Effect of combining ability on four broiler lines of Japanese quail

A 4 x 4 complete diallel was performed involving four broiler lines of Japanese quail viz. Meat type quail (MTQ), German line quail (GLQ), Synthetic line quail (SLQ) and Korean line quail (KLQ) subjected to long term mass selection for 5^th week body weight and conformation traits. The traits measured were 5^th week body weight and conformation traits namely breast angle, shank length and keel length. The results revealed that general combing ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant for almost all the traits. Similarly, reciprocal effects (RE) were also highly significant for all the traits. The values of GCA, SCA and RE for 5^th week body weight ranged from −10.28 to 4.98, −2.25 to 3.67 and −3.56 to 4.68, respectively. The crossbreds were superior to purebreds for 5^th week body weight and conformation traits. It is evident from reciprocal effects that SLQ and GLQ lines may be used as male lines and MTQ and KLQ as female lines for higher 5^th week body weight. Among all GLQ male and SLQ female lines were adjudged to be the best cross combination for commercial exploitation of 5^th week body weight. It is suggested that to find out the better female lines, the egg production should be recorded along with broiler quail traits. The crossbreeding can be considered for developing quails for commercial exploitation.