REMARKABLE CORRELATION OF NON-GENETIC FACTORS WITH GROWTH TRAITS IN TWO BREEDS OF SHEEP

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the line of Japanese quails on several production traits of 800 hatched eggs in three populations differ in plumage color, Brown-line (n = 300), Black-line (n = 220), and White-line (n = 280). Variables growth traits were examined on weekly intervals, namely live body weight (LBW), egg weight (EW), egg numbers (EN), hen day production (HD%), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the entire investigated period. Results indicated the presence of a significant effect of the studied lines on the majority of investigated traits. Concerning LBW, Black-line showed higher values than Brown and White lines respectively, in the last three weeks of measurements. Concerning EW, no obvious superiority was recorded for each investigated line except for the 10thweek, in which significant (P<0.01) higher values of Brown-line were observed over the other two lines. Meanwhile, Brown-line had exhibited significantly (P<0.01) higher EN and HD% values over Black and White lines, respectively. On the contrary, FCR in White-line scored higher values starting from the 10th week to the end of the experiment (12thweek) than Black and Brown lines, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the obvious superiority of Brown-line over Black and White lines in the egg production traits measured. Since Black-line showed relatively higher values in LBW, we may suggest it for meat production. Meanwhile, Brown-line is the best-suited population for egg production. The observed data can be used by breeders in the large-scale egg production purposes of Japanese quails.