Further information about the journal including links to the online sample copy and contents pages can be found on the journal homepage.

General
Original, unpublished papers reporting experiments, observations, modelling and methodological approaches that advance knowledge of poultry science will be considered for publication. Manuscripts must conform to these instructions and be written in English, using UK spelling conventions. They must be double-spaced, leaving a margin of at least 40 mm on the left-hand side. Pages of text and references should be numbered at the top right hand corner.

All submissions should be made online at British Poultry Science's Manuscript Central site to facilitate rapid accessibility of your work to readers. New users should first create an account. Once a user is logged onto the site submissions should be made via the Author Centre. Acceptance of papers implies that they will normally become copyright of British Poultry Science Limited. There are no page charges for publication in British Poultry Science. For any queries relating to Manuscript Central please email bps@tandf.co.uk.

Format
The text should be preceded by a page giving the full title of the paper, the surname(s) and initials of the author(s), the name and address ) of the institution at which the work was performed, a short version of the title of five words or less and the full postal address of the corresponding author, (including fax, telephone numbers and email address). Most manuscripts will be divisible into conventional form, but if another seems more appropriate the authors should consult the Editor. The conventional form comprises the following sections.

Abstract. A series of numbered sentences or short paragraphs briefly describing the purpose, approach, results and conclusions of the work, not to exceed 5% of the length of the following text (excluding references).

Introduction. A description of background material to explain why the work was undertaken or culminating in a hypothesis. The object of the study should be clearly stated. Only representative, relevant references should be quoted.

Materials and Methods. A description of the broad outline of the approach taken and descriptions of the methods used in sufficient detail to allow the work to be repeated.

Results. A description of the findings with the aid of tables and figures.

Discussion. A consideration of the findings in relation to other published information and any initial hypothesis. The final paragraph(s) should present conclusions, but a separate heading is not required.

Acknowledgements. Brief formal acknowledgements may be included if necessary.

References. References in the text should be restricted to those with a direct bearing upon the findings and should be given thus: Kare and Ficken (1963) or (Kare and Ficken, 1963). A reference by three or more authors should be identified in the text only by the first author followed by et al. and the date. Where several references are quoted consecutively in the text the order should be chronological, or, within a year, alphabetical (by first author or, if necessary, by first and second author(s). Where references are made to several papers by the same authors) in the same year, the date should be followed by a,b,c, etc. References should be listed alphabetically by author at the end of the manuscript. For each first author, publications should be grouped into (1) single author papers, (2) two author papers, subdivided into groups alphabetically by second author and (3) three or more author papers. Within each group and subgroup publications should be ordered chronologically. Journal titles should be cited in full, while for books and monographs the place of publication should precede the publisher's name.

HODGETTS, B. (1981) Dealing with dirty hatching eggs. MAFF Information for Flock Farms and Hatcheries: Hatch Handout, No.17.

JACOB, J. & ZISWILER, V. (1982) The uropygial gland, in: FARNER, D.S., KING, S.R. & PARKS, K.C. (Eds) Avian Biology, Vol. 6, pp. 199-324 (New York, Academic Press).

JOHNSON, R., THOMAS, F., PYM, R. & FAIRCLOUGH, R. (1986) The effect of long term genetic selection on growth hormone secretion and protein turnover in meat-type chickens. Proceedings of the 7th European Poultry Conference, Paris, pp. 975-979.

LEESON, S. & SUMMERS, J.D. (1980) Production and carcass characteristics of the broiler chicken. Poultry Science, 59: 786-798.

SAPOLSKY, R.M., KREY, L.C. & MCEWAN, B.S. (1984) Stress down-regulates corticosterone receptor in a site-specific manner in the brain. Endocrinology, 114: 287-292.

SALEH, F.I.M. (1984) Nutritional factors in relation to the stress of hot climates on the fowl. Ph. D. Thesis, University of London.

An author is wholly responsible for the accuracy of the references.

