Effect of Non-genetic Factors on Growth and Production Traits in Two Strains of Japanese Quails

Abstract

Background: The growth of birds is a function of both genetics and environment involving change leading into improvement in weight, shape, size, volume, etc. Study of important non-genetic factors is important in view of formulating future selection and breeding strategies in different poultry species. Methods: The present study was done on 1246 numbers of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) of two strains i.e., black and white distributed in three generations during 2020-21. The fixed effects of gender, season of hatch, strain and generations on various fortnightly body weights (FNBW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), relative growth rate (RGR) and some production traits were studied. Result: Significant (p≤0.01) differences in black and white strain as well as male and female quails for hatch weights were observed. The maximum ADG was during 4th to 6th wk whereas the RGR was highest during first fortnight (hatch-2nd wk). Significantly (p≤0.01) higher average egg weights (AEW) were observed in white quails. Part egg production (PEP) and AEWs were higher during summer and winter hatches, respectively. The present investigation elucidates the significance of different non-genetic factors on important growth and production performances for further selection in quails.