Effects of mating ratio, housing type and photoperiod on the reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Keywords:
Mating ratio, Housing type, Photoperiod, Egg numberAbstract
The study aimed at understanding the effect of mating ratio, housing type and photoperiod on the reproductive performance of Japanese quails in a twelve - week trial. Five hundred and fifty - two (552) six weeks old Japanese quails (156 males, 396 females) were randomly allocated using Completely randomised design in a 2×3×6 factorial arrangement of housing at 2 levels (deep litter and cage), photoperiod at 3 levels (13L:11D, 15L:9D and 18L:6D) and mating ratio at 6 levels (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6). Mating ratio, housing type and photoperiod had significant (p<0.01) effect on percentage egg number at the 13th, 16th and 18th week of age. The highest percentage egg number were observed with quail reared on deep litter with 1:5 mating ratio, subjected to 15L:9D photoperiod regime at the 13th (97.14%) and 18th (91.43%) week of age while the lowest were observed with quail reared on cage with 1:4 mating ratio, subjected to 13L:11D photoperiod regime at the 13th (2.38%) and 18th (5.95%). Mating ratio, housing type and photoperiod also had significant (p<0.01) effect on egg weight at 10th week of age. The highest egg weight was recorded for quail raised on deep litter with 1:1 mating ratio, subjected to 13L:11D photoperiod regime (10.88g) while the lowest were recorded for quail reared on cage with 1:3 mating ratio, subjected to 13L:11D photoperiod regime (8.88g). Photoperiod had significant (p<0.05) effect on percentage hatch. The highest percentage hatch was observed at 13L:11D (76.66%) while the lowest were recorded at 15L:9D photoperiod regime (66.34%). Housing type had significant (p<0.01) effect on percentage hatchability, hatch and embryonic mortality. Deep litter gave the better performance on the reproductive traits considered. It was concluded that 1:5 mating ratio in combination with 15L:9D photoperiod regime on a deep litter system can give a good reproductive performance.
