Combining abilities for body weights in a 3X3 diallel cross of meat and egg type Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

摘要

In an attempt to produce dual purpose birds suitable for farmers in rural areas, crosses among egg and meat lines and a German line were made using 90 females and 30 males of each line. Each male was mated with 3 females. 914 chicks were produced from 2 hatches. It was found that, in general, meat line and egg type quail males crossed with females of the German line produced birds with the highest body weight at all ages (hatching and at 4, 5 and 6 weeks of age).