Study on the growth and production performance of four different lines and the reciprocal crosses of japanese quail

P. Subramaniam, S.C. Edwin and K. Viswanathan
Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal

An experiment was conducted to study the growth and production performance of four different lines (L1, L2, L3 and L4) of Japanese quail maintained in the Poultry Research Farm, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, for a period of 22 weeks from day-old to 22 weeks of age and the growth performance of their reciprocal crosses from day-old to 5 weeks of age. During the growth period, the lines L1 and L2 were superior (P<0.01) in body weight and feed efficiency among the four lines at 5 th week of age. However, L4 had consumed significantly (P<0.01) lesser feed than other lines. The carcass characteristics such as ready-to-cook yield and giblets yield showed significant difference (P<0.05). Better carcass yields were observed in L1, L2 and L3 lines compared to L4.

he egg production parameters such as age at sexual maturity, hen-day and hen-housed egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency and livability of different lines did not differ significantly. However, the mean egg weight of different lines showed a significant difference (P<0.05) from 7 to 10 and 19 to 22 weeks of age but not during the period from 11 to 18 weeks of age. The growth performance of reciprocal crosses of the four lines showed a significant difference (P<0.01) in body weight and cumulative feed consumption at all stages from day-old to five weeks of age. The feed conversion ratio revealed significant difference (P<0.01) among reciprocal crosses up to four weeks of age but not at the end of 5 th week. No significant difference was noticed in the livability of the reciprocal crosses. The carcass characteristics viz. ready-to-cook yield and percent liver weight were significantly differed (P<0.01) among the reciprocal crosses. The meat production performance was significantly (P<0.01) better in L1 and L2, whereas the egg production performance was better in L4. The fifth week body weight of reciprocal crosses viz. L2xL3 (251.0g), L3xL1 (243.0g), L1xL2 (239.6g) and L1xL3 (237.6g) were significantly higher (P<0.01) when compared to other reciprocal crosses and exhibited the hybrid vigor

Source : IPSACON-2005

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