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.

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.