Sex Differentiation of Body Weight in Japanese Quails(Coturnix japonica), Post Sexual Maturity

Abstract

The Research was carried out to compare weights of male and female Japanese quails post sexual maturity. The birds were housed in individual cages of 35cm x 35cm and 35cm high (1 male to 1 female) at FUTO research farm for a period of fourteen weeks. A total of 108 birds (54 males and 54 females) were used for the study. The birds were fed with commercial feed (top feed, layer’s ration) for the period of the study (i.e. from 8 weeks old to 21 weeks old). Feed and water were provided for the birdsad libitum while body weight data were collected on aweekly basis. Data collected were analyzed. The analysis of weekly body weight data revealed significant changes in the mean body weights of the quails throughout the study. It also showed that the female quails were heavier than the males.For the male quails mean body weight ranged from 131.62g ±2.58 at 8 weeks old to 147.46g±1.2 at 21 weeks old while it ranged from 143.26g ±2.98 to 161.86g ±2.61 respectively for the females thereby suggesting more quantity meat.