Production Performance and Estimation of Heritabilities Using Regression Method of Different Traits of Quail Under Intensive Conditions

Abstract

A study was conducted to know the production performance, regression parameters and heritability estimation of different traits of Japanese quail. A total of 72 quails were reared in intensive conditions at two generations. Number of egg produced by the quails were counted up to 10 weeks age and weekly body weight was measured up to 11 weeks of age. A total of 40 eggs from each generation was collected at 10 weeks of age to assess the external and internal characteristics of eggs. The heritability of traits of quail was estimated using regression method. The egg production per quail per day of parent and offspring generation from the age of 47 days to 70 days was 0.30±0.030 and 0.31±0.027 for parent and offspring generations, respectively. Average body weight in parent and offspring generation up to 11 weeks was 120.38±21.149g and 117.74±21.646g, respectively. Both the external and internal characteristics of eggs of quail were higher in parent generation than the offspring generation except egg production, yolk height, thick albumen height and Haugh unit. The regression co-efficient of different values of offspring generation was positive except shell weight and albumen weight but in parent generation the regression co-efficient of different values was negative except egg production and body weight. The fit statistics R² values of egg production and live weight was higher than other traits in both generation. The heritability value of egg production, body weight, egg width, shell weight, thin albumen height and shape index were positive and rest of the traits showed negative values. The results indicate that egg production, body weight and shape index can be used for selection index to improve quail production