The present study aimed to measure the direct response of selection for high egg weight of the first 10 eggs laid at the beginning of egg production period in Japanese quail through three generations of selection. The egg weight of the first 10 eggs (EW 10 ) as direct response increased in the selected line when compared with control line from 10.43 g in the base generation to 12.52 g in the second generation after selection with rate of 0.69 g per generation. The Age at Sexual Maturity (ASM) trait increased in the selected line from 49.47 days in the base generation to 52.63 days in the second generation after selection for EW 10 with rate of 1.05 days per generation. The Body Weight at Sexual Maturity (BWSM) trait increased, after selection in the selected line from 240.09 g in the base generation to 251.45 and 243.67 g in the first and second generation, respectively. Egg number during the first 45 days of production was significantly higher in selected line than the control line throughout the 3 generations of selection. The overall mean of egg weight through the first 45 days of laying period were11.27, 12.01 and 12.29 g for the base, 1st and 2nd generation while it was 11.51 and 12.13 g for control and selected lines, respectively, with a significant difference among generations and between line. Average feed consumption was 31.50 and 29.03 g/female/day for the control and selected line, respectively. The females in selected line had better Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) than the control females. Selection for EW 10 in Japanese quail improved egg number, egg weight and FCR during the first 45 days of laying.

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