Estimation of genetic parameters of egg production and reproductive traits in Japanese quails

The present study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters of egg production and reproductive traits in Japanese quail. The response to selection for egg production after two generations of selection was also estimated. A total of five hundred and twenty six Japanese quails, made up of three hundred and ninety seven females and one hundred and twenty seven males were used to conduct the study. Egg number (EGN), Egg weight at 12 weeks of age (EWT12), Age at sexual maturity (ASM) and Body weight at 6 weeks of age (BWT6) averaged 46.04, 8.73gm, 39.73days and 163.28gm in generation 1 and the corresponding values for generation 2 are 45.36, 9.06gm, 39.86days and 163.70gm. Percent fertility (Fert %) and percent hatchability (Hatch%) were recorded as, 80.43% and 77.99% for the first generation and the corresponding values for the second generation were 82.05% and 67.14%. Heritability estimates of production traits ranged from low to high (0.05 - 0.96). Egg number (EGN) had a negative correlation with Age at sexual maturity (ASM) (-1.21) but positively correlated with Body weight (BWT) (0.14). Response to selection for egg number was 3.91. Egg number increased, highly significantly (P<0.01) from 36.55 at generation zero to 45.36 at the second generation of selection. In conclusion, selection in generation 0 based on egg number to 12 weeks of age improved the egg number and BWT6 in generation 2.

کلیدواژه ها:

Japanese quails ، ، Reproductive traits ، Growth traits ، ، Egg production traits ، ، Hatchability