The effects of plumage color lines and sex on slaughter weight and carcass parts of Japanese quail

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plumage color lines and sex on slaughter weight and carcass parts of Japanese quail. A total of 80 birds consisting 40 Brown (20 males and 20 females) and 40 Black lines (20 males and 20 females) have been raised under the same condition and they were grouped into four groups, Brown 1 line (B1), Brown 2 line (B2), Black 1 line (L1), and Black 2 line (L2), respectively. After 14 weeks of age, they were slaughtered. Slaughter weight, carcass weight, thighs, drumsticks, wings, breasts, and back were calculated. Furthermore, the data were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) and the differences among lines have been tested using Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT) with 5% of the alpha level. The results found that slaughter weight, thighs, and back were significantly different among quail lines (P<0.05). Slaughter weight was lowest in B1 line and highest in L1 line (135.67 vs 149.85 g). The highest thigh percentage was found in B1 line population while L1 line was the lowest thigh percentage (14.29 vs 13.46%). The B2 line has the highest back part percentage. In addition, sex was significantly affecting carcass parts of Japanese quail (P<0.05). Female quail has more breast, drumstick, and wing parts compared to male quail. On the other hand, male quail has higher thigh percentage than female quail. This study concluded that plumage color affecting slaughter weight, thigh and back of Japanese quail carcass and female quail produced more breast, drumstick, and wings parts of quail carcass.