Dietary fat supplements influence weight gain and egg production, but not offspring sex ratios in Japanese quail, <i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>

Sex ratio theory suggests that females should bias offspring sex ratios based on maternal condition and the availability of critical food resources. Work in birds indicates do, indeed, according to quality quantity. Yet it is unknown whether these skews occur due fluctuations particular micro‐ or macro‐nutrients, caloric content overall even perception availability. We hypothesized dietary fats may drive biases ratios, because measures often reflect fat reserves, are for process egg‐laying birds. To test this, we provided breeding Japanese quail, a species response condition, with either control diet supplemented two oils (safflower oil flaxseed oil). These were chosen their high omega‐3 omega‐6 fatty acid as well importance mammalian allocation. then measured influences diets offspring, change weight, laying rates female quail. The supplements increased weight gains quail but decreased number eggs laid during experiment. There was no influence ratios. This not be macro‐nutrient involved adjustment