The work was performed in the Gene Pool LLC of the Moscow Region. The goal was to create meat quail adapted to the feeding and keeping conditions traditional for Russia. The initial genetic material was the pharaoh and Texas white breeds, which are stored in the bioresource farm collection. As a result of reproductive crosses of birds of these breeds, individuals with almost white plumage color and satisfactory productive indicators were isolated. To increase the efficiency of poultry breeding during the selection of quail of this group, complex polygenic constructions of quantitative characters were used, linking them with the adaptive ability of the bird at the stages of growth, development and productivity. This allowed to improve the meat form of physique for 11 generations of selection, increase the live weight of quail at the slaughter age by 26.1%, increase the yield of quail from the laying hen by 8.3%. Comparative tests showed that the cost of production from the created poultry was lower than that of the original breeds: Pharaoh by 32.9%; Texas White - 12.0%. The breed was called Radonezh (patent No. 6999), the bird is recommended for breeding in industrial, farming and individual subsidiary farms of the population.
The conserved gene pool of quails (breeds Pharaoh, Texas White) from the collection of “Genofond” LCC (Moscow Province) was used for the development of a new competitive breed of meat-type quails. Complex reproductive crossing with subsequent continuous selection for reproductive and productive performance during 11 generations resulted in new quail breed called “Radonezhskie”. The selection was performed with the use of traditional and innovative methods. The basis of bird selection was based on the selection of complex polygenic structures of quantitative traits in conjunction with their adaptive ability at the stages of growth, development, and productivity. The breed structurally consists of two types specialized on the productivity type. These two types consist of 12 genealogic lines and 117 families. During the process of selection live body weight (LBW) in the new breed was increased by 31.0%, feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased by 13.4%. Average LBW at 5 weeks of age is 290 g in males and 315 g in females; FCR 2.35; average mortality level 3.0%. At 6 weeks of age, these parameters are 330 g; 360 g; 2.95; 3.5%. The intense body growth in this fast-maturing breed occurs until 5-6 weeks of age, the onset of lay occurs at 7-8 weeks. Up to 5 generations could be obtained and evaluated within a year. The breed can, therefore, serve as a model for the genetic research in quails. The large-scale trials proved that the yield of poults per hen in the new breed is higher by 12.2%, LBW at slaughter age higher by 16.9% in compare to parental Texas White breed. High quality of products and lower production costs (by 13.4-27.2% in comparison to parental breeds Pharaoh and Texas White) determine the competitiveness of the new quail breed “Radonezhskie”.
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