The effects of parent weight on some growth performance in Japanese quail

This study was planned to determine the effects of different broodstock weights on some yield characteristics in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The 460 day-old quail chicks used in the research were raised in brood rearing cages for the first two weeks and in rearing cages for 2-5 weeks, and at the end of the fifth week, they were divided into heavy (>310), medium (290-310) and light (<290) weights according to their live weight. They were divided into 3 groups and placed in breeding cages with three replicates in each group. The trial lasted 25 weeks. Quails were given feed and water ad-libitum throughout the experiment. During the 5-week growing period, 24 hours of natural + artificial lighting was applied, and during the spawning period, it was adjusted to 16 hours of light/8 hours of darkness. Broiler chick feed containing 22% crude protein and 3000 kcal/kg ME was given during the growing period, and egg feed containing 17% crude protein and 2750 kcal/kg ME was given during the laying period. Maturity weight, egg production, egg weight, egg quality (shape index, shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit, albumen pH, yolk color) in parents selected for breeding according to three different weight groups (heavy, medium and light). ) and hatching performance were discussed. The average live weight of the parents was determined as 331,44 g in the heavy group, 303,81 g in the medium group and 279,43 g in the light group. An increase in egg yield was observed as the weeks progressed in all three groups, and the peak productivity period was observed as the 10th week in the heavy and light groups and the 13th week in the medium group. The overall average egg yield at 20 weeks was determined as 57,21±3.58% in the heavy group, 73,83±4.09% in the medium group, and 70,62±4.17% in the light group (P<0.05). The overall egg weight average of the groups was 13,38±1.22 g in the heavy group and 13.00±0.78 g in the medium group, while this value was measured as 12,58±0.71 g in the light group (P<0.05). Broodstock weight had no effect on internal and external egg quality criteria (P>0.05). In heavy, medium and light groups, hatchability is 58,94%, 71,61% and 73,95%, fertility rate is 81%, 87,59% and 90,66%, and hatchability is 72,37%, 81,13%, respectively. and measured as 81,28% (P<0.05). As a result, it was determined that broodstock body weight did not make a significant difference in egg quality in quails, while its effect on egg production, egg weight and hatching performance was significant.