Most birds became infected but Campylobacter spp. were not usually isolated during the first 2 weeks of life. C. jejuni biotype 1 was the predominant species isolated although C. coli and an atypical strain were also isolated. At least five distinct serotypes were present (Penner sero-types 1,3,5,9 and 11) of which serotypes 1 and 9 were most common. In birds older than 2 weeks of age, an association was sometimes observed between the sudden occurrence of wet litter and the presence of C. jejuni in all or the majority of the birds sampled. Infection of broilers under 2 weeks of age was accompanied by mortality.