Aids to presentation
Contributors should consult recent issues of British Poultry Science for general presentation and remember that readers might require to translate the paper into another language. Complicated language and jargon will invite editorial alteration. In each specialist area of poultry science authors should approach the subject using the nomenclature and general standards of primary British journals in the field of study (Journal of Physiology, Biochemical Journal, British Journal of Nutrition, Journal of Applied Bacteriology, Physics in Medicine & Biology, Heredity, Animal Behaviour).
Nomenclature: chemical nomenclature should follow the conventions of the Biochemical Society (Biochemical Journal, 145: 13-14, 1975). Biochemical nomenclature should follow the recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Commission (Biochemical Journal, 169: 11-16, 1978). Enzymes should be defined initially by their full recommended names and EC numbers (Enzyme Nomenclature (1973). Amsterdam, Elsevier) and thereafter be referred to by accepted short names. Other specialised nomenclature should follow recent recommendations of a primary journal in the field. Note that vitamins must be identified as advised by IUNS (Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews Series, Series A, 48: 831-835, 1978).

Units. The International System (SI) must be used - Baron, D.N. (1977) Units, Symbols and Abbreviations. (London, The Royal Society for Medicine). Common fundamental units are: metre (m), litre (l), kilogram (kg), Joule (J - the calorie is not acceptable, 1 cal = 4.184 J), mole (mol), degree Celsius (ºC) (kelvin (K) may also be used), lux (lx), Newton (N), Pascal (Pa). The following prefixes are used to indicate order of magnitude: n (10-9), µ (10-6), m (10-3), k (103), M (106), G (109). Authors in unusual specialities should check carefully for conformity with the SI system.

Abbreviations. Very commonly used abbreviations in specific areas (for example, ATP) may be used without explanation. Abbreviations permitted in other areas that may not be familiar in poultry science (for example, releasing hormones) should be explained. Familiar abbreviations in poultry science, not necessarily acknowledged elsewhere, (for example, MF, BMR) may be used without explanation. If in doubt, explain. Units should appear in Roman type, symbols in italic and other abbreviations in Roman capitals without stops. Abbreviations are generally used in the singular and authors should avoid proliferations of idiosyncratic abbreviations and codings.

Concentrations, compositions, proportions. Chemical solutions should be expressed in molarities (M), where possible. In other cases w/v measures based on litres should be used. For solvent mixtures, ratios (for example: 1 chloroform: 2 methanol (v:v)) will be allowed. For compositions (for example, diets profiles), w/v expressions based on a relevant order of magnitude (g, kg) should be used. Vitamins should be expressed as their chemical names and concentrations must be expressed on a mass basis, not in IU. Percentages are not to be used for any of these measures.

Determinations and assays. All such methods must be accompanied by proof of, or a reference establishing, validity. The validity of any departures from an established method must be established. For binding assays (for example, radioimmunoassays) the guidelines of the Journal of Endocrinology (1980), 84: 1-8 must be used. In addition to a reference, a statement concerning sensitivity, accuracy and specificity must be included.

Nomenclature for type of bird. Chicks: Up to 2 weeks of age. (Broiler) chickens: Meat type strains up to 8 weeks (or time of slaughter). Growers: Layer type strains up to 12 weeks. Pullets: Female layer type strains from 12 weeks to sexual maturity. Hens: Mature females. Cockerels: Mature males. Note: Males between 12 weeks and maturity should simply be described as immature males.

Miscellaneous expressions. Indices of digestibility, protein quality (for example, Biological Value), proportional retention or availability (for example, nitrogen retention, net availability of ME) should be expressed as decimal coefficients or in identifying units (not as percentages). Egg production should be expressed as g egg/hen d or eggs produced/hen d (not as percentage production). Efficiency of food utilisation may be used as a general term but in specific reference to values, the ratio (for example, gain:food ratio) is required. Production measure:food ratios are preferred to their reciprocals.

Ethical standards. Papers describing experiments which demonstrate a lack of concern for current ethical and welfare standards will not be accepted for publication. The decision of the Editorial Board in this respect will be final.

Statistical standards. The method of analysis must be fully described and reflect the experimental design, both treatments and different sources of variation. The latter are identified by the experimental units to which treatments are applied. For example variation may be between pens or birds, or within birds when each bird receives several treatments. In analysis of variance these determine the appropriate residual mean squares against which treatment effects should be assessed. Special techniques may be necessary for correlated data from repeated sampling of individuals. Data transformation or analysis using Generalised Linear Models is more appropriate where data show non-constant variance, which sometimes arises from a restricted scale of measurement.

