PROGENY GROWTH PERFORMANCE AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT PARENTAL BODY WEIGHTS IN FOUR CLOSE-BRED FLOCKS OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA).

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different parental body weights on 3-weeks progeny growth performance in four close-bred flocks of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 432 adult (12 weeks-old) quails, comprising 108 males and 324 females were randomly divided into 108 experimental units in 1:3 male to female ratio. These experimental units were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups having 4 close-bred flocks (imported, local-1, local-2 and local-3) × 3 female body weights (heavy 300-350g, medium 250-300g and small 200- 250g) with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in factorial arrangements having 9 replicates in each treatment. The different parental body weight categories significantly (p<0.05) affected day-old, 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks progeny body weight in Japanese quails. The heavy male parents had apparently more pronounced effect on day-old and 1st week progeny body weight. The cumulative progeny body weight gain in quails of different close-flocks differed significantly (p<0.05) in all the parental groups. The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant (p<0.05). Effect of different parental body size on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week cumulative progeny body weight gain, feed intake, FCR and mortality rates were also significant (p<0.05). The interaction between parental body size and close-bred flocks was significant for these parameters. In conclusion, progeny secured from heavy male parent had higher hatch weight, body weight, weight gain and feed intake than those hatched from medium and small male parents, showing more pronounced effect of male parent on progeny growth performance and on almost all the other parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]