Dauda, G., Momoh, O., DIM, N., OGAH, D. (2014). GROWTH, PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) IN HUMID ENVIRONMENT. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 34(2), 381-395. doi: 10.21608/epsj.2014.5352
G Dauda; O M Momoh; N I DIM; D M OGAH. "GROWTH, PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) IN HUMID ENVIRONMENT". Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 34, 2, 2014, 381-395. doi: 10.21608/epsj.2014.5352
Dauda, G., Momoh, O., DIM, N., OGAH, D. (2014). 'GROWTH, PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) IN HUMID ENVIRONMENT', Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 34(2), pp. 381-395. doi: 10.21608/epsj.2014.5352
Dauda, G., Momoh, O., DIM, N., OGAH, D. GROWTH, PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) IN HUMID ENVIRONMENT. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 2014; 34(2): 381-395. doi: 10.21608/epsj.2014.5352
GROWTH, PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) IN HUMID ENVIRONMENT
1Dep. of Anim. Breeding and Physiology, College of Anim. Science, Univ. of Agric., Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
21Dep. of Anim. Science, Fac. of Agric., Nasarawa State Univ. Keffi
Abstract
This study was undertaken on Japanese quails to evaluate their growth, production and reproductive performance in a Humid environment of central Nigeria. One hundred and sixty nine (169) pedigrees hatched day-old Japanese quail chicks from 10 sires were used for this study. The traits studied include body weight, morphological traits, feed and reproductive traits. Results show that hatch weight and mature body weight of Japanese quails were 5.74±1.10g and 89.81±1.20g, respectively. At maturity, mean shank length, body length, wing length and breast girth were 3.93±0.15, 18.0±0.16, 15.00±0.17 and 6.51±0.07cm, respectively. Growth rate was highest (3.02±0.11g) at 4-5 weeks of age. Feed intake increased with age from 3.12±0.09g (week 0-1) to 15.16±0.08g at 5-6 weeks while feed conversion ratio was best (3.01±0.18g) at 1-2 weeks. Mortality decreased with age. Mean age at sexual maturity (AFE), was 54.49±0.20 days while body weight at first egg (BWFE) and weight of first egg were 138.91±0.64 and 7.83±0.08g, respectively. Hen-day and Hen-house egg production were 25.77 and 17.57%, respectively at the 3rd month of lay while part-period egg number was 62.43±0.23 eggs per hen. Percentage mean fertility was 80.72±1.03 while that of the hatchability of eggs was 70.48±1.74. It was concluded that given the productive and reproductive estimates, Japanese quail can serve as an alternate livestock species that can ameliorate shortage of protein intake in environment studied.
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