Heritability Estimates of, Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations among Some Selected Carcass Traits of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Raised in a Sub-humid Climate

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate some selected carcass traits in Japanese quails as well as provide estimates of their heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations among them. A total of 389 quails were slaughtered at 8 weeks of age. Sex significantly (P<0.05) influenced most carcass traits evaluated. The Japanese quails dressed at an average dressing percentage of 72.36. The heritability estimates of carcass traits derived from the sire variance components varied from low to high. All the carcass traits (carcass weight, front half of carcass weight, Rear half of carcass weight, breast weight, thigh weight, liver weight, heart weight, gizzard weight and dressing percentage) studied were positively genetically correlated to pre-slaughter live weight. Phenotypic correlations between pre-slaughter live weight and other carcass traits followed the same trend as for genetic correlation. It was concluded that Japanese quail have high efficiency of meat production and indirect selection could be used to improve the carcass traits studied.

Keywords: Japanese quail, carcass traits, Heritability, Genetic correlation.