Comparison of Six-Week Growth Performance in Four Different Strains of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The present study was conducted to investigate the six-week growth performance in four different strains of Japanese quails maintained at Avian Research and Training Centre, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. For this purpose, 2160 newly hatched quail chicks wererandomly picked up from available stock and then placed into 108 experimental units (replicatescomprising 20 chicks each). Growth parameters i.e. weekly body weight (g), weight gain (g), timesof weight gain, feed intake (g) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were calculated during the studyperiod. Data were analysed by ANOVA technique and means were compared by using DMR test.The results of the present study showed that the weekly mean body weight (g) of Japanese quail birds obtained from the four strains designating as M, K, S, and Z showed non-significant differences at week 0 and 1, whereas, a significant effect was found at week 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The average weight gain (g) was found non-significant at week 1 and week 6, however, the statistical analysis revealed significant effect from week 2 to 5, respectively. Times of gain were found significant difference at week 1 to 4; however, at week 5 and 6, it was non-significant. Feed intake (g/bird/week) differed significantly during the entire study period, whereas, feed conversion ratio (FCR) at week-4 only. Imported quail strain (M) performed better in almost all the studied parameters than that of other strains of quails.