Feathering rate impact on growth and slaughter traits of Japanese quail

Abstract

A total of 1180 1-day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) chicks were used to investigate the effect of feathering rates on growth and slaughter traits. Feathering rates were classified based on the results of stepwise regression using numbers and lengths of both primaries and secondaries and tail length at 7 and 10 days of age as predictors. At 7 and 10 days old, number of primary feathers had phenotypically positive low correlations (rps) with body weight (BW), whereas number of secondaries had positive medium rps with BW at different ages. Lengths of primary, secondary and tail feathers had highly positive rps with BW traits at different ages. Results of stepwise multiple regressions indicated that BW at 14, 21 and 28 days of age can be predicted using lengths of secondary and tail feathers at 10 days old, number of secondaries at 7 days old and length of secondaries at 7 days old, respectively. Body weight at 35 days of age can be predicted using number of primaries, lengths of secondaries and tail at 10 days of age and number of secondaries at 7 days of age. Higher BWs were obtained in the fast-feathering class from 21 up to 35 days of age than in other groups, whereas the slow-feathering class had the lowest BW. Significant class differences were found for carcass weight, feather weight and dressing% favouring the fast- over the slow-feathering class. Therefore, early feathering rates improved BW at later ages and slaughter traits in Japanese quail.

Effects of Selection for Increasing Early Growth Rate on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Japanese Quail

“…Quails of the selected line significantly had higher carcass %, dressing %, weights of giblets, heart, gizzard and liver (+3.65%, +2.59, 23.79, 68.42, 13.21 and 23.47% respectively) than the CL as shown in Table 4. Similar trend of significant line effect on carcass% was reported by Mahmoud et al (2018). However, Khaldari et al (2010) reported insignificant differences due to lines for carcass%.…”

“…Selection for high BW42 and GR1-42 significantly improved carcass%, dressing% and boneless meat % of Japanese quail, also the HGR1-42 line had higher carcass%, dressing% and BLM% than other lines as reported by Mahmoud (2006). Mahmoud et al (2018) found significant differences due to lines for dressing%.…”

Influence of Improved Microclimate Conditions on Growth and Physiological Performance of Two Japanese Quail Lines

“…Furthermore, Taskin et al [ 36 ] found that across selection generations, sex was a substantial source of variance for BW at all ages. On the contrary, Mahmoud et al [ 37 ] found an insignificant sex effect on BW at all ages. In addition, treated quails showed significantly faster GR14–21 and GR14–42 than the untreated group; Zhu et al [ 25 ] and Wei et al [ 26 ] reported similar trends in ducks and chickens.…”

Feather growth, bodyweight and body temperature in broiler lines with different feathering rates

“…In addition, interest in the broiler industry has led to scientific characterization of the K gene, resulting in the discovery of its pleiotropic effects. Many studies documented a preference for early feathering in broilers because it was associated with an increased rate of growth because of more effective protection against chilling, and reduced feather picking and cannibalism (Fotsa et al, 2001;Mahmoud et al, 2018). If the birds have better insulation against heat loss (Yalcin et al, 1997), more energy is available for growth, because less is used to maintain body temperature (Dunnington & Siegel, 1985;Katanbaf et al, 1989).…”