Reverse transcription (RT) in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques were used to detect the sigma c-encoded gene of avian reovirus (ARV) in chicken tissue sections. The advantage of using in situ methods is to make more rapid and accurate diagnosis of ARV infections. The sensitivity of these two techniques were compared. Of the two techniques, the RT in situ PCR test was found to be more sensitive than ISH and provided the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of ARV infections.