CONSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION OF SELECTION INDICES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF BODY WEIGHTS IN BROWN STRAIN OF JAPANESE QUAIL

Abstract

A total of 56 selection indices were computed in Brown strain of Japanese quail based on the body weights at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of age with its dams AFE, dams EP16, dams EW16 and dams EM16. The aggregate genetic gain (δH) expected from the selection indices constructed with dams performance, of body weights at different ages ranged from 0.28 to 90.22, 0.71 to 99.58, 0.69 to 90.27 and 1.69 to 65.99 respectively. The egg mass is repeated in all the indices combinations. The heritability of the indices under the study was observed to be ranged from 0.03 to 0.89. The ideal indices identified were I₅₂, expected to reduce the body weight by 0.11 g, but increase the egg production by 2.50 eggs and eggmass by1.83 g.