STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF THE GENETIC GROUP, EGG WEIGHT, AND THEIR INTERACTION ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF QUAIL BIRDS DURING THE GROWTH STAGE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the genetic groups (three of local quails different with feather color, which are white, black and brown) and the egg weight (three classes of eggs are heavy, medium and light) and the interaction between them on productive performance during the growth phase (0-6 weeks of age). Eggs were individually weighed and graded into three groups: heavy (11.5-12.4g), medium (10.5-11.4g), and light (9.5-10.4g) inside each genetic group. The results of the statistical analysis showed a significant effect (p?0.05) of the genetic group (feather color), egg weight and their interaction on the productive performance during the total breeding period.The brown birds had significantly higher values of body weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics and better feed conversion ratio in all analyzed weeks. The birds which hatched from heavy eggs showed higher value of body weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics, feed consumption and better feed conversion ratio. Brown birds which hatched from heavy eggs had higher value of body weight, weight gain and carcass characteristics, while brown birds which hatched from medium eggs had better feed conversion ratio. We can therefore consider brown quail as the best for fattening purposes