In vivo estimation of carcass components from live body measurements of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica)

摘要

Breast and thigh weights of mature Japanese quails were estimated in vivo from live body measurements using regression equations. Mean live weight obtained in this study was 113.16g while breast and thigh percent were 34.40 and 24.02%. Live weight(r = 0.85 and 0.78 ), chest girth(r = 0.63 and 0.60 ) and chest width(r = 0.62 and 0.60 ) had high, positive and significant (P0.01) with breast and thigh percents. Equations D (R² = 0.83, MS_E = 4.95, SD_E = 2.22), I (R² = 0.85, MS_E = 4.89 SD_E = 2.22), J (R² = 0.85, MS_E = 5.05, SD_E = 2.24) and K (R² = 0.87, MS_E = 4.97, SD_E = 2.23) for breast weight estimation and 4 (R² = 0.68, MS_E = 2.29, SD_E = 1.51), 6 (R² = 0.67, MS_E = 2.29, SD_E = 1.51) and 11 (R² = 0.77, MS_E = 2.24, SD_E = 1.30) for thigh weight estimation had higher R², lower MS_E and SD_E compared to the other equations. Thus, they produced a better goodness of fit and greater accuracy in prediction of carcass components. Under field conditions, depending on the ease of measurement, these equations can be used to predict carcass components.