Correlation and regression of traits associated with age and sex of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix, japonica)

This study was conducted to estimate the correlation and regression coefficient of traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix, japonica) under litter management in respect to age and sex. A total of 250 day old chicks of quail were reared up to seven weeks feeding with locally available commercial feed. Weekly live weight and weight of different body parts just after slaughter were kept on periodic basis. Correlation and regression parameters of those traits were estimated. The average body weight of male and female quail in three different weeks (3rd, 5th and 7th) were 50.7, 103, 136.08 and 56.01, 108.8, 146.32 respectively, which indicated that the female quail were heavier than the male. Weight of different organs and body weight of quail increased gradually with the increased of age. A slight difference was observed in the shank length and beak length in both sexes as a result of increasing age. Weight of abdominal fat was higher in male, while the weight of gastrointestinal tract and liver was higher in female in respect to age. The correlations of body weight with abdominal fat, gastrointestinal tract and liver weight in both sexes of quail at three different weeks were high and positive. The regression model parameters that is intercept and slope and R2 value for male and female were positive. Male quail showed lower values than the females in terms of body weight and liver weight. Male quail also showed higher values than female quail for weight of abdominal fat. However, the higher R2 values indicated the close agreement between male and female in terms of different trait. The outcome of this study will help the farmers and policy makers in making decision for future profitable quail farming in Bangladesh.