Interaction of sixth-week body weight and lay-period on egg production and quality of Coturnix coturnix japonica (Japanese quail) layers

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The joint influence of the 6 th week body weight (point of lay) and lay-period on quail egg production and quality was investigated in Ikole, Nigeria. One hundred and eighty quail birds at six weeks, point of lay, were randomized into three body weight treatments (123-130, 131-137, 138-144, g), each treatment consisting of six replicates, of ten birds each. All replicates were fed common diets from 6 th week to 15 th week. Body weight, feed intake, egg production, internal and external egg quality traits were recorded throughout the period by standard experimental procedures. Data were analysed using the 2-way ANOVA procedure based on factorial treatment design, using body weight as factor-1 and lay-period (6-8, 9-11, 12-15, weeks) as factor-2 in order to generate the interaction effect. Analytical procedures included the General Linear Model (GLM), Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and regression procedures. Average body weight (ABW), egg height (EHT), egg surface area (ESA), albumen quality index (AQI), yolk quality index (YQI) and Haugh unit (HUT) were significantly ( p = 0.036-0.050) influenced by interaction of 6th-week body weight and lay-period. A target minimum sexual maturity body weight target of 131g at 6th week is recommended for high egg production and breeding in tropical environment.