The Differences in Some Production and Clutch Traits in Divergently Selected Japanese Quails

The aim of the research was to investigate the effects of divergent selection on some production and clutch traits in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Over 5 generations divergently selected two Japanese quail lines (HBW: High Body Weight and LBW: Low Body Weight) and control line (C) that derivate from a base random bred population were used in this study. Weight of first egg, age at sexual maturity, body weight at sexual maturity, total egg number, total egg weight, clutch length, clutch number, pause length and pause number were determined. Statistically important relationships were estimated among these studied traits except between average egg weight with age at sexual maturity. The HBW and LBW were differentiated in both body weight and egg yields (number and weight) by selection applications. Averages of the body weight and egg weight increased but the egg numbers decreased for HBW, in contrast for LBW through generations. When clutch number, pause number and pause length increased, total egg number and total egg weight decreased. The results of this study indicated that divergent selection for body weight resulted in important changes on some production and clutch traits in Japanese quails.