Effect of some parental and environmental factors on some reproductive traits of Japanese quails

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine the influence of parental and environmental factors (body weight, laying period, egg weight and light) on some reproductive characteristics of the Japanese quail. Data pertaining to 2413 eggs obtained from 40 male and 40 female Japanese quails were studied using a logistic regression model. Hatchability was determined to decrease with parent body weights falling below the population mean. Fertility and hatchability were determined to decrease with the ageing of breeder pairs. The relationship between egg weight and fertility was demonstrated to be insignificant, yet the best hatchability was determined in eggs weighing 11-12 grams (P<0.01). Both fertility and hatchability were determined to decrease with increasing light intensity (P<0.01).

Keywords

• Quail, Fertility, Hatchability, Laying period, Light intensity.