Genetic parameters for egg production in meat quails through partial periods

Abstract

We estimated genetic and phenotypic parameters for egg production in meat-type quails aiming to propose an optimal age for selection through partial record egg production. Data of 3,503 female quails from two strains (namely, UFV1, with 1,811 and UFV2 with 1,692 females) were used. Egg production was assessed by the number of eggs recorded after 42 days of age and each partial period consisted on 35 days of egg production forward. Covariance components were estimated by using single and bivariate animal model, comprising each partial period of egg production and full egg production period (one year of egg laying). Regarding strain UFV1, heritability estimates ranges from 0.03 to 0.16, and for strain UFV2 0.20 to 0.25. The highest genetic correlation with full egg production was with second period (0.64) for strain UFV1 and with third period (0.47) for UFV2. Therefore, animal selection based on egg production until 112 days for the strain UFV1 and 147 days for the strain UFV2 provided increased genetic gain by reducing generation interval.

Magnesium in the water of Japanese quails kept under comfort zone and under thermal stress

“…The production performance of quails may be influenced by genetic variability in the breeding environment, poultry management, feed, and the water offered (Ribeiro et al, 2017;Akdemir et al, 2019), although increasing levels of magnesium did not interfere in the performance of the birds, which stayed within the standard for the species (Vercese et al, 2012;Guimarães et al, 2014). High concentrations of magnesium in the water can result in a bitter taste and low palatability, which can limit consumption.…”

Genetics and genomics of egg production traits in poultry species

“…Estimates of heritability for age at first egg were slightly higher, at 0.23 (Kaye et al, 2016), 0.21 (Khadiga et al, 2016), and 0.31 (Daikwo et al, 2014). The highest genetic correlation between partial and total egg production was estimated for egg production from 77 to 112 days (in UFV1) and from 112 to 147 days (in UFV2) strains (Ribeiro et al, 2017). In models that considered both additive and dominance effects for egg number up to 200 days of age, the estimate of narrow sense heritability was 0.32 and 0.16 in two lines of quail, with the respective estimates of proportions of dominance variance of 0.07 and 0.12 (Mielenz et al, 2006).…”

“…Quail refers to a large and diverse group of birds with breeds selected for eggs, meat, or dual-purpose production. Heritability of egg production in quail was estimated to be low (0.04-0.05; Silva et al, 2013;Kaye et al, 2016) or low to moderate if analyzed within periods of lay (0.03-0.16 for the UFV1 strain, and 0.2-0.25 for the UFV2 strain in Ribeiro et al (2017); 0.1-0.17 in Khadiga et al (2017); 0.04-0.09 in Karami et al (2017), and 0.11-0.14 in Lotfi et al (2012)). A higher estimate of heritability (0.37) was reported by Narinc et al (2014a).…”