Evaluation of growth performance and egg quality traits in two strains of Japanese quails (<i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>) in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

A 14 week study was conducted at the teaching and research farm, Department of Animal Science A.B.U Zaria, using 240 two weeks old Japanese quails belonging to two strains (black strain n=120 and brown strain n=120). The aim was to evaluate the effect of strain on the growth performance and egg quality traits of the Japanese quails kept under similar nutritional environment. 90 female quails for each strain were mated to 30 males at a mating ration of 1 male to 3 females. Daily egg collection  commenced as from 6 weeks and terminated at week 14. The first three eggs dropped by each quail hen during 80% egg  production were used for egg quality analysis (internal and external quality). Parameters considered included body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and Mortality as it occurred. External and internal egg quality traits were also considered. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the R Core Team. Result obtained indicated variations at all ages (week 2, 6, 10 and 14) in body weight, weight gain and mortality in favor of black strain. Similarly, most of the egg quality traits studied was better in the black than in the brown strain. It was concluded that the two distinctly different strains of quail have different rates of growth and egg quality  characteristics indicating the possibility of further improvement in their growth and egg laying performance.

Keywords: Breeder quail; egg quality traits; growth, traits