ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different body weight of groups (below 120g and above 120g) and feed quantity (25g and 30g) on performance and egg quality characteristics of Japanese quail birds at six weeks of age. A total of 120 Japanese quails were allocated to four groups with respect to live weight and feed quantity, using completely randomized. design in a factorial arrangement, each group consisting of three replicates. The study period lasted for 10 weeks. Data collected on body weight, feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion ratio and egg quality parameters were subjected to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model of SAS, Results showed that differences in the initial live weight at the beginning of experiment significantly affected the final body weight, egg weight, egg mass and hen housed egg production. Average feed intake, feed cost per kilogram of feed, Feed conversion ratio and hen-day egg production were not significant. Effect of differences in feed quantity was significant (P<0.001) only on feed intake and feed cost per kilogram. The interaction effect of initial body weight and feed quantity was significant on average feed intake, average body weight gain, average egg weight, feed cost per kilogram and hen housed egg production. For egg quality parameters, difference in initial body weight significantly (P<0.05) affected only egg weight, egg length, egg width and yolk weight while difference in feed quantity affected only yolk height and yolk index. The interaction between initial body weight of groups and feed quantity was not significant on all egg quality parameters. It is concluded that initial body weight of 120g and above at onset of lay and minimum of 25g of feed will be sufficient for egg production in quails.