In Pakistan, the low live and dressed market weights in Japanese quails has been one of the significant problems badly influencing future development in quail production. No serious attempts have yet been made in the country to improve body weight and meat yield in local quails. The present study of one year duration was therefore, planned at Avian Research and Training (ART) Centre, Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate productive performance, egg quality, hatching performance, slaughter characteristics and blood biochemical profile in four close-bred flocks of Japanese quails with different body weights and examine its effect on the subsequent progeny growth. For this purpose, a total of 432 (108 males and 324 females) adult quails were randomly picked up from 4 close-bred flocks maintained at ART Centre and then were divided into 108 experimental units/ replicates (comprising 1 male and 3 females each). These experimental units were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups, having 4 close-bred flocks (imported, local 1, local 2, and local 3) x 3 female body size (heavy, medium and small) with randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial arrangements having 9 replicates in each treatment.
The experimental quails were maintained under standard management conditions in individual compartments in multi-deck cages equipped with separate nipple drinkers and were fed ad-libitum with a quail breeder ration prepared according to NRC standards. The weekly data on productive performance (body weight, egg production and feed intake) were recorded. Feed conversion ratio (g feed/egg and g feed/g egg mass) was worked out. Egg quality characteristics (egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, haugh unit, yolk index, and blood and meat spots) and hatching traits (dead germ percent, dead in shell percent, infertile egg percent, hatchability percent and mal-positions) were recorded. At the termination of the experiment, two breeder quails from each experimental unit (one male and one female each) were randomly picked up and were slaughtered to record the slaughtering traits (live and dressed weight, dressing percentage, weight of giblets and other visceral organs). Proximate composition (crude protein, ether extract, dry matter and ash contents) of thigh and breast meat was determined. Blood samples from each group were analyzed for blood serum glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol and urea. Blood macro mineral profile for plasma calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) was determined.
The eggs from each replicate were collected and separately incubated on fortnightly basis to study 3 weeks progeny growth performance (average weight of day-old quail chicks, weekly body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (feed/g gain) and mortality rate). At the end of 3rd week, 2 quails (one male and one female each) from each experimental unit were picked up randomly and were slaughtered to record slaughtering traits (slaughter and dressed weight, dressing percentage, weight of giblets and visceral organs). Economics of quail production up to 3 weeks was worked out.
The data thus collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique with randomized complete block design (RCBD) under factorial arrangement for further interpretation using general linear model (GLM) procedures (SAS, 9.1 version). The comparison of means was made using Duncan's Multiple Range (DMR) test.
6.1. Parent breeder flock
In the present study of 31 weeks duration, imported flock of Japanese quails gained significantly higher body weight than local flocks. With respect to body size categories, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in their mean body weight. The interaction between flocks and body size was also observed to be significant (p<0.05). The heavy weight quails had maximum body weight followed by that of medium and small size quails.
The difference in mean egg production percentage, egg number and feed conversion ratio (g feed/egg) were not significant, whereas, egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 4 close-bred flocks of Japanese quails. Mean feed conversion ratio (g feed/g egg mass) in imported and local-3 flocks of Japanese quails was significantly (p<0.05) different from other local flocks. The body weight categories had significant (p<0.05) effect on egg production percentage, egg number, feed conversion ratio (g feed/egg) and egg weight, however, their effect was not significant on egg mass. The interaction between flocks and body size showed a similar trend. The mortality remained nil in the experimental breeder quails during this study.
The significant (p<0.05) differences were noted in egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, yolk index, dead germ, infertile egg and hatchability percent, whereas, haugh unit value was not significantly different in all the close-bred flocks of Japanese quails. The dead in shell percent in different close-bred flocks was significantly (p<0.05) different in all the parental groups except in H male x H female, M male x H female, S male x M female and S male x S female. With respect to body size categories, differences for egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, yolk index, haugh unit value, dead germ, infertile egg and hatchability percent were significant (p<0.05). The interaction between flocks and body size was significant in respect of all the above egg quality and hatching traits. Blood and meat spots were found nil and no mal-positions were noted.
