Estimation of genetic parameters for body weight gain and feed efficiency traits in Japanese quail

This study was done in order to estimate genetic parameters of growth and feed efficiency traits in Japanese quail. The data set consisted of 7762 records for feed efficiency traits and 12113 records for body weight gain traits were collected at Research Center of Special Domestic Animals, University of Zabol. The following traits including body weight gain from 20 to 25, 25-30, 30-35, 35-40, 40-45 and from 0 to 45 days of age, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake from 20 to 45 days of age were evaluated. The genetic parameters were estimated through single and bivariate animal models via Gibbs sampling method. Heritability estimates for body weight gain varied from 0.02 to 0.23 and for feed intake, feed conversion ratio, residual feed intake was in ranges of 0.04 to 0.11. Genetic correlations estimates between body weight gain and feed conversion ratio 20-25, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio 25-30, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio 30-35, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio 35-40, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio 40-45 were -0.56, -0.49, -0.57, -0.70 and 0.25 respectively. Considering estimated genetic correlations of this study, we recommend that selection for body weight gain and decrease feed efficiency have potential to improve feed efficiency traits in Japanese quail. It is expected that by selecting for these traits the costs of breeding programs such as feeding and phenotyping would be reduced.