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

Authors

  • E. U. Okuda Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • M. Orunmoyi Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • I. A. Adeyinka Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • E. D. Eze Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • A. J. Shoyombo Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • U. Louis Department of Biology, School of Sciences, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria

Keywords:

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

Abstract

The present study wasconducted to estimate genetic parameters of egg production and reproductivetraits in Japanese quail. The response to selection for egg production aftertwo generations of selection was also estimated. A total of five hundred and twentysix Japanese quails, made up of three hundred and ninety seven females and onehundred 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) andBody weight at 6 weeks of age (BWT6) averaged 46.04, 8.73gm, 39.73days and163.28gm in generation 1 and the corresponding values for generation 2 are45.36, 9.06gm, 39.86days and 163.70gm. Percent fertility (Fert %) and percenthatchability (Hatch%) were recorded as, 80.43% and 77.99% for the firstgeneration and the corresponding values for the second generation were  82.05% and 67.14%.  Heritability estimates of production traitsranged from low to high (0.05 - 0.96). Egg number (EGN) had a negativecorrelation with Age at sexual maturity (ASM) (-1.21) but positively correlatedwith 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 generationzero to 45.36 at the second generation of selection. In conclusion, selectionin generation 0 based on egg number to 12 weeks of age improved the egg numberand BWT6 in generation 2.

References

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Published

2014-01-29

How to Cite

U. Okuda, E., Orunmoyi, M. ., A. Adeyinka, I., D. Eze, E., J. Shoyombo, A., & Louis, U. . (2014). Estimation of genetic parameters of egg production and reproductive traits in Japanese quails. Agricultural Advances, 3(1), 19-27. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/aa/article/view/728

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2014): January

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2014 E. U. Okuda, M. Orunmoyi, I. A. Adeyinka, E. D. Eze, A. J. Shoyombo, U. Louis

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