Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Santosh Marandi and Raj Narayan

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the egg production traits of offsprings produced by a complete 4 x 4 diallel cross of Japanese quails. The experiment involved 4 strains namely, Cari-uttam (CU), Cari-ujjwal (CJ), Cari-shweta (CS) and Cari-pearl (CP). A total of 16 genetic groups viz. four purebreds (CU, CJ, CS and CP), six crossbreds (CUxCJ, CUxCS, CUxCP, CJxCS, CJxCP, CSxCP) and six reciprocals (CJxCU, CSxCU, CPxCU, CSxCJ, CPxCJ and CPxCS) were obtained from this cross. Each genetic group was assigned 30 female birds. Breeding parameters like GCA, SCA, Reciprocal effect and heterosis were calculated for egg production characteristics viz, age of first egg, egg production at 8^th, 10^th, 12^th, 15^th, 20^th, 25^th and 30^th weeks of age were recorded. Breeding parameters of egg quality characteristics viz, egg weight, shape index, specific gravity, shell thickness, haugh unit, albumen weight, albumen index, yolk weight, yolk index and yolk color were analyzed on 10^th week of age. GCA values were high for egg production at 8^th, 10^th, 20^th, and 30^th week of age. SCA was highly significant for age of first egg, and all weekly interval egg production except 10^th week. The heterosis value for age at first egg was highest in CUxCJ followed by CSxCP. Heterosis for egg production was higher in CUxCJ across all period except 25^th week of age.