Assessment of genetic variations on the carcass quality attributes among three improved varieties of Japanese quail

In order to assess genetic attributes on carcass yield of three varieties of domesticated Japanese quails developed by CARI (CARI-UJJAWAL, CARI-SUNEHERI AND CARI-BROWN) were chosen at random from the base populations and reared in individual cages to maintain sire and dam pedigree record system. Records of 450 progenies from 180 sires and 180 dams of each variety analysis carried using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) animal model. The progenies were exploited to predict the genetic variations in carcass traits at 5^th week of age. Analysis of data revealed that weights of slaughter traits such as carcass, breast, thigh, neck weights and dressing percentage were significantly (p<0.01) differed among the varieties. Sex had a highly significant impact on all the carcass traits (p<0.01). Female birds evinced higher slaughter characteristics for all traits than males. Moderate to high heritability for most of the carcass traits in CARI-SUNEHERI and CARI-UJJAWAL suggested that individual selection will improve the carcass traits. The genetic relationship between slaughter, carcass, and breast weights was found to be moderate to high. Such strong genetic correlations provide an opportunity to choose for breast weight by virtue of 5-week body weight. It could be inferred that carcass weight and body weight at 5-week of age can be included in selection index to raise the weights of carcass cut-offs in Japanese quails.