HOME JOURNALS CONTACT

International Journal of Poultry Science

Year: 2013 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 153-156
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2013.153.156
Inheritance of Egg Quality Traits in the Japanese Quail
S.I. Daikwo, N.I. Dim and O.M. Momoh

Abstract: A total of 471 eggs were collected from 205 female Japanese quails at 20 weeks of age in 3 consecutive days. The mixed model least-squares and maximum likelihood computer programme of Harvey (1990) was applied to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of egg quality traits. The heritabilities of egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen width, albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk width and yolk height were 0.37±0.09, 0.15±0.03, 0.40±0.17, 0.46±0.03, 0.52±0.03, 0.23±0.02, 0.27±0.14, 0.30±0.08, 0.11±0.03 and 0.11±0.02, respectively. The genetic correlations among egg quality traits ranged from -0.13 to 0.97. The phenotypic correlation between egg weight and albumen width, albumen height, yolk width and yolk height were positive and significant (P<0.001). The results indicate a Haugh unit that can support embryo development and successful hatching. It also suggests that selection would be effective in improving some egg quality traits.

Fulltext PDF

How to cite this article
S.I. Daikwo, N.I. Dim and O.M. Momoh , 2013. Inheritance of Egg Quality Traits in the Japanese Quail. International Journal of Poultry Science, 12: 153-156.

Keywords: Japanese quail, egg quality, heritability and genetic correlation

REFERENCES

  • Ayorinde, K.L., 1987. Physical and chemical characteristics of the eggs of four indigenous guinea fowl in Nigeria. Nig. J. Anim. Prod., 14: 125-128.


  • Becker, W.A., 1992. Manual of Quantitative Genetics. 5th Edn., Academic Enterpise Pullman, USA., pages: 189


  • Choprakarn K., I. Sala-Ngam and K. Tanaka, 1998. Laying performance, egg characteristics and egg compositions in Thai indigenous hens. J. Nat. Res. Counc. Thailand, 30: 39-58.
    Direct Link    


  • Dafwang, I.I., 2006. Nutrient requirements and feeding regiment in quail production. Proceedings of the National Workshop on Quail Production for Sustainable Protein Intake, September 11-13, 2006, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, pp: 12-19.


  • Garwood, V.A. and K.C. Jr. Diehl, 1987. Body volume and density of live coturnix quail and associated genetic relationships. Poult. Sci., 66: 1264-1271.
    PubMed    


  • Harvey, W.R., 1990. Mixed model least-squares and maximum likelihood computer programme PC-2. Ohio State University, Columbus (Mimeo), USA.


  • Haugh, R.R., 1937. The haugh unit for measuring egg quality. US Egg Poultry Magazine, 43: 522-555, 572-573.


  • Ikeobi, C.O.N., 1998. Estimates of genetic parameters of some performance characters in egg-type chicken. Nig. J. Sci. Tech., 1: 154-160.


  • Kul, S. and I. Seker, 2004. Phenotypic correlations between some external and internal egg quality traits in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Int. J. Poult. Sci., 3: 400-405.
    CrossRef    Direct Link    


  • Narushin, V.G. and M.N. Romanov, 2002. Egg physical characteristics and hatchability. World's Poult. Sci. J., 58: 297-303.
    CrossRef    Direct Link    


  • Oluyemi, J.A. and F.A. Roberts, 2000. Poultry production in Warm wet climate. 2nd Edn., Spectrum Books, Ibadan, Nigeria, Pages: 244


  • Sezer, M., 2007. Heritability of exterior egg quality traits in Japanese quail. J. Appl. Bio. Sci., 1: 37-40.
    Direct Link    


  • Sezer, M., 2008. Heritability of Interior egg quality traits for Japanese quail. Int. J. Nat. Engr. Sci., 2: 77-79.


  • SPSS, 2004. Statistical package for social sciences. Release 14.0 for windows, IL 60611. Chicago.


  • Tsarenko, P.P. and G.M. Kurova, 1989. Quality Control of Chicken Eggs: Effective Technologies of Poultry Production. Agropromizdat, Moscow, Russia, pp: 97-102


  • Zhang, L.C., Z.H. Ning, G.Y. Xu, Z.C. Hou and N. Yang, 2005. Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations of egg quality traits in brown-egg dwarf layers. Poult. Sci., 84: 1209-1213.
    CrossRef    Direct Link    

  • © Science Alert. All Rights Reserved