Evaluating Egg Quality Traits In Different Quail Genetic Patterns In Feather Color

• Samawal Sadi Abdullah Al-Tikriti* | Muhannad Mahdi Abdullah

  Author

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of genotype on some external and internal egg traits of quail. The experiment was conducted in a hall designated for quail rearing, one of the poultry farm ( Department of Animal Production), College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, from 1 September 2024 to 25 November 2024. Birds were reared from 35 days of age, close to the onset of first egg laying, and were divided according to plumage color into two genotypes: brown and sandy. A total of 88 birds was used; within each genotype, males and females were distributed equally as 11 males and 33 females. Birds were allotted uniformly among replicates at a mating ratio of 1 male to 3 females. Egg samples were collected, and quality traits were analyzed 24 hours post-collection. The evaluated parameters included egg weight, shell thickness, relative shell weight, relative albumen weight, relative yolk weight, egg shape index, and both yolk and albumen indices.The results indicated no significant differences between the two genetic groups in egg weight, relative shell weight, egg shape index, and albumen index. However, significant differences were observed in shell thickness, yolk index, and relative albumen weight, suggesting a genetic influence on certain egg quality traits. This study highlights the importance of genetic composition in improving specific egg quality characteristics and supports the potential use of these traits as selection criteria in quail breeding programs aimed at enhancing production efficiency and improving final product quality.

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