Comparative study on production performance, egg geometry, quality and hatching traits in four close-bred stocks of Japanese quail

Present study was conducted to compare four close-bred stocks {Major (M), Kaleem (K), Saadat (S) and Zahid (Z)} of Japanese quail at Avian Research and Training Centre, UVAS Lahore for the duration of 4 weeks. For this purpose, 144 birds were equally divided into four experimental groups having 36 birds for each CBS. The data were collected regarding production performance, egg quality, geometry and hatching traits. Statistical analysis of data in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) through one way ANOVA technique and comparison of mean by using Duncan’s Multiple Range test with the help of SAS 9.1 revealed significant differences among feed intake / bird (g), body weight (g), production %, FCR / g egg mass, average egg weight (g), surface area (cm2), volume (cm3), shell thickness (mm), Haugh unit, hatchability, fertility and infertile egg % whereas livability, yolk index, shape index, dead germ and dead in shell % remained non-significant throughout the experimental period.