Determination of selection criteria of japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica ) with factor analysis

This study was conducted to determinate selection criteria of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with factor analysis that is one of multivariate statistical methods. This study was carried out as two generations in 2013-2014 years at Ahi University Department of Animal Science Poultry Growing Unit. Selection was applied in fourth week of first generation as live weight. Generations were separated 3 groups as weight, moderate and light. Morphological characteristics were investigated for 6 weeks in these groups. Height from the ground, nail length, beak length, head diameter, wing length, wing width, body diameter, head-to-tail length and body weight were evaluated. In second generation, morphological characters were permanently measurement. Factor analysis was applied on data of getting from Japanese quails. The morphological characteristics were collected under two factors, this factors at least 67 % of the total variance explained were determined. As a result, body weight, height from the ground and head-to-tail length is the most suitable selection criteria were determined. Keywords: Coturnix coturnix japonica, Factor analysis, Japanese quail, Selection Thesis Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ufuk KARADAVUT Number of Pages: 81