Genetic parameters of growth, body, and egg traits in Japanese quails (<i>Cotournix cotournix japonica</i>) reared in southern guinea savannah of Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study on Japanese quails was undertaken to estimate heritability values for growth, body and egg traits as well as genetic and phenotypic relationships between these traits in Japanese quails reared in the Southern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. Methodology and Results: One hundred and sixty nine (169) pedigree-hatched day-old Japanese quail chicks from 10 sires were used for this study. The data obtained were subjected to variance and correlation analyses as appropriate. Results showed that heritability estimates of body weight at various ages ranged from 0.10±0.02 to 0.82±0.14 while those of body weight gain were mostly moderate (0.19±0.05 -0.42±0.02). Linear body parameters had moderate to high (0.23±0.13 -0.49±0.16) heritability estimates except body length which was 0.08±0.15 heritable. Age at first egg (AFE), Body weight at first egg (BWFE) and weight of first egg (WFE) had heritability estimates of 0.48±0.17, 0.56±0.21 and 0.38±0.18, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between body weights at various ages and egg traits were mostly positive and significant (p<0.01) while that of linear body traits were all positive and mostly significant (p<0.01). Genetic relationships between body weights at various ages were all high and positive. AFE correlated negatively with BWFE while WFE had positive correlation with AFE and BWF. Conclusion and application of findings: The moderate to high heritability estimates obtained for body weight at ages 1-3 weeks indicates that response to selection for body weight at these ages could be rapid while the low heritability estimates of body weight at week 5 and 6 imply that response to selection for body weight at the 5th and 6th week could be slow. It is recommended that selection for body weight or growth rate in Japanese quails should be carried out at early stages of growth, preferably 2-3 weeks of age.

Genetic evaluation for growth traits in Japanese quail

“…Average daily Gain results agreed with Momoh et al (2014) who recorded increasing in ADG from hatching till 5 weeks then the mean of 5-6 week for Japanese quail ADG decreased. On the other hand, results obtained by Jones and Hughes (1978) who stated that the average daily gain in Japanese quail was at a maximum 4.8 g/day during the first period from hatch to 3 weeks of age while the gain was lower during the second period from 3 to 6 weeks of age.…”

Phenotypic and Genetic Parameter Estimates for Local Guinea Fowl Production and Some Other Traits

“…Estimates generally ranged from low (0.24) to medium (0.42) for males and low (0.18) to medium (0.34) in females. Heritability values for body weight gain obtained in this study are similar to those reported by [10] who obtained low to medium (0.19-0.42) in the Japanese quails. The low heritability estimates of body weight gain at months 4 and 8 in males and 6 and 8 imply that response to selection for body weight at these months could be slow.…”

“…Light was provided for 24 hours during brooding to avoid pilling and death. The temperature was reduced gradually at the rate of 3.50°C on weekly basis as brooding progressed [10]. The chick phase lasted for 4 weeks (28 days).…”

Effect of Selection of Japanese Quails for Rapid Growth on Immune Function

“…The results showed that realized heritability for four weeks body weight after selection for three generations was 0.72, 0.85 and 0.88 for first, second and third generations, respectively (Table 2) with an average estimate of 0.82. Realized heritability increased with generation and this may be due to greater response to selection The present realized heritability for four weeks body weight after selection for three generations are in agreement with the results of other researchers (Momoh et al 2014) But differed from the results reported by Marks, 1996 andNarayan et al, 1996.…”