House X Sex Interaction Effects on Body Weight and Linear Measurements of Coturnix Quails

Abstract

Abstract:A total number of two hundred day-old quails of mixed sexes were assessed for body weight, wing length, thigh length and breast girth from third week to the tenth week of age. Analyzed data showed that there was highly significant (P<0.01) house x sex interaction effects on live body weight. This means that body weight is house and sex dependent. Male and female birds reared inside the cage were superior in terms of body weight to those on deep litter. Generally, the rate of growth from third to seventh week was higher across both housing systems and sexes, but decreased after seventh week of age. In the same vein, There was highly significant (P<0.01) house x sex interaction effects on wing length, thigh length and breast girth of quail birds. It infers that these growth traits are house and sex dependent. Male and female birds reared inside the cage were superior in terms of body weight and other growth traits to those on deep litter. Since cage birds were restricted, they were able to utilize feeds given optimally leading to increase in muscle cells and body size. In essence, cage system of rearing produced more quail meat than deep litter, and should be considered for increased productivity and animal proteins supply.

Performances de croissance, de ponte et qualité de l’œuf chez la caille Japonaise (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

“…Le dimorphisme sexuel a également été observé pour les paramètres de taille et de conformation, liés notamment à la longueur (+0,39cm, P<0,05), l'envergure (+1,55cm, P<0,001) et la largeur thoracique (+0,23cm, P<0,01). Les valeurs obtenues dans notre étude sont approximativement similaires à celles trouvées par Gambo et al (2014) mais inférieures à celles rapportées par Olawumi (2015). Plus généralement, les valeurs faibles à modérées obtenues dans notre étude peuvent être attribuées au nombre réduit d'animaux.…”