The minimum dead germ percent was recorded in local-2 and local-3 flocks in S male x H female, however, the highest hatchability percent was recorded in M male x S female parent of local-3 flock. The significant (p<0.05) effect of parental body weight on dead in shell percent was recorded in H male x M female (in imported, local-1 and local-2 flocks), H male x S female (in imported and local-1 flocks), M male x M female (imported and local-1 flocks), M male x S female (imported and local-1 flocks), S male x H female (imported and local-1 flocks).
The dressed weight (g) in imported and local flocks of Japanese quails was significantly (p<0.05) different in female quails, whereas, dressing percentage in imported and local flocks of male Japanese quails was not significantly different. With respect to body size categories, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference for dressed weight and dressing percentage in both the sexes.
The imported flock of male Japanese quails was significantly (p<0.05) different from all the other local flocks in relative weight of gizzard (with and without contents) .Imported and all the local flocks of Japanese quails were not significantly different in their relative weight of liver in both the sexes. The relative weight of heart and mean weight of intestine in local-3 flock of male Japanese quails were significantly (p<0.05) different, whereas, female birds were not significantly different in this respect from all the local and imported flocks. With respect to body size categories, relative weight of heart, liver, gizzard and intestines in both the sexes were not significantly different. The interaction between flocks and body size was not significant for liver weight, whereas, it was significant (p<0.05) for heart, gizzard and intestinal weight only in male quails.
The intestinal length and testes weight in male and mature ovarian follicle number and reproductive tract weight in female quails were not significantly different in imported and local flocks. With respect to body size categories, differences in mean length of intestine and mean weight of testes were not significant in male quails. The similar non-significant difference in reproductive tract weight and number of mature ovarian follicles was recorded in female quails. The interaction between flocks and body size for intestinal length, reproductive tract and testes weight was not significant, whereas, it was significant (p<0.05) for reproductive tract length.
The crude protein and ether extract percent in breast meat of male and female Japanese quails were not significant. With respect to body size categories, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in percent crude protein in female quails, whereas, similar trend for ether extract was observed only in male quails. The dry matter percent in breast meat of Japanese quails was significantly (p<0.05) different only in male quails. With respect to body size categories, mean dry matter percent was not significantly different in both the sexes. The interaction between flocks and body size was not significant for crude protein and ether extract, whereas, it was significant (p<0.05) for dry matter percent in both the sexes of quails.
Ash percent in breast meat was not significantly different in male quails, whereas, it was significantly (p<0.05) different in female quails. The ash percent in breast meat and ash and crude protein percent in thigh meat in male and female quails were significantly different among imported and local flocks With respect to body size categories, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in ash percent in breast meat in female, whereas, difference was noted in ash and crude protein percent in thigh meat in both the sexes of quails was not significant. The interaction between flocks and body size was also non-significant for these components in thigh meat.
The difference in dry matter percent in thigh meat of local -1 male flock was significant (p<0.05) from local-2 and local-3 flocks, whereas, female quails were not significantly different in this respect. With respect to body size categories, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in mean dry matter percent in male quails. Ether extract percent in thigh meat was significantly different between male and female quails. With respect to initial body size categories, ether extract percent was not significantly different in both the sexes. The interaction between flocks and body size was significant (p<0.05) in both sexes of quails for dry matter and ether extract percent.
The mean serum glucose level in male and female quails was not significantly different among imported and local flocks. With respect to body size categories, a non-significant difference was noted in serum glucose levels. The interaction between flocks and body sizes was also not significant. The total serum protein level was significantly different in both the sexes of imported and local flocks, whereas, serum cholesterol and serum albumin levels were significantly different only in female quails of imported and local flocks. Serum urea concentration was significantly (p<0.05) different only in male quails of imported and local flocks. However, with respect to body size categories, serum protein, cholesterol, albumin and urea levels were not significantly different in both the sexes of quails. The interaction between flocks and body size was significant for serum protein and urea in both the sexes of quails. However, this interaction in respect of serum cholesterol was significant only in male quails, whereas, it was significant for serum albumin only in females.
