CORRELATION COEFFICIENT ON INTERNAL EGG QUALITY PARAMETERS IN JAPANSE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica) FED TWO COMMERCIAL DIETS IN NORTH EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Nigeria; to study the correlation coefficient of internal egg quality parameters in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). The results showed that, there are many significant correlations between most of the traits studied for instance between egg weight and albumen weight, Haugh unit vs albumen thickness and egg weight vs yolk index were, r = 0.300, r = 0.921, r=0.997 and r = 0.481, respectively. However, effects of diets on internal egg quality traits showed significant differences (P<0.05) in yolk height, yolk index, Haugh unit and albumen thickness in the parent stock with respect to the two diets investigated. While in the F1 generation only yolk height, Haugh unit and albumen thickness were significantly (P<0.01) affected by the dietary treatments. There are many significant correlations between many of the traits studied for instance, between egg weight vs albumen weight, feed efficiency vs feed conversion ratio, Haugh unit vs albumen thickness and egg weight vs yolk index. Based on the results obtained, the productivity of quails in the study area is appreciable compared to the level obtained elsewhere. It is therefore recommended that improvement in the genetic make-up and the diets will go a long way towards improving their productivity.