Effects of Different Selection Methods Using Body Weight on Egg Yield Parameters in Japanese Quail

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different selection methods of parent lines on the body weight of Japanese quails. For this purpose, line M 55 was subjected to individual selection for body weight at 5 weeks of age, while a reciprocal recurrent selection method was applied to lines R 33 and S 55 . Selection lasted two generations. Body weight changes, age and weight at sexual maturity, egg weight, and egg production were investigated in the parent generations as well as in the selection lines. Body weight at 5 weeks of age of the parents of the M 55 , R 33 and S 55 lines were 299.0, 285.3, and 280.4 g in the first generation, and 314.8, 316.6, and 306.8±3.11 g in the second generation, respectively. The first generation of the M 55, R 33 , and S 55 lines presented egg production rates of 73.4, 77.6, and 75.8%, respectively, and egg weights of 12.7, 11.9, and 12.1g, respectively. The second generation of the M 55, R 33 , and S 55 lines presented egg production rates of 74.6, 77.8, and 78.3%, and egg weights of 12.72, 12.59, and 12.56 g, respectively. Both egg production and egg weights were significantly different between the first and the second generations (p>0.05). As a result, despite significant increase in body weight of the selection lines, no significant differences in egg production or egg weight were determined among generations. However, reciprocal selection lines of both generations presented higher egg yield than the individual selected line.

Selective Breeding of Japanese Quails for Improvement of Performance

“…Similarly improved body weight in Japanese quail was also observed in birds selected for higher body weight in many other studies as well (Baylan et al, 2009;Syed Hussein et al, 1995;Tozluca, 1993;Nestor et al, 1982). Anthony et al, (1996) observed that selected lines of Japanese quail produced heavier carcasses and more meat.…”

Genetic and physiological variation in two strains of Japanese quail

“…Therefore, the selection for increased live body weight in earlier studies performed by Ryu et al [ 29 ] and Rehfeldt et al [ 30 ] was a suitable way to enhance Japanese quail’s growth performance. Baylan et al [ 31 ] reported a similar finding; Anjum et al [ 32 ] observed a higher breast meat yield in birds selected for body weight. In another explanation, Choi et al [ 33 ] reported a positive correlation between DNA contents and muscle weights between quail lines.…”

Effects of Multi-Trait Selection on Phenotypic and Genetic Changes in Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>)

“…These reports were lower than our results. However, FCR was found by Kul et al (2006) 4.52–4.78, Baylan et al (2009) 3.89–4.36, and Şeker et al (2009) 4.15–5.07 in the same period. Thus, these reports were close to our results.…”

“…However, some researchers ( Aggrey et al , 2003 ; Adeogun and Adeoye 2004 ; Saatci et al , 2006 ; Aggrey 2009 ; Narinç et al , 2009 , 2013 ) reported lower values (91.63–168.12 g) than our study. By the way, Baylan et al (2009) determined considerable high BW at 5 weeks of age in quail range from 188.2 to 302.2 g. As shown in Table 1 , mean value of BW at 5 weeks of age in BHSS-2 was found significantly higher than means of other flocks ( P <0.01), 2.75% increase in BW trait occurred as a result of multi-trait selection. Baylan et al (2009) worked with three different lines and stated that there was a 3.32–9.12% increase in BW at 5 weeks of age with single trait selection.…”

“…These findings for BW in Japanese quail were in agreement with results reported by Narinç et al (2010) Table 1, mean value of BW at 5 weeks of age in BHSS-2 was found significantly higher than means of other flocks (P＜0.01), 2.75% increase in BW trait occurred as a result of multi-trait selection. Baylan et al (2009) worked with three different lines and stated that there was a 3.32-9.12% increase in BW at 5 weeks of age with single trait selection. It was thought that high phenotypic variation resulted from making selection only for single trait (body weight at 5 weeks of age).…”