Evaluation of Growth Performance and Egg Quality Traits in Two Strains of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

A 14 week study was conducted at the teaching and research farm, Department of Animal
Science A.B.U Zaria, using 240 two weeks old Japanese quails belonging to two strains
(black strain n=120 and brown strain n=120). The aim was to evaluate the effect of strain on
the growth performance and egg quality traits of the Japanese quails kept under similar
nutritional environment. 90 female quails for each strain were mated to 30 males at a mating
ration of 1 male to 3 females. Daily egg collection commenced as from 6 weeks and
terminated at week 14. The first three eggs dropped by each quail hen during 80% egg
production were used for egg quality analysis (internal and external quality). Parameters
considered included body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and Mortality as it
occurred. External and internal egg quality traits were also considered. Data collected were
subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the R Core Team. Result obtained indicated
variations at all ages (week 2, 6, 10 and 14) in body weight, weight gain and mortality in
favor of black strain. Similarly, most of the egg quality traits studied was better in the black
than in the brown strain. It was concluded that the two distinctly different strains of quail
have different rates of growth and egg quality characteristics indicating the possibility of
further improvement in their growth and egg laying performance.