Presented results should include numbers of observations for each treatment combination. Parameters, such as means, differences between means, slopes etc., should be accompanied by estimates of variation. For unbalanced designs a residual standard deviation may be useful. Where transformations are used estimates of variation on the transformed scale are needed and means of transformed values should be derivable from those presented. For tests of hypotheses, distributions, degrees of freedom and values of test statistics should be presented along with significant probabilities. Experimental treatments with quantitative levels are more succinctly and appropriately described by contrasts of means (often polynomials) than by multiple range tests, following an overall test of the effect of the treatment. The conclusions should consider the possible influence of any confounded treatments on the response.

Tables
Tables should be strictly limited in number and authors should consider whether a point can be made without a Table, by a description and a few values in the text. Each Table must be presented on a separate page, be numbered (except if it is the only Table) and be described by a brief informative title. Specific points of detail should be made in numbered footnotes. The approximate position of Tables in the text should be indicated. Attention should be paid to the way Tables fit on the Journal page. For small Tables, occupying half a page or less, the long axis should run across the page. For larger Tables the long axis should generally run down the page. Very large Tables may cause difficulties in reproduction and should be avoided. Tables must not be submitted photoreduced. Supplementary data may be stored in a data banking system and a reference included to register this fact.

Figures
Figures should only be included if they impart information not given in Tables. Where values may be of intrinsic interest a Table is preferable. Measures of variance are as important in Figures as in Tables. Lines must be bold and all symbols or hatching clear; symbols and points should be neat, well-defined (e.g. open or closed squares, circles or triangles) and unambiguous. Diagrams and line drawings should be clear- and bold- - in black, on white. Photographic images should be of high resolution, suitable for reproduction. All Figures should be submitted larger than they are expected to appear in the Journal. Approximate positions in the text should be indicated. Explanatory captions should be brief but sufficient and typed where prompted on file upload.

Photographs intended for half-tone reproduction should be high resolution and must be of high clarity and definition - preferably 300DPI for black and white reproduction and 600DPI for full colour reproduction. Where appropriate a scale marker should be included and top and bottom indicated. They should be identified as images/photographs, and numbered separately from figures. Details of numbering, identification and legends are as required for figures. Colour photographs will be accepted only if the full cost is borne by the authors.

Procedures
Authors will be emailed a PDF proof, and a copyright transfer form. One corrected proof should be sent without delay to the Editor. The copyright transfer form should be returned to the Publisher. Any special requirements about copyright should be made known by writing to the editor. The copyright and translation rights of papers become the property British Poultry Science Limited.

Matters relating to subscriptions, offprints and advertising should be addressed to the Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RN, UK.

Free article access: Corresponding authors can receive 50 free reprints, free online access to their article through our website (www.informaworld.com) and a complimentary copy of the issue containing their article. Complimentary reprints are available through Rightslink® and additional reprints can be ordered through Rightslink® when proofs are received. If you have any queries, please contact our reprints department at reprints@tandf.co.uk

Copyright
It is a condition of publication that authors assign copyright or license the publication rights in their articles, including abstracts, to British Poultry Science Ltd. This enables us to ensure full copyright protection and to disseminate the article, and of course the Journal, to the widest possible readership in print and electronic formats as appropriate. Authors retain many rights under the Taylor & Francis rights policies, which can be found at www.informaworld.com/authors_journals_copyright_position. Authors are themselves responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyright material from other sources.

Exceptions are made for authors of Crown or US Government employees whose policies require that copyright cannot be transferred to other parties. We ask that a signed statement to this effect is submitted when returning proofs for accepted papers.

Please note that Taylor & Francis are signatories of, and respect the spirit of, the STM Agreement regarding the free sharing and dissemination of scholarly information.

Disclaimer
The Editors of British Poultry Science take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of material published. However, all statements, conclusions and opinions expressed in it are those of the authors and contributors; the Editors, Board of Management and the Publishers accept no responsibility or liability for them.