Livestock Studies 2008, Vol 48, Num, 2     (Pages: 073-079)

Effects of Genotype and Body Weight on Egg Production and Feed Consumption in Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) in Winter season reared in Antalya Region

Sezai ALKAN 1 ,Kemal KARABAĞ 1 ,Aşkın GALİÇ 1 ,Taki KARSLI 1

1 Akdeniz Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Zootekni Bölümü, 07070 Antalya - In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of genotype and body weight on egg weight, egg number, feed consumption and feed efficiency in Japanese quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) in winter season reared in Antalya region. The material used in this research was obtained from selected 11 generations for four lines: high body weight line, low body weight line, a random bred control line and layer line. The body weights were classified into six groups in terms of their weights as  170.0 g, 170.1 - 210.0 g, 210.1-250.0 g, 250.1-290.0 g, 290.1-330.0 g and > 330.0 g. The egg yield and body weights were recorded during 12 weeks period by weekly. Average egg weight was significantly affected by genotype and the body weight groups (P<0.01). The genotype had no significant effect on weekly egg number and egg weight. However, body weight groups had significant effect on weekly egg number and egg weight. The highest and lowest average egg weight was found in first ( 170.0 g) and sixth (> 330.0 g) body weight groups, respectively. The genotype had significant effects on daily feed consumption and feed efficiency (P<0.01, P<0.05). As a result, body weight had a significant effect on egg yield (number-weight). Keywords : Japanese quails, body weight, egg weight and number, feed efficiency