Abstract

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of selection for short-term (30 days) egg production trait in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix  japonica) over three generations (G_o, G₁ and G₂). Heritabilities were estimated using the mixed model least squares and maximum likelihood computer programme. Fertility percentages of 76.29, 70.06, and 65.98% and hatchability percentage of 57.89, 63.75 and 69.12% were obtained for G_o, G₁ and G₂ generations, respectively. The average egg weight for G₀, G₁ and G₂ generations were 11.41, 10.84 and 9.33 g, respectively. Body weight at first egg (BWTFE) was 135.61, 150.02 and 154.64 g for the G_o, G₁and G₂ generations respectively. Egg number differed significant (p < 0.05) between generations. Heritability estimates for egg number, egg weight and BWTFE studied were low to moderate and ranged from 0.11 to 0.48. Realized genetic gains of 1.60 and 2.86 eggs were obtained for egg number while realized correlated responses of -0.18 and -1.17 g for egg weight and -6.03 and -15.14 g for BWTFE were obtained respectively in G₀ and G₁ generations. The experiment indicates that mass selection improved egg number in Japanese quail.

Key words: Fertility, hatchability, heritability, realized genetic gain.