The difference in mean plasma calcium and sodium levels in male and female quails of imported and local flocks of Japanese quails was not significant. With respect to body size categories, mean plasma calcium level in both the sexes of quails was not significantly different, however, plasma sodium concentration was significantly (p<0.05) different only in female quails. The interaction between flocks and body size for plasma calcium levels was significant (p<0.05) in both the sexes of quails, whereas, for plasma sodium it was significant (p<0.05) only in female quails. The mean plasma phosphorus and potassium levels in imported and local flocks of Japanese quails were significantly (p<0.05) different only in female quails, whereas, plasma magnesium was significantly (p<0.05) different only in male quails. However, with respect to body size categories, plasma phosphorus, potassium and magnesium were significantly (p<0.05) different in female quails only. The interaction between flocks and body size was significant for potassium and phosphorus in female quails only, whereas, it was also significant for plasma magnesium levels in both the sexes of quails
6.2. Progeny flock
In the present study different parental body weight categories significantly (p<0.05) affected day-old, 1st, 2nd and 3rd week progeny body weight in Japanese quails. The heavy male parents had apparently more pronounced effect on day-old and 1st week progeny body weight, however, the results were not significant in all close-bred flocks. The results indicated significant (p<0.05) effect of male parent body weight on 1st week progeny body weight in Japanese quails. The progeny day-old and 1st week progeny body weights in different close-bred flocks were not significantly different from each other. The interaction between parental body weight and close-bred flocks was not significant for day-old body weight.
The cumulative body weight gain in quail progenies from different close-bred flocks were significantly (p<0.05) different in all the parental groups. The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05). Effect of different parental body size on 1st, 2nd, 3rd week and cumulative progeny body weight gain was significant (p<0.05). The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05) for progeny cumulative weight gain.
In the present study, 1st, 2nd, 3rd week and cumulative progeny feed intake and feed conversion ratio-FCR (feed/g gain) were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by parental body size of Japanese quails. The interaction between parental body weight and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05) for weekly and cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio-FCR (feed/g gain) in the progeny. A significant (p<0.05) effect of different parental groups on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and cumulative progeny mortality rate (%) was recorded with significant (p<0.05) interaction between parental body weight and close-bred flocks.
Different parental body size significantly (p<0.05) influenced progeny slaughter weight, dressed weight and dressing percentage at 3rd week in 4 close-bred flocks of Japanese quails. The slaughter weight (g) in different close-bred flocks in male progeny quails from all the parental groups differed significantly (p<0.05) except in M male x M female and S male x H female, M male x S female and S male x M female parents. The slaughter weight (g) in different close-bred flocks in female progeny in all the parental groups was significantly (P<0.05) different except in H male x H female, M male x H female and M male x S female. The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05) in both the sexes. The dressing percentage between different close-bred flocks was significantly (p<0.05) different in female progeny group. The dressing percentage between different close-bred flocks was significantly (p<0.05) different in the male progeny group, whereas, M male x H female, M male x M female, S male x M female and S male x S female were not significantly different. The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05).
The relative weights (g/100g BW) of liver, heart and gizzard in the progeny was found to be significantly (p<0.05) influenced by parental body size in different close-bred flocks of Japanese quails. The liver weight in female progeny of different close-bred flocks in all the parental groups differed significantly (p<0.05) except from H male x S female, M male x S female and S male x M female parent groups. The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05) for different organ weights. The heart weight in female progeny in different close-bred flocks in all the parent groups was significantly (p<0.05) different. The relative weight of gizzard in different close-bred male and female progenies of quails were significantly (p<0.05) different from all the parental groups. The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05). The intestinal length in the progeny was influenced (p<0.05) by different parental groups in close-bred flocks of Japanese quails. The intestinal length in female quails in different close-bred flocks was significantly (p<0.05) different in all the parental groups except from H male x M female, H male x S female parent groups. The interaction between parental body weight and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05). A higher profit margin was recorded in progeny quails hatched from heavy imported parent flock.
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6.3. CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions have been formulated.
i. Parent breeder flock
a. Effect of close-bred flocks
i. Imported flock of quails had significantly (p<0.05) better egg production percentage, egg weight, yolk index, feed conversion ratio-FCR (g feed/g egg mass), shell weight and dressing yield. Feed conversion ratio (g feed/egg) and egg mass were significantly (p<0.05) better in local-1 and local-3 flocks, respectively. Egg shell thickness and haugh unit were better in local-2 flock.
ii. Final live body weight was higher in female than male quails and it was also better in local-1 male quails than in other close-bred flocks.
iii. Reproductive tract weight and length and mature ovarian follicle numbers were higher in imported flock. Significant variation was recorded in relative weight of giblets, testes and intestines and intestinal length among different close-bred flocks.
iv. The imported male flock had significantly (p<0.05) higher crude protein, dry matter and ash contents in breast and thigh meat.
v. The mean serum glucose and cholesterol concentrations in local-1 male flock and mean serum albumin and urea levels in local-3 male flock were higher; however, total serum protein was also higher in male imported flock than in other local flocks.
vi. Plasma phosphorus and potassium concentrations were not significantly different in male parents, whereas, plasma magnesium concentration was not significantly different in female parents. Plasma calcium was significantly (p<0.05) different in both the sexes.
b. Effect of body size
i. Egg production percentage, feed conversion ratio (FCR), fertility and hatchability percent, reproductive tract weight and length, mature ovarian follicle number and gizzard weight were better in small parents in comparison to medium and heavy parents, whereas, better egg weight and egg quality traits were recorded in heavy quail parents. Dressed weight and dressing percentage were higher in heavy female parents than in medium and small quails.
ii. Crude protein and ether extract contents in breast and thigh meat were higher in heavy female parents, whereas, ash content was higher in thigh meat of heavy female parents.
iii. The higher concentrations of serum glucose, total protein, albumin and cholesterol in heavy male quails were detected, whereas, serum urea was higher in medium female parents.
iv. Plasma macro minerals profile for all the parameters studied was not significantly different in male parents, whereas, plasma calcium (Ca) was not significantly different in both the sexes.
6.3.2. Progeny flock
a. Effect of close-bred flocks
i. The day-old and subsequent weekly body weights/weight gain and feed intake were higher in imported than in local flocks. The lower feed intake and better feed conversion ratio-FCR (feed/g gain) and higher mortality rate were recorded in local-3 as compared to other flocks.
ii. Dressed weight and dressing percentage were higher in male progeny of imported flock. The liver, heart and gizzard weights were higher in local-2 and local 3 male flocks, whereas, higher weight of intestine was recorded in local-1 male flock. Significant variation in carcass traits between different close-bred flocks was observed.
iii. The highest final return per bird of Rs. 5.64 was observed in local-1 flock followed by imported, local-3 and local-2 flocks (Rs. 5.41, 5.15 and 5.14, respectively).
b. Effect of parent body size
i. The progeny secured from heavy male parent had higher hatch weight, body weight, weight gain, feed intake, dressed weight and dressing percentage than those hatched from medium and small male parents, showing more pronounced effect of male parent on progeny growth and on almost all the other parameters.
ii. The liver and gizzard weight and intestinal length were higher in quail progenies secured from small parents than from heavy and medium parents.
iii. The highest final return per quail (Rs. 5.92) was recorded in medium weight parent followed by heavy and small parents (Rs. 5.25 and 4.90, respectively).
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SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Research
The findings of the present study may be helpful in setting up production standards in local quails to be further used as base line data by the research workers and quail breeders for formulating viable future strategy of quail breeding at national level.
Extension
For the future national quail breeding programs, use of heavy male parents for crossing with medium or small female parents may be considered for better progeny meat yield and higher egg production in the female quail parents.
Considerable variations in body weight and other carcass characters in our local quail flocks recorded during the course of this study indicate possibility of further improving their genetic potential.
Further research work is needed for improving genetic potential of our local quail stocks.