Evaluation of performance, quality and quantity of meat, egg production and fertility of some Japanese quail strains

The aim of this study was to compare the performance, quality and quantity of meat and egg production and fertility of seven quail strains (Italian speckled, Wild, Tuxedo, Scarlett, English White, A & M Texas and White Button). For this purpose, 125 Wild, 159 Italian speckled, 58 Scarlet, 56 Tuxedo, 81 English white, 92 A & M Texas and 57 White Button one-day-old chicks were hatched and reared from the first day under the same conditions. To calculate the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of strains, weight and feed intake of all quails were measured from 21 to 35 d of age. At day 42, 10 birds of each strain were randomly slaughtered and after measuring the carcass components, samples of breast and thigh meat were evaluated for their quality and chemical composition. After beginning the egg production, daily egg production was recorded and quality and quantity of egg parameters were recorded and fertility and hatching were evaluated. The results showed that strain had a significant effect on feed intake, weight gain, FCR, culling risk in week 6, oxidative stability of meat on  day 30, drip loss on days 1 and 7, chemical composition of meat (except for ash), quality and quantity of egg parameters (except for albumen height and Haugh unit) (P<0.05). According to the results of this experiment, Wild strain and Tuxedo had the best performance and meat quality, respectively. The highest and the lowest egg production and fertility percentage were observed in English White (84.84 and 75.47%) and White Button strains (74.66 and 64.26%), respectively. In most egg quality parameters, A & M Texas strain was better than other strains. These results suggest that in quail production, suitable strain should be selected based on the purpose of